USDA allows GM Grass

URL: http://www.capitalpress.com/Oregon/20141230/usda-clears-gmo-tall-fescue
Published: December 30, 2014
Author: Mateusz Perkowski (Capital Press)

The USDA recently cleared a GM Fescue turfgrass for cultivation. The fescue was developed and released by Scott's Miracle-Gro, however, the USDA cleared it without any type of testing. The reason for this is because it was not under its regulatory control, as the fescue was modified using a different method, basically using a "gene gun" to shoot the genes into the plant. The GM fescue is resistant to glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide, allowing growers to spray herbicides easily.

Some people are concerned about the grass's glyphosate resistance, which could make the grass a difficult weed to kill. This type of grass also commonly cross-pollinates with other grasses, which creates a concern that it may create "superweeds," or herbicide resistant plants. However, it is easy to contain this in a lab, but if homeowners use it, this is a major problem.

This connects to our recent study on GMOs and our debate on the use of GMOs. This fescue displays a new way to modify plants, and could spark more concern among GMO dislikers. It is a newer advance in the field of GMOs, shown by the USDA's inability to limit and regulate it. It will be interesting to see how this grass turns out and the response.