"Other than their ability to produce the spider silk protein, the goats do not seem to have any other differences in health, appearance, or behavior compared to goats without the gene, the researchers said. In the future, the scientists plan to incorporate the silk genes into alfalfa plants, which they say could produce even larger quantities of silk. They explain that not only is alfalfa widely distributed, it also has a high (20-25%) protein content, making it an ideal crop to produce silk protein." - Tracy

Combined with the Bayer/Louisiana State story about rice crop contamination and the recent Deepwater Horizon boondoggle, I give humanity another 5 years before a major ecological catastrophe related to genetic pollution. Oops, that insect sterilization protein we put into corn also makes humans sterile. I'm sure Monsanto will get right on cleaning up all those bad little chunks of dna out there. - Tracy