Pollen from genetically modified (gm) crops can travel at least three kilometres to contaminate neighbouring crops, according to a study. The study, by researchers from Australia-based University of Adelaide, followed the spread of genes from a new herbicide-resistant variety of GM oilseed rape introduced in Australia two years ago. It found that the genes travelled much further than expected. The rape variety was not itself modified, but its gene flow was similar to that of a GM crop. Mary Rieger, the lead author of the study, says that this is the first investigation of potential GM contamination from large commercial fields.

The researchers collected seeds from 63 conventional canola fields located near fields planted with the new GM