Final answer:
There is a risk that GMOs could displace other species' genes via horizontal gene transfer, potentially creating 'super weeds' resistant to herbicides and impacting ecosystems. However, no ecological harm has been confirmed. Regulatory agencies closely monitor GMOs for safety and environmental impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is a concern that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) might displace genes of other species through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Horizontal gene transfer is the movement of genetic material between unicellular and/or multicellular organisms other than by the ('vertical') transmission of DNA from parent to offspring. HGT can influence phenotypes and potentially lead to ecological impacts.
In the context of genetically engineered crops, such as those with herbicide resistance, there is a risk that these modified genes could spread to wild relatives. If herbicide-resistant genes were transferred to a non-target species, the result could be a 'super weed' that cannot be controlled by conventional herbicides. This gene transfer could significantly affect local ecosystems.
It is also important to note that the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's (NASEM) report on GE crops found some evidence of gene transfer to wild relatives. However, to this point, there has been no confirmed ecological harm from this transfer.
Genetic monitoring of GMOs is essential to ensure that they do not pose risks to human health, other organisms, or ecosystems. Regulators and scientists advocate for careful observation and evaluation, particularly with newly developed transgenic crops that may pose unknown risks.