TRANSGENIC CROPS AND GMOs

GMO

plants, animals, or microorg whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology

Transgenic crops

genetically modified plants that contain a gene or genes transferred from a different species

Transgene

the foreign gene that gives the plant desired trait

8000 BCE

Humans practice selective breeding and cross-breeding to enhance desirable traits in plnts and animals

1866

Mendel’s discovery of inheritance patterns in pea plants

1953

Watson and Crick identified the structure of DNA

1973

First transgenesis experiment with bacteria by Boyer and Cohen

1983

Devo of the first genetically engineered plant (antibiotic-resistant tobacco)

1994

Commercialization of Flavr Savr Tomato - first GM food crop approved for sale

1990s

GMO crops reaches consumers, including squash, soybeans, cotton, corn, papayas, tomatoes,, potatoes, and canola

Present

Adoption of CRISPR/Cas9 for precise genome editing in crops like rice and wheat

• Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

• Gene gun (Biolistics)

• CRISPR-Cas9

GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES FOR DEVELOPING GM CROPS

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

uses Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer a gene of interest into the plant cells, generating transgenic plants.

Gene gun (Biolistics)

a technique used to deliver DNA into cells by coating small particles (like gold or tungsten) with DNA and firing them into the target cells using a pressurized gas pulse.

CRISPR-Cas9

enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding, or altering sections of the DNA sequence

• Pest resistance

• Herbicide tolerance

• Drought and salinity tolerance

• Improved nutrition

• Longer shelf life

Genetic Engineering: Applications in Agriculture

Pets resistance

Reduces crop loss and pesticide use (e.g., Bt cotton)

Herbicide tolerance

Allows easy weed control (e.g., Roundup Ready soybeans)

Drought and salinity tolerance

Helps plants grow in tough environments

Improved nutrition

Example: Golden Rice with added Vitamin A

Longer shelf life

Reduces food spoilage and waste

• Increased crop yield and productivity

• Reduced use of chemical pesticides and herbicides

• Improved resistance to diseases and environmental stress

• Enhanced nutritional content in food

• Longer shelf life of produce

Advantages

• Potential impact on non-target species and biodiversity

• Risk of gene transfer to wild relatives (superweeds)

• Dependence on seed companies (patented seeds)

• Ethical concerns about mixing genes from different species

• Uncertainty about long-term health and environmental effects

Disadvantages