Ever since the beginning of the plant breeding, man was altering plants to ensure high production and best quality of the harvest. At the beginning, selective and cross-breeding were methods used, but for the last couple of decades man is using more sophisticated methods while designing the plants with all characteristics needed. Genetic engineering became popular in no time and genetically modified plants start sprouting all over that planet.
First experiments were focused on development of the plants resistant to pesticides, to prolong ripening time (tomato), to improve oil composition (canola) and by the 1996 - 8 transgenic plants were approved for cultivation. At the beginning of the 2000, one plant was modified for the first time to increase its nutritional value (golden rise).
Methods used for modification of the plant genome are relatively simple: either Agrobacterium tumefaciens or biolistic gun could be used. In the first case, A. tumefaciens will act as a vector, carrying and incorporating genes of interest in the plant’s genome. This method is useful for dicotyledonous plants like tomato and tobacco. Biolistic method uses DNA sequence attached to the gold or tungsten particles that are shoot into plant cell or tissue using high pressure. After penetrate the cell, DNA is released from the metal particle and start incorporates into the genome. Main disadvantage of this method is mechanical damage inflicted to the cells. However, this method is useful for plants that can’t be easily transfected with A. tumefaciens, like wheat or maize.
Plants could carry genes that will enable them to produce antigens for vaccinations, bacterial toxins or enzyme that will be used for therapeutic purposes. Carrot producing Taliglucerase alfa is used for Gaucher’s Disease treatment; banana producing vaccine against Hepatitis B virus is developed but not marketed; tobacco deriving therapeutic antibodies are under investigation…
Droughts, low temperatures, lack of nutrients are stressful environmental conditions that could negatively affect plant development. Plant could be modified to increase tolerance and survive drastic weather changes.
Herbicides are strong chemicals used to eliminate weed, allowing plant of interest to grow smoothly. Weed could become resistant to an herbicide over time, and genetic engineering is used to create a plant carrying more than one herbicide resistance gene that will allow regular spraying of the crop with multiple herbicides.
Insects and viruses could produce serious damage on the plants. Bacillus thuringiensis derived genes are incorporated into plant’s genome to ensure resistance against insects. Papaya production was dramatically reduced when ringspot virus starts spreading. Genetic modification solved the problem, and it’s still only solution against ringspot virus.
Golden rice is first genetically modified plant with increased nutritional value. Over 650 000 children under the age of 5 are dying each year due to vitamin A deficiency. Designing the rise enriched in beta-carotene gene with resulting high provitamin A level offered solution to the most affected areas. It’s not marketed yet.
Genetic engineering of the plants is useful way of producing biofuels. Algae are well known source of biomass that could be used for the biofuel production. Genetically modified maize that is accelerating ethanol production by converting its own starch into sugar is next promising candidate for biofuel production.
Pollution of the planet is one of the most important issues that mankind is facing today. Every solution that could help preserve environment or help reduce amount of existing waste is more than welcome. Genetically modified crop could be used in bioplastic development. Transgenic plants carrying bacterial genes are cleaning up environment from pollutants like mercury, selenium, PCBs…using bacterial enzymes that are digesting contaminants from the soil.
Genetically modified crops are hundred billion dollars worth business. A lot of people and steps are involved in crop development: from scientist that are experimenting with the plants, companies that are producing the seed, chemical industries developing herbicide and pesticide all the way to the farmers that are cultivating the plant…In 2010, 15 million farmers in 29 countries worldwide were growing genetically modified crops. Over 80% of cultivated corn, cotton and soya in the USA are genetically modified. Beside USA, Brasil, Argentina and India are the largest manufacturers of the genetically modified crops.
