Already 15 years ago when the discussion on effects of the release of genetically modified plants started in Europe, gene flow from genetically modified plants to conventionally bred plants of the same species or to its close relatives was one of the major concerns. However, representatives of the relevant industry usually stated that gene flow would not occur, or if it ever did occur, genes would not persist in those populations. Nowadays the occurrence of gene flow and the persistence of transferred genes are no longer questioned. But supporters of genetically modified plants are asking: gene flow - so what - A Special Issue of the<a href="http://www.oeko.de/oeko_en/indexb_en.html">Oeko-Institute</a>(Freiburg, Germany)special newsletter tackles this question. What are, or could be, the consequences of gene flow from genetically modified plants - What is known about gene flow - What kind of research is done in this field or what should be done - And what about regulations and law on this issue?><a href="http://www.zs-l.de/gmo/downloads/geneflow_oekoinstitut.pdf">Gene flow so what?</a>