Monday, May 2, 2016

The Important Things To Know Regarding Transgenic Crops Transgene

By Jason Long


A transgenic plant basically contains genes that have been inserted artificially rather than the plant acquiring them normally through pollination. These inserted genes are normally referred to as transgene. These artificially inserted genes can be obtained from another plant which is not related to the plant receiving the genes. The genes may also come from a totally different species. Transgenic crops transgene are sometimes known as genetically modified plants.

All the crops that people consume today were genetically modified in one way or the other to become what they are today. This is because these plants were once wild and had to be domesticated through selection, breeding that was controlled and a series of tests that took significant amount of time.

A plant breeder will try to assemble combination of genes basically in a crop which makes the plant more useful and also more productive than before. Depending on the purpose and where the plant is to be grown, these desirable genes may actually provide several desirable features such as improved quality and higher yields among other features.

GMOs are quite productive compared to indigenous plants. Depending on the area the plant is going to grow, these genes can be mixed in certain ratios to suit such a place. Genes are also inserted depending on the purpose of such a plant. Features that are mostly preferred are, drought resistance features, prolonged period of ripening, cold resistance and insect resistance.

For traditional plants or crops, the scope of transgenic basically is limited to plants of same species only or plants considered related. For example, it can be difficult or even impossible to transfer some soybean protein genes to a plant that is completely different like a corn. But today, transgenic technology has made it very possible for breeders to generally collect and bring together several vital genes to one plant.

The technology is quite good at identifying genes and isolating genes so as to control specific characteristics or features in single kind of organism. The copies of such genes are then moved to another different organism which basically acquires those characteristics. These powerful tools equip the breeders with the ability to continue with their production of new and improved crops.

There are pros related with the production of such crops and there are also some cons associated with the plant. Seeds are genetically modified for various reasons which may include improved resistance to diseases, generating healthier plants and producing insect resistance plants. The above traits have the ability to lower the chances of plant failure and enhance plants resistance to extreme weather.

Land required to grow GMO plants is not big thus resulting to minimized environmental pollution, and less gas emission from greenhouse. More land is dedicated to farming by farmers as opposed to real estate.

Less land is required for these GMO plants hence resulting to reduced environmental pollution, less soil erosion, and less greenhouse gas emissions. Enhanced productivity that is as a resultant of GMos may convince more farmers to dedicate their lands for farming rather than for real estate. The negative impact of GMO is the food allergies associated with it. The crops when consumed in large proportions have the potential to lower resistance of a person to antibiotics.




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