All,
>Chris asked, "What happens the following years when seed spilled in
>harvesting germinates and is a weed in other crops?  You can't use the
>herbicide to get rid of it."
Lloyd Spear:
>To the best of my knowledge, and I have done a fair amount of reading on the
>subject, these seeds are specifically developed so that the herbicide
>resistance will not continue into the 2nd generation.  The idea is that the
>farmer must buy these seeds every year and cannot grow his own.

With genetically modified crops such as soybeans, herbicide resistance is
carried to future generations.  Thus the requirement for growers to sign a
contract, when purchasing seed, agreeing not to save seed for planting the
following year -- a common practice with self pollinating crops such as
soybeans.  A number of suits have been filled (and won) by the
herbicide/seed company (ies) against farmers who have done just that.
Some of the research I have read about recently also indicates that some
crops (canola) may cross with wild or weedy relatives which produces
progeny that have some of these GM traits.
Most of the studies seem to have been done in the greenhouse artificially,
and may not be a problem in the field.
I do have some concerns with GM crops.  Not so much with the food products
from them, but with how long these modifications will be effective in the
field.  Just like the buildup of resistant foulbrood, due I believe to the
consistant use of only one medication, in addition to the misuse such as
too low a dosage, constant preventative use etc.
Another concern is the effect pollen and nectar from these plants have on
the health of the hive.
Bill
Central Iowa, USA