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For a while now scientists have been working on creating GM (genetically modified) foods. However now a new find shows that humans aren't the only one's, our Earth has also been creating GM foods. The research group at Lund University say that higher plants are mixing in gene transfer which is mediated by a parasite or pathogen.
After studying a bit on GM foods I have noticed that the debate about this is very heated. People are saying that it is unnatural to mix genes from different species, and say that it will "poison their dinner plates!" However now research shows that genetic modification can occur naturally amongst wild plants.
Further studies of this have shown that, the gene for enzyme PGIC has been transferred into sheep's fescue from some type of meadow grass. Also by looking at the DNA it shows that only some small parts of a chromosome were transferred. This find is the first proven case of a transfer of a gene with known functions from the nucleus of one higher plant to the other.
"Unfortunately, we don't know exactly how the gene jump between the species occurred, which is not surprising as it took place perhaps 700,000 years ago. The most plausible explanation is that the gene was transmitted by a parasite or pathogen, such as a virus, perhaps with the help of a sap-sucking insect," says Professor Bengtsson.
If gene jumps occur naturally between plants that belong to a different species, scientist have had to ask themselves; does this mean that there is no longer any reason to oppose genetically modified crops? According to a scientist working on this the answer is hard to determine, he thinks that the results are interesting and can prove to be important however, they do not say what is right or wrong in a society.
"Many people fear genetically modified foods because the have a fear a an unwanted gene cross fertilizing into nature. This argument does not impress me. I sympathise, however, with the unease over the increased use of patents and monopolising practices in plant breeding. That is why it is so important that free and commercially independent research on plant genetics can be carried out in universities," says Bengt O. Bengtsson.
So the answer is up to you because nature modifies food on its own, should we continue creating genetically modified foods in labs?

Source:

"Spontaneous GMOs in Nature: Researchers Show How a Genetically Modified Plant Can Come about." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 08 Nov. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. .