transferring genetic information such as antibioticresistance
genes, which are frequently used as genetic
markers, from GM plants to soil microorganisms (Motavalli
et al. 2004). It has been suggested that gene transfer may
lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and
may cause long-term perturbation of the natural ecosystem
(Davies 1994; Nielsen et al. 2000; Badosa et al. 2004). For
gene transfer to occur, DNA should be relatively stable in
soil and serve as a source of genes for microorganisms.
Those microorganisms may then take up the DNA and
stably integrate it into their genomes