On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 10:41:27 -0500, Dick Marron <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Educate me. I thought that the point of GM-ing rape was to make it self
>pollinating>

I'm somewhat familiar with GMO's, and the only commercially available 
genetic modifications that I'm aware of are the addition of Bt and round-up-
ready genes.  The Bt is a pesticide (normally/naturally produced by some 
bacteria) that the plant then manufactures.  Round-up is a broad spectrum 
herbicide and the round-up-ready genetic modification makes plants immune 
to the herbicide, so that farmers can spray a whole field with herbicide, 
theoretically killing everything but the GM crop.  

There may very well be some other commercially available genetic 
modifications, but making any plant self-pollinating seems like an unlikely 
trick to accomplish with GM.  Genes can't be "invented" or "customized"; 
they can only be moved around between species, and it's hard for me to see 
where anyone could find a self-pollinating "gene."  Please correct me if 
I'm wrong.

Eric

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---