Biopharming reaps fear: The Denver Post

[Ivan Seeking]

A mysterious farmer at a secret location somewhere in northeastern Colorado is expected to plant a corn crop that must never be eaten by humans or animals, must never come in contact with other crops, and is so volatile, a 1-mile buffer must surround it to prevent pollen from contaminating other crops.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~1659809,00.html

[Monique]

Has it ever been proven, or indicated, that genes of microorganisms can be transferred to other organisms in the human bowel? Since the organisms are digested, DNA is degraded and might thus provide a route for bio-engineered genes to find its way from plants to bacteria as a human being as a vector?

[iansmith]

I know bacteria can obtain genetic material from other bacteria in our bowel and integrate it their genome. I don't know if they can acquire genetic material from plant, integrate it into their genome and be able to use it. It migth be possible if the DNA use for GMO was from bacterial origin.

[russ_watters]

I only recently learned about this. Its wonderful, but clearly precautions need to be taken/enforced.