GM microbes are more than just bacterial robots . They perform more functions than synthetic microbes , and their genomes are generally longer and more complex . Random mutations in their DNA sequences , therefore , carry more unknown consequences for behavior and environmental interactions .
It gets worse . Unlike plants and animals , microbes frequently exchange genetic material ( Davison , 1999 ; Hall , 2017 , Nature , 2017 ). It can be expected that these micro- swap meets will result in natural organisms picking up the novel genetic codes from those created in the lab ( Balmer , 2008 ). The myriad possible combinations , let alone their impacts , are entirely outside the realm of predictive analysis .
If a synthetic gene provides an advantage to its new natural microbe-host , that genetic strain can become dominant and outcompete others . This can lead to a relatively rapid proliferation of the new genetic code in the environment ( Nature , 2017 ). It is the microbial version of Australian rabbits .
Invasive Species : U . S . Definition
Executive Order 13112 defines ‘ invasive species ’ as a species that is : ( 1 ) non-native ( or alien ) to the ecosystem under consideration and ( 2 ) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health . Invasive species can be plants , animals , and other organisms ( e . g ., microbes ). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions .
NISIC , What is an Invasive Species ? 2016 , Beltsville , MD : National Invasive Species Information Center ( NISIC ), United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ).