<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Outcrossing</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The commercial standard carnation varieties are generally male sterile and rarely produce anthers. In fertile flowers, little pollen is produced, which can only be transferred by insects. In commercial carnation production, outcrossing is unlikely as flowers are cut before opening. Should flowers open, only certain insects are easily able to access nectaries in flowers and there are very few opportunities for this to occur during transit and sale. Furthermore, carnations plants require 6 weeks for seed development. A genetically modified cut carnation flower lasts only 3-4 weeks.<br />
Many Dianthus species occur as common wildflowers. There has never been any evidence of hybridization between carnation and these species, nor after decades of cultivation have carnations been found in the wild. The biology of carnation is such that there are no realistic ways for the genetically modified plants to escape from cultivation and become established as populations in the wild, or for gene dispersal from the genetically modified carnation to occur.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Weediness Potential</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Genetically modified carnation lines 4, 11, 15, 16, and derived lines, have little potential to become weeds. After decades of cultivation, carnations have never been found in the wild. Carnation has no weedy characteristics and is not closely related to known weeds.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Impact on Biodiversity</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The risk of transferring genetic traits from transgenic carnation lines 4, 11, 15, 16, to species in unmanaged environments was not considered to be significant. The genetically modified carnation lines 4, 11, 15, 16, are intended for cultivation by growers, flower auctions, flower wholesalers, retailers and breeders. Plants are sold as flowers, cuttings or whole plants.</p>
