[Taxacom] Taxonomy and GMOs

[Kenneth Kinman]

Dear All,
      I can see recognizing many polyploids as good species (separate
from their paraphyletic mother species), but I don't think most GMOs are
comparable, and only involve the addition of one or a few single genes.
That a GMO would become reproductively isolated from the parental
species seems comparatively unlikely.  In fact, isn't it the likelihood
that they would interbreed with the natural parental species (with
unintended consequences) which make GMOs so controversial?  
      Therefore I would call them cultivars which could be potentially
dangerous because they are actually unlikely to become reproductively
isolated and need considerable intervention to prevent interbreeding
with the parental species.  In some cases, it could become a game of
genetic Russian roulette, and once an ill-conceived GMO experiment
spreads into natural populations of the parent, it may become impossible
to put that genie back into the bottle.  Calling a GMO a separate
species therefore seems like wishful thinking that would make them
potentially more dangerous if it lulls people into thinking that they
won't interbreed with natural parental populations.
       --------Ken Kinman