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[FewTrueSeed]

Im wondering if genetic modification can eventually be bred out? Does the virus pass to the seed? And how can we prevent cross pollination, and contamination in plants like corn. Will GMO plants be able to become naturalized? Are they succptable to other diseases wih thier genetics? 

Oppinions?

[BubbleCat]

Most virus dont make into a plants seeds, most virus used to modify genes are meant to be cured later on anyways, other virus are a bad choice. Mind that virus isnt the only means of genetic modification.

On the question: If the genetic modification does not cause failure to reproduce at all or even render an organism unable to live it can be bred out. Actually its way less likely for a population to preserve its exact genetic code at any moment than it is to change. This is valid disregarding the nature of the modification, by chance or intentionally, acording to a plan or at random...

So simply: Yes, any change in genes can be bred out if outnumbered by individuals not carrying it while not being highly preferable in terms of natural selection.

Now think of this scenario: A natural occurence of a species being widely outnumbered by GMOs that are not superior in terms of survival.

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[Auxin]

If you really want to breed out a GM trait you will just need a reliable way to identify that traits presence.
Assuming its a dominant trait, examples would be test-killing a batch of seedlings with a moderate strength dose of roundup to confirm roundup resistance was removed or infecting a batch of plants with a plant disease to confirm that a GM trait protecting them from that disease was removed.

As to their susceptibility to other diseases, it just depends on what plant variety was modified. Usually they'll choose some traditional variety or modern cultivar, put their gene in it, and slap a patent on it. There is typically nothing special about the varieties they use.

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[Mangrove]

In an ideal Mendelian world such a spot test may be possible... alas, that is only one way of determining the presence of a phenotype; not enough info to accurately get its genotype, though... Also genetic inheritance and expression is one heckuva hydra; I could go on forever about how insanely difficult, complicated and/or expensive it would be to effectively research and remove/breed-out said "modified gene(s)", but I found this link to be of use with respect to different methods of gene inheritance:

http://geneed.nlm.nih.gov/topic_subtopic.php?tid=5

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/inheritance/inheritancepatterns

http://geneed.nlm.nih.gov/topic_subtopic.php?tid=48

http://geneed.nlm.nih.gov/topic_subtopic.php?tid=35

In short, fewtrueseed, I'd say that it may be worth some while to look into these subfields of genetics.... every "GMO" is a special snowflake of its own make, model and natural design... Frankenstein did an awesome job of demonstrating the difficulties and discontents which arise when Man plays God with Nature... Unfortunately we allowed these monsters to reproduce... So much for amending the fruits of our labors, eh? If you can find a tried, cheap and true means of manipulating genomes of plants such that you may be able to (without unwanted comorbidities/mutations stacking up on your plate...) modify said inserted gene(s) in an organism's germ cell line(s) which wouldn't involve extensive PCR and/or CRISPR/CAS9 testing/editing and can be done cheaply, quickly, and effectively, rest assured there will be a nobel prize or two with your name all over it.

Godspeed,
-Mangrove

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