What plant will be modified, cultivated, used as a food source…depend on the country and the laws associated with genetically modified organisms. Europe has more strict legislation than USA for example, but still it produces GM crop as well. A lot of people are concerned how this food will affect their health and “health” of surrounding ecosystem. I’m concerned as well, but unfortunately most of us can’t cultivate organic plants and stay healthy for a longer period of time. I know that this is not way too comforting, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. To make things worse - I'm vegetarian
First experiments were focused on development of the plants resistant to pesticides, to prolong ripening time (tomato), to improve oil composition (canola) and by the 1996 - 8 transgenic plants were approved for cultivation. At the beginning of the 2000, one plant was modified for the first time to increase its nutritional value (golden rise).
Methods used for modification of the plant genome are relatively simple: either Agrobacterium tumefaciens or biolistic gun could be used. In the first case, A. tumefaciens will act as a vector, carrying and incorporating genes of interest in the plant’s genome. This method is useful for dicotyledonous plants like tomato and tobacco. Biolistic method uses DNA sequence attached to the gold or tungsten particles that are shoot into plant cell or tissue using high pressure. After penetrate the cell, DNA is released from the metal particle and start incorporates into the genome. Main disadvantage of this method is mechanical damage inflicted to the cells. However, this method is useful for plants that can’t be easily transfected with A. tumefaciens, like wheat or maize.
Plants could carry genes that will enable them to produce antigens for vaccinations, bacterial toxins or enzyme that will be used for therapeutic purposes. Carrot producing Taliglucerase alfa is used for Gaucher’s Disease treatment; banana producing vaccine against Hepatitis B virus is developed but not marketed; tobacco deriving therapeutic antibodies are under investigation…
Droughts, low temperatures, lack of nutrients are stressful environmental conditions that could negatively affect plant development. Plant could be modified to increase tolerance and survive drastic weather changes.
Herbicides are strong chemicals used to eliminate weed, allowing plant of interest to grow smoothly. Weed could become resistant to an herbicide over time, and genetic engineering is used to create a plant carrying more than one herbicide resistance gene that will allow regular spraying of the crop with multiple herbicides.
Insects and viruses could produce serious damage on the plants. Bacillus thuringiensis derived genes are incorporated into plant’s genome to ensure resistance against insects. Papaya production was dramatically reduced when ringspot virus starts spreading. Genetic modification solved the problem, and it’s still only solution against ringspot virus.
Golden rice is first genetically modified plant with increased nutritional value. Over 650 000 children under the age of 5 are dying each year due to vitamin A deficiency. Designing the rise enriched in beta-carotene gene with resulting high provitamin A level offered solution to the most affected areas. It’s not marketed yet.
Genetic engineering of the plants is useful way of producing biofuels. Algae are well known source of biomass that could be used for the biofuel production. Genetically modified maize that is accelerating ethanol production by converting its own starch into sugar is next promising candidate for biofuel production.
Pollution of the planet is one of the most important issues that mankind is facing today. Every solution that could help preserve environment or help reduce amount of existing waste is more than welcome. Genetically modified crop could be used in bioplastic development. Transgenic plants carrying bacterial genes are cleaning up environment from pollutants like mercury, selenium, PCBs…using bacterial enzymes that are digesting contaminants from the soil.
Genetically modified crops are hundred billion dollars worth business. A lot of people and steps are involved in crop development: from scientist that are experimenting with the plants, companies that are producing the seed, chemical industries developing herbicide and pesticide all the way to the farmers that are cultivating the plant…In 2010, 15 million farmers in 29 countries worldwide were growing genetically modified crops. Over 80% of cultivated corn, cotton and soya in the USA are genetically modified. Beside USA, Brasil, Argentina and India are the largest manufacturers of the genetically modified crops.
What plant will be modified, cultivated, used as a food source…depend on the country and the laws associated with genetically modified organisms. Europe has more strict legislation than USA for example, but still it produces GM crop as well. A lot of people are concerned how this food will affect their health and “health” of surrounding ecosystem. I’m concerned as well, but unfortunately most of us can’t cultivate organic plants and stay healthy for a longer period of time. I know that this is not way too comforting, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. To make things worse - I'm vegetarian
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