WHAT ARE TRANSGENIC

PLANTS?
Modification of DNA using genetic
engineering techniques.
Aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant .
The inserted sequence is known as the transgene.
The purpose of inserting a combination of genes in a
plant, so as to make it as useful and productive as
possible.
Examples in food crops include resistance to certain
pests, diseases, or environmental conditions,
reduction of spoilage, or resistance to chemical
treatments (e.g. resistance to a herbicide), or
improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
Examples in non-food crops include production of
pharmaceutical
agents,
biofuels,
and
other

WHY MAKE TRANSGENIC PLANTS?

Desirable genes may provide features such as
higher yield or improved quality, pest or disease
resistance, or tolerance to heat, cold and drought.
Transgenic technology enables plant breeders to
bring together in one plant useful genes from a
wide range of living sources.
Generate more useful and productive crop
varieties containing new combinations of genes.
Expands the possibilities beyond the limitations
imposed by traditional cross-pollination and
selection techniques.

HISTORY
The first genetically modified crop plant was produced in 1982,
an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant.
In 1987, Plant Genetic Systems ,founded by Marc Van Montagu
and Jeff Schell, was the first company to genetically engineer
insect-resistant (tobacco) plants by incorporating genes that
produced insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
The first genetically modified crop approved for sale in the U.S, in
1994, was the FlavrSavr tomato as it had a longer shelf life.
In 1994, the European Union approved tobacco engineered to be
resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil, making it the first
commercially genetically engineered crop marketed in Europe.

HISTORY
In 1995, Bt Potato was approved by the US Environmental
Protection Agency, making it the country's first pesticide
producing crop.
In 1995 canola with modified oil composition (Calgene),
(Calgene), Bt cotton (Monsanto), glyphosate-resistant
soybeans
(Monsanto),
virus-resistant
squash
(Asgrow), and additional delayed ripening tomatoes
(DNAP, Zeneca/Peto, and Monsanto) were approved.
In 2000, Vitamin A-enriched golden rice, was the first
food with increased nutrient value.

MOST COMMONLY USED GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES

Microprojectiles (biolistics or
particle gun) for gene transfer
Agrobacterium
tumefaciens
mediated transformation
Electroporation
Microinjection

TRANSGENIC PLANTS FOR

CROP IMPROVEMENT
Nutrition
Some GM soybeans offer improved oil profiles for processing or
healthier eating. Camelina sativa has been modified to produce
plants that accumulate high levels of oils similar to fish oils.
Vitamin enrichment
Golden rice, developed by the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI), provides greater amounts of Vitamin A targeted
at reducing Vitamin A deficiency.
Toxin reduction
A genetically modified cassava under development offers lower
cyanogen glucosides and enhanced protein and other nutrients
(called Bio Cassava).
Stress resistance
In 2011, Monsanto's Drought Gard maize became the first
drought-resistant GM crop to receive US marketing approval.

 Herbicides
(i) Glyphosate-The transgenic petunia plants resistant to
glyphosate(active ingredient of Roundup herbicide) were
developed by transfer of a gene for EPSPS(5-enol-pyruvylshikimat-3-phosphate synthase), that overproduces this
enzyme.
(ii) Bromoxynil-Tobacco plants have been engineered to be
resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil.
(iii) 2-4D- The transgenic maize and soyabean resistant to 24D
were
developed
by
inserting
a
bacterial
aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase gene, aad1 makes the corn
resistant to 2,4D.
() Pest resistance
(i) Insects-The Bt toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis
has been isolated and used for Agrobacterium Ti plasmid
mediated transformation of tobacco, cotton and tomato
plants.
(ii) Virus- 80% of Hawaiian papaya plants were genetically
modified by incorporating Pseudorabies virus (PRV) DNA.

ADVANTAGES
For the producers of the new varieties
- A high efficiency in plants is obtained.
For farmers
-Process of pests destroying is simplified, therefore less damage.
-Production output is increasing as well as the profits of transgenic cultures,
even the obtaining cost of the GMO is rather high.
For industry
- As in the case of modified starch, low lignin content wood (in this case
paper manufacturing is less pollutant), human protein production(for
therapeutic aim)
For consumers
- More nutritious
-Fruits and vegetables with delayed maturation can easily be stored, with
minimum losses.
-In future, transgenic plants contain higher content of vitamins, minerals,
essential amino acids by using the vaccine plants, the rice enriched in provitamin A etc.
For the environment and human future
-Imply lower pollution
-Higher agricultural productions

GLOBAL STATUS OF BIOTECH

CROPS IN YEAR 2014