Understanding:
• Transgenic organisms produce proteins that were not previously part of their species’ proteome
Transgenic organisms are genetically modified to express characteristics based on genes introduced from another source
- The introduced genes code for novel proteins that were not previously part of the species’ proteome
The process of genetically engineering a transgenic organism typically involves three key stages:
- The gene of interest must first be identified and isolated
- The gene must be delivered into the cells of the appropriate host organism
- The transgenic cells must be selected for according to successful gene expression
Producing Transgenic Crops
Understanding:
• Genetic modification can be used to overcome environmental resistance to increase crop yields
• Genetically modified crop plants can be used to produce novel products
Genetic modification can be used in agriculture to overcome unfavourable environmental factors and increase crop yield
- Tolerance genes can be introduced into plants to provide resistance to herbicides
- Genes from xerophytes or halophytes can be introduced into crops to allow them to grow in dry soil or saline conditions
- Resistance to particular viral diseases or pathogenic infections can be introduced into crop plants
Crops can also be genetically modified to produce novel products that may benefit the consumer
- The introduction of genes may improve the nutritional value of the crop (e.g. Golden rice produces more beta-carotene)
- Modified crops may produce toxins to pest species, obviating the need for insecticides (e.g. Bt corn is toxic to the corn borer)
- Crops are being created that possess the antigenic fragments of specific pathogens, thus functioning as edible vaccines
Transgenic Crops: The Flavr Savr Tomato