I heard you mention in one of your public talks that Monsanto has genetically engineered a grass seed, and intends to sell it for golf courses and lawns. Children play on lawns. Would this new form of grass mean more pesticide use?
A concerned parent
Dear Concerned Parent,
You have a right to be concerned. Monsanto Co. and Scotts Co. (the leading lawn and garden product marketer) are currently seeking Federal approval to bring a genetically engineered form of creeping bentgrass to market. Creeping bentgrass is widely used in lawns and golf course greens throughout the country.
Monsanto has genetically altered the grass for one characteristic — so that it can tolerate spraying with Monsanto’s best-selling weedkiller, Roundup. At present, Roundup is only used on golf courses and lawns for spot spraying of weeds, because it kills any grass with which it comes into contact. With the genetically engineered “Roundup Ready” grass, however, users will be able to repeatedly spray entire lawns, fields, and golf courses with the weedkiller, thus killing everything growing except the grass. It is entirely predictable that large scale planting of Roundup Ready grass would dramatically increase the use of the weedkiller used in lawns, sports fields, schools and golf courses around the country.
The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) has filed a formal legal petition asking USDA Secretary Ann Veneman to block the release of the grass — the first-ever genetically engineered plant intended for use by homeowners and property managers.
“Monsanto and Scotts are asking for government approval to massively increase the chemical contamination of our neighborhoods, playing fields, and other recreational areas,” said CTA Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell. “Their pursuit of biotech profits is putting our children and our communities at risk.”
There are other dangers to this genetically engineered grass besides the increase in toxic chemical pollution. Creeping bentgrass is a wind-pollinated species whose pollen blows easily for hundreds of yards, and it readily hybridizes with other grasses. In many natural areas and parks, this non-native grass is already a serious problem. The genetically engineered form of this grass would be resistant to herbicides, and thus would become nearly impossible to eradicate — a true “superweed.” Further, the genes that make it immune to the weedkiller would likely pass to other weeds, thus creating more and more dangerous superweeds.
Peter T. Jenkins, CTA’s attorney, stated: “What Monsanto and Scotts are doing to creeping bentgrass will make it a more threatening invasive species for those who don’t want it in their lawn or park. Their proposal amounts to genetic assault and battery, recklessness and trespassing.”
Many environmental groups are standing with CTA in opposing the genetically engineered grass. They are joined by the American Society of Landscape Architects (with more than 14,000 members nationwide). And by every one of us who wants a clean and safe world for ourselves and our children.
