Transgenic Plants
Transgenic Plants are plants that have been genetically modified by inserting genes directly into a single plant cell. Transgenic crop plants modified for improved flavor, pest resistance, or some other useful property are being used increasingly.
Transgenic plants are unique in that they develop from only one plant cell. In normal sexual Reproduction, plant offspring are created when a pollen cell and an ovule fuse. In a similar laboratory procedure, two plant cells that have had their cell walls removed can be fused to create an offspring.
There are three general approaches that can be used to insert the DNA into a plant cell: vector -mediated transformation, particle-mediated transformation, and direct DNA absorption.
With vector-mediated transformation, a plant cell is infected with a virus or bacterium that, as part of the infection process, inserts the DNA. The most commonly used vector is the crown-gall bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. With particle-mediated transformation (particle bombardment), using a tool referred to as a “gene gun,” the DNA is carried into the cell by Metal particles that have been accelerated, or “shot,” into the cell. The particles are usually very fine gold pellets onto which the DNA has been stuck. With direct DNA absorption, a cell is bathed in the DNA, and an electric shock usually is applied (“electroporation”) to the cell to stimulate DNA uptake.
No matter what gene insertion method is used, a series of events must occur to allow a whole genetically modified plant to be recovered from the genetically modified cell: The cell must incorporate the new DNA into its own Chromosomes, the transformed cell must initiate division, the new cells need to organize themselves into all the Tissues and organs of a normal plant (“regeneration”), and finally, the inserted gene must continue to work properly (“gene expression “) in the regenerated plant.
To help ensure all this occurs, a “cassette” of genes is inserted during the initial transformation. In addition to the gene coding for the desired trait, other genes are added. Some of these genes promote the Growth of only those plant cells that have successfully incorporated the inserted DNA. It might do this by providing the transformed cells with resistance to a normally toxic antibiotic that is added to the growth medium, for example. Other genes (“promoters “) may be added to control the functioning of the trait gene by directing when and where in the transformed plant it will operate.
The genes put into plants using Genetic engineering can come from any organism. Most genes used in the genetic engineering of plants have come from bacteria. However, as scientists learn more about the genetic makeup of plants (“plant genomics”), more plant-derived genes will be used.
Main Advantages of Transgenic Plant
Improvement in Yield
Gene technology plays important role in increasing the productivity of food, fibre and Vegetable Crops ensuring Food Security which is essential for international peace and stability. Thus it is an important mean to fight hunger.
The transgenes generally are not yield enhancing genes. The increase in yield or productivity is achieved by controlling losses caused by various insects, diseases and abiotic factors. Gene technology is expected to keep pace in food production with increasing would Population.
Improvement in Insect and Disease Resistance
In crop plants heavy yield losses are caused every year due to insect and disease attack. Moreover, insecticides and pesticides which are used to control insects and diseases are expensive and have adverse effects on other beneficial organisms (parasites and predators).
Gene technology has played key role in developing insect resistant cultivars in several crops. For example, in Cotton bollworm resistant cultivars have been developed by transferring a gene from Soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton plants. This leads to saving substantial amount on insecticidal chemicals. Moreover, the technology is environmental friendly.
Improvement in Quality
The quality is adjudged in three ways, viz., nutritional quality, market (keeping) quality and industrial quality. Gene technology has helped in improving all these three types of quality in different crops. For example, gene technology has made it possible to delay the ripening and softening of tomatoes resulting in safe transport and longer storage.
Herbicide Resistance
In crop plants, Weeds cause heavy yield losses and also adversely affect the quality of produce. The genetic resistance is the cheapest and the best way of solving this problem.
Resistance to Abiotic Stresses
The gene technology can also be used for developing crop cultivars tolerant to environmental or abiotic stresses such as drought, soil salinity, soil acidity, cold, frost etc. Efforts are being made to develop varieties resistant to abiotic stresses using gene technology.
Rapid and Accurate Technique
Gene technology is a rapid and highly accurate method of crop improvement. The development of cultivar by this technique takes 4-5 years against 10-2 years taken by conventional (hybridization) method. Moreover, this is a highly reliable technology.
Challenges with transgenic plants
Allergenicity
The possibility that we might see an increase in the number of allergic reactions to food as a result of genetic engineering has a powerful emotional appeal because many of us experienced this problem before the advent of transgenic crops, or know of someone who did.
