GeneticallGenetically y Modified Modified

PlantsPlants

Stacy ByrdFernbank Science CenterNovember 3, 2007

The end of the hunter-The end of the hunter-gatherer:gatherer:

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

Mural from Catalhoyuk Mural from Catalhoyuk excavation, Turkey 8,000 – excavation, Turkey 8,000 –

10,000 years ago10,000 years ago

Traditional Traditional breeding breeding methodsmethods

Artificial selection Artificial selection for traits to create for traits to create new hybridsnew hybrids

Slow, requiring Slow, requiring many generationsmany generations

Limited to traits Limited to traits within species that within species that will interbreedwill interbreed

EngineeredEngineeredPlantsPlants

Desired trait is linked Desired trait is linked to a specific gene. to a specific gene.

Gene can be isolated Gene can be isolated and inserted into the and inserted into the target plant’s target plant’s genome regardless of genome regardless of the relatedness of the relatedness of donor to recipient.donor to recipient.

New plant variety can New plant variety can be produced be produced relatively quickly.relatively quickly.

Photo: Univ. of Minn.

Famous Modified Plants:Famous Modified Plants: Flavr Savr TomatoFlavr Savr Tomato

Developed by Developed by Calgene in late Calgene in late

1980’s and 1980’s and approved by the approved by the

FDA in 1994.FDA in 1994.

““Antisense” Antisense” technologytechnology

Source: Santa Monica College Human Genome timeline

Famous modified plants:Famous modified plants:

Golden RiceGolden Rice

insertion of insertion of gene from gene from daffodil to daffodil to produce beta produce beta carotene carotene

(pro Vitamin A)(pro Vitamin A) Source: www.scienzz.com

Vitamin A deficiency in the Vitamin A deficiency in the worldworld

Source: World Health Organization

The most common modified The most common modified crop plants in current crop plants in current

production display one or both production display one or both of these traits:of these traits:

Herbicide ToleranceHerbicide Tolerance – allows – allows crop to be sprayed with an crop to be sprayed with an herbicide: kills the weeds but herbicide: kills the weeds but doesn’t damage the crop, e.g. doesn’t damage the crop, e.g. Round-up ReadyRound-up Ready

Systemic Toxicity to Insect PestsSystemic Toxicity to Insect Pests – plant tissue produces a natural – plant tissue produces a natural pesticide e.g. Bt cottonpesticide e.g. Bt cotton

Plant BiotechnologyPlant Biotechnology ““Conversations about Plant Biotechnology” Conversations about Plant Biotechnology”

videos sponsored by Monsanto Corporation .videos sponsored by Monsanto Corporation .

Frankenfoods ?Frankenfoods ?

RISKSRISKS

Source: www. bioteach.ubc.ca

RISKS toRISKS tonon-target species?non-target species?

RISKS to human health?RISKS to human health? Not a single verified Not a single verified

case of allergic reaction case of allergic reaction due to GM foods.due to GM foods.

If a modified plant were If a modified plant were to contain a protein to contain a protein from one of the most from one of the most common food allergens, common food allergens, it would have to be it would have to be labelled for the labelled for the consumer.consumer.

Could a genetically modified allergen-free peanut be on the horizon?

Source: Univ. of Georgia CAES

The DNA FilesThe DNA Files

Designing the Garden: Food in the Designing the Garden: Food in the Age of BiotechnologyAge of Biotechnology

Some say manipulating genes in plants Some say manipulating genes in plants

and animals is the solution to world and animals is the solution to world hunger; others say genetically modified hunger; others say genetically modified organisms are neither safe to eat or to organisms are neither safe to eat or to grow. How do we understand what’s grow. How do we understand what’s really on our dinner plate? really on our dinner plate?

Audio Source: www. DNAfiles.org