Seed contamination 3922587 176468480 2007-12-07T23:44:13Z Cgingold 2013997 /* References */ correct category [[Image:Flax seeds.jpg|265px|right|thumb|Foreign seeds can be caught anywhere, including these harvested flax seeds]] '''Seed contamination''' is the mixing of [[seeds]] used for [[agriculture]] with other seeds which are not desirable or [[soil]] (which may carry seeds). An example would be mixing [[maize|corn]] seed with [[weed]] seed. These contaminant seeds can be either common [[weed]]s or other [[Crop (agriculture)|crop]] seeds. In [[genetic engineering]], '''seed contamination''' may refer to unwanted [[gene]]s found in a seed, or pieces of [[DNA]] from other genetically engineered seeds. == Contamination in Genetic Engineering == [[Contamination]] in this area is most likely caused by other genetically engineered seeds [[pollinate|cross pollinating]] with unchanged seeds. The new seeds that are produced will have significantly altered [[DNA]] than the parent seed. This [[mutation]] could potentially then be passed down for [[generation]]s. It is possible that the alterations could affect plant growth and development. == Prevention == Preventing seed contamination in agriculture is fairly hard, almost impossible. Better [[machines]] constantly help to reduce the number of foreign seeds gathered. [[Image:Modern-tractor.jpg|265px|right|thumb|Machines, such as this tractor, help gather seeds. As they improve, the amount of foreign seeds they may pick up decreases.]] Preventing seed contamination in [[genetic engineering]] is simply a matter of separating "pure" seeds from contaminated ones. This will keep a supply of unaltered seeds for future use. If they are allowed to cross [[pollinate]], it is possible that the altered traits will be passed down. [[Government]] agencies, especially within the [[United States]], are setting up programs to stop seed contamination from [[genetic engineering]]. The [http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/genetic_engineering/faqs-seed-contamination.html#12 ''Gone to Seed''] report lays out a plan to: #Conduct a study to determine the effects, causes, and extent of seed contamination #Change current seed regulations to prevent contamination #Create a "bank" of unaltered seeds == References == *[http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/genetic_engineering/faqs-seed-contamination.html ''Gone to Seed'' report] on seed contamination through genetic engineering *[http://fadr.msu.ru/rodale/agsieve/txt/vol6/6/art7.html Planting Weeds] *[http://www.affa.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=4CBA0435-4584-4106-AFD11C1002242129 Seed Contaminants and Tolerance Tables] * [http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=seeds_tmln&seeds_genetically_modified_crops=seeds_contamination Timeline of GM seed contamination] [[Category:Agronomy]] [[Category:Genetic engineering and agriculture]]