Genetically Engineered Crops
GE Crops Helping With Real-World Problems
What Exactly are Genetically Engineered Crops?
Genetically engineered foods have their DNA changed. Some of their genes have been replaced by other plants to obtain a different product or benefit. The desired trait is removed from one plant and then inserted into the cell of another plant. B.1
There are many crops that have been genetically modified and available in the United States. The eight crops are alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybean, sugar beets, and zucchini. These plants are already being bought and sold throughout the U.S. Most of these crops have been modified to be herbicide tolerant. B.7
What is The Process For Genetic Engineering?
Step 2
Gene cloning
Scientists separate the desired gene from the rest and make thousands of copies.
Step 3
Gene design
Scientists then try to design the gene to work in another organism by cutting the gene using enzymes and replacing regions that are separated.
Step 4
transformation
The genetic engineer either uses the gene gun or agrobacterium to transport the gene into the nucleus of a cell. Then the plants are grown in greenhouses until they are mature.
Step 5
backcross breeding
The plants are then crossed with elite breeding lines to combine the good traits of the elite parents with the newly added gene.
This video describes the way in which GE crops are made.
Types of Modifications
Transgenic
Transgenic crops are a specific kind of modification. It is a modification that has an altered genome and can be used commercially. The trait is also from a non-closely related species. An example of a transgenic crop is the transgenic potato, which was developed by the J.R. Simplot Company. The potato was modified to resist turning brown when cut open and bruising. B.2
Cisgenic
Cisgenesis is the modification of a plant with a gene from a sexually compatible plant. Cisgenesis also only uses traits the plant has or from a relative, and these traits can be transferred via traditional breeding techniques. The desired trait has been in the plant or close relative for centuries and doesn't alter the gene pool or make additional traits. B.3
Subgenic
Subgenic uses gene knockout and gene knockdown. Which alters genes without incorporating genes of other plants. Genes are removed from the plant rather than being added. An example is when the Chinese made a strain of wheat that was resistant to powdery mildew. They created this strain by deleting the genes that made the proteins to suppress their defense against mildew.