However, there is no evidence so far that genetically engineered foods are more likely to cause allergic reactions than are conventional foods. Tests of several dozen transgenic foods for allergenicity have uncovered only a soybean that was never marketed and the now-famous StarLink corn. Although the preliminary finding is that StarLink corn is probably not allergenic, the scientific debate continues. Every year some people discover that they have developed an allergy to a common food such as wheat or eggs, and some people may develop allergies to transgenic foods in the future, but there is no evidence that transgenic foods pose more of a risk than conventional foods do. More on allergenicity
Horizontal transfer and antibiotic resistance
The use of antibiotic resistance markers in the development of transgenic crops has raised concerns about whether transgenic foods will play a part in our loss of ability to treat illnesses with antibiotic drugs. At several stages of the laboratory process, developers of transgenic crops use DNA that codes for resistance to certain antibiotics, and this DNA becomes a permanent feature of the final product although it serves no purpose beyond the laboratory stage.
Eating foreign DNA
When scientists make a transgenic plant, they insert pieces of DNA that did not originally occur in that plant. Often these pieces of DNA come from entirely different species, such as viruses and bacteria.
We eat DNA every time we eat a meal. DNA is the blueprint for life and all living things contain DNA in many of their cells. What happens to this DNA? Most of it is broken down into more basic Molecules when we digest a meal. A small amount is not broken down and is either absorbed into the blood stream or excreted in the feces. We suspect that the body’s normal defense system eventually destroys this DNA. Further research in this area would help to determine exactly how humans have managed to eat DNA for thousands of years without noticing any effects from the tiny bits that sneak into the bloodstream.
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Genetically modified (GM) crops, also known as transgenic plants, are plants that have had their DNA modified using genetic engineering techniques. This can be done to improve the crop’s resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides, or to increase its nutritional value.
GM crops have been grown commercially since the 1990s, and there are now over 200 million acres of GM crops grown worldwide. The most common GM crops are soybeans, corn, and cotton.
There are a number of potential benefits to growing GM crops. For example, GM crops that are resistant to pests or herbicides can reduce the need for pesticides, which can help to protect the Environment. GM crops that are more nutritious can help to improve public Health.
However, there are also some potential risks associated with GM crops. For example, there is a concern that GM crops could cross-pollinate with wild plants, transferring their genes and potentially creating new “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides. There is also a concern that GM crops could be allergenic or toxic to humans or animals.
The potential benefits and risks of GM crops are still being debated. More research is needed to fully understand the potential impacts of these crops on the environment and human health.
Beneficial effects of transgenic plants
There are a number of potential benefits to growing transgenic plants. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased crop yields: GM crops that are resistant to pests or herbicides can reduce the need for pesticides, which can help to protect the environment. This can lead to increased crop yields, as farmers are able to grow more crops without having to worry about damage from pests or weeds.
- Improved crop resistance to pests and diseases: GM crops can be engineered to be resistant to pests or diseases. This can help to reduce the use of pesticides, which can protect the environment and human health.
- Increased crop Tolerance to herbicides: GM crops can be engineered to be tolerant to herbicides. This can help farmers to control weeds without harming the crops.
- Increased nutritional value of crops: GM crops can be engineered to have increased levels of nutrients, such as VITAMINS or Minerals. This can help to improve public health by making it easier for people to get the nutrients they need.
- Reduced environmental impact of agriculture: GM crops can help to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides. This can help to protect water quality, wildlife, and air quality.
Harmful effects of transgenic plants
There are also a number of potential risks associated with growing transgenic plants. Some of these risks include:
- Potential for gene transfer to wild plants: GM crops can cross-pollinate with wild plants, transferring their genes and potentially creating new “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides. This could make it more difficult to control weeds, which could harm crops and the environment.
- Potential for development of herbicide-resistant weeds: As farmers use herbicides to control weeds, the weeds can develop resistance to these herbicides. This can lead to a “arms race” between farmers and weeds, as farmers are forced to use more and more powerful herbicides to control the weeds.
- Potential for allergenicity of transgenic crops: GM crops can contain genes from other plants that people may be allergic to. This could lead to allergic reactions in people who eat these crops.
- Potential for toxicity of transgenic crops: GM crops can contain genes from other plants that are toxic to humans or animals. This could lead to health problems in people or animals who eat these crops.
- Potential for disruption of Ecosystems: GM crops can disrupt ecosystems by introducing new genes into the environment. This could have unforeseen consequences for the plants and animals that live in these ecosystems.
