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Many transgenic crops have been genetically engineered to have traits such as herbicide resistance - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 11
Many transgenic crops have been genetically engineered to have traits such as herbicide resistance. In at least four different crops the transgene has been found in ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Many transgenic crops have been genetically engineered to have traits such as herbicide resistance - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Gene flow from the crops to the wild plants
Answer
The most likely reason for the observation that transgenes have been found in nearby wild plant relatives is gene flow. This occurs when pollen from genetically modified crops fertilizes wild plant species, leading to the transfer of transgenic traits. This process may happen via natural mechanisms such as wind or pollinator activity, facilitating the movement of genetic material between cultivated crops and their wild relatives.