GM crop efficacy may be jeopardized by pest mutations

Genetic mutations in pests that allow them to develop resistance to genetically-modified (GM) cropsmay be much more diverse in field conditions than in laboratory tests, according to a study. Laboratory tests are commonly used to develop strategies to fight emerging resistance in plant pests but these new discoveries suggest that such testing itself may, in this case, be insufficient.  The newly discovered mutations may also mean that a commonly used strategy for reducing resistance may be less effective than believed, according a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published last month (11 July).

View the original article here: GM crop efficacy may be jeopardized by pest mutations

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