Publication

New genes in traditional seed systems: diffusion, detectability and persistence of transgenes in a maize metapopulation


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Gene flow of transgenes into non-target populations is an important biosafety concern. The case of genetically modified (GM) maize in Mexico has been of particular interest because of the country’s status as center of origin and landrace diversity. In contrast to maize in the U.S. and Europe, Mexican landraces form part of an evolving metapopulation in which new genes are subject to evolutionary processes of drift, gene flow and selection. There has been little study into the population genetics of transgenes under traditional seed management. Here, we combine recently compiled data on seed management practices with a spatially explicit population genetic model to evaluate the importance of seed flow as a determinant of the long-term fate of transgenes in traditional seed systems. Our results have important implications concerning the feasibility of long term transgene monitoring and control in traditional seed systems.

Author: van Heerwaarden, J.; Ortega del Vecchio, D.; Alvarez-Buylla, E.R.; Bellon, M.R.

Journal or Series: PLoS ONE
No. Vol.7(10)
Publication Year: 2012
Pages: e46123
Format: PDF
Language: EN

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