Sunday, May 1, 2016

The Tips To Know Concerning 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.

Actually all crops were initially genetically modified since they originally existed as wild plants. To domesticate the wild plants, they had to be genetically modified. The process was domestication through modification, selection and also controlled breeding for a considerable amount of time.

A plant breeder aims at assembling combination of genes from other crops in a certain crop to make the plant much stronger and more resistant to diseases and insects. GMOs are also known to be very productive. The genes are inserted on a particular plant depending on where the plant grows and the purpose of that plant. If a crop is grown on a place that has inadequate rainfall, then it can be injected with drought resistance genes.

Some of improved qualities that can be inserted in a plant include drought resistance, higher yields, pest resistance, and disease resistance. Reduced maturity period, prolonged ripening period for tomatoes, resistance to cold, tolerance to heat are among other features that can be introduced in a plant. Combining several good genes in one crop may sometimes prove to be a difficult task that may take years to achieve the intended results.

To combine all of the above traits in just one crop can actually be hectic thing to do since it requires series of testing and there is no guarantee of success. There are many benefits that can be reaped from GMO plants. GMO products are said to have longer shelve life making them very safe when in transit. GMOs are friendly to environment due to the following reasons. First this plant will not require any insecticide spraying because they are resistance to insects.

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.

Engineering can basically eliminate seeds and even produce longer shelf life generally facilitating safe transport of crops to countries without proper access to foods rich in nutrition. GMO has some environmental benefits as well. It has environmental benefits since the technique uses less chemical, machinery and also time.

Another advantage is the fact that farmers will save their money. GMO plants do not need any spraying either bacterial insecticide or any other chemical hence saving money. But the food from the crop is considered to be allergic to children.




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