- Potential for social and economic impacts: GM crops can have social and economic impacts, such as the displacement of farmers or the loss of jobs in the agricultural sector.
It is important to note that the potential benefits and risks of transgenic plants are still being debated. More research is needed to fully understand the potential impacts of these plants on the environment and human health.
Transgenic plants are plants that have been genetically modified by inserting genes from another organism. This can be done to improve the plant’s resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides, or to increase its nutritional value.
There are many potential benefits to using transgenic plants. For example, they can help to reduce the use of pesticides, which can harm the environment. They can also help to increase crop yields, which can help to feed a growing population.
However, there are also some potential risks associated with using transgenic plants. For example, they may cross-pollinate with wild plants, creating new “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides. They may also harm beneficial insects, such as bees.
Overall, the use of transgenic plants is a complex issue with both potential benefits and risks. It is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks carefully before making a decision about whether or not to use them.
Here are some frequently asked questions about transgenic plants:
What are transgenic plants?
Transgenic plants are plants that have been genetically modified by inserting genes from another organism. This can be done to improve the plant’s resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides, or to increase its nutritional value.What are the benefits of using transgenic plants?
There are many potential benefits to using transgenic plants. For example, they can help to reduce the use of pesticides, which can harm the environment. They can also help to increase crop yields, which can help to feed a growing population.What are the risks of using transgenic plants?
There are also some potential risks associated with using transgenic plants. For example, they may cross-pollinate with wild plants, creating new “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides. They may also harm beneficial insects, such as bees.What is the future of transgenic plants?
The future of transgenic plants is uncertain. There is much debate about the potential benefits and risks of using them. It is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks carefully before making a decision about whether or not to use them.
Question 1
Transgenic plants are plants that have been modified using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques allow scientists to insert genes from one organism into the DNA of another organism. This can be done to improve the plant’s resistance to pests, diseases, or herbicides. It can also be done to improve the plant’s nutritional value or to make it more tolerant of drought or other environmental stresses.
Which of the following is not a benefit of transgenic plants?
(A) Increased crop yields
(B) Reduced use of pesticides
(C) Improved nutritional value
(D) Increased risk of allergies
Answer
(D) Increased risk of allergies
Transgenic plants have been shown to have a number of benefits, including increased crop yields, reduced use of pesticides, and improved nutritional value. However, there is some concern that transgenic plants may increase the risk of allergies. This is because the genes that are inserted into transgenic plants may come from organisms that people are allergic to. However, there is no evidence to suggest that transgenic plants are actually more likely to cause allergies than non-transgenic plants.
Question 2
Transgenic plants have been the subject of much debate. Some people believe that they are a safe and efficient way to improve crop yields and reduce the use of pesticides. Others believe that they are a threat to the environment and human health.
Which of the following is not a potential risk of transgenic plants?
(A) The genes from transgenic plants could cross-pollinate with wild plants, creating new “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides.
(B) The genes from transgenic plants could be transferred to bacteria or other organisms, creating new “superbugs” that are resistant to antibiotics.
(C) Transgenic plants could harm beneficial insects, such as bees, which are important for pollination.
(D) Transgenic plants could be harmful to human health if they are consumed.
Answer
(D) Transgenic plants could be harmful to human health if they are consumed.
There is no evidence to suggest that transgenic plants are harmful to human health. In fact, the FDA has strict regulations in place to ensure the safety of transgenic foods. These regulations require that all transgenic foods be tested for safety before they are allowed to be sold.
Question 3
The future of transgenic plants is uncertain. Some people believe that they will play an increasingly important role in agriculture, while others believe that they will be banned due to safety concerns.
Which of the following is the most likely outcome for transgenic plants?
(A) They will be banned due to safety concerns.
(B) They will play an increasingly important role in agriculture.
(C) They will be used on a limited basis, with strict regulations in place.
(D) They will be abandoned altogether.
Answer
(C) They will be used on a limited basis, with strict regulations in place.
It is most likely that transgenic plants will be used on a limited basis, with strict regulations in place. This is because there are both potential benefits and risks associated with transgenic plants. The benefits include increased crop yields, reduced use of pesticides, and improved nutritional value. The risks include the potential for cross-pollination with wild plants, the transfer of genes to bacteria or other organisms, and harm to beneficial insects. The FDA has strict regulations in place to ensure the safety of transgenic foods, but there is still some public concern about their safety.