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Genes introduced into genetically modified plants do jump species into
bacteria in the guts of animals eating the plants. Hans-Hinrich Kaatz and
colleagues at Jena University in Germany collected young bees that ate pollen
from rapeseed containing a gene for resistance to the herbicide glufosinate.
They found the gene in the DNA of bacteria and yeast taken from the bees’ guts.
These microorganisms also survived exposure to glufosinate in culture,
suggesting the resistance gene may be expressed. Kaatz cautions that the team
has not yet found proof of expression.