How are plants genetically modified?

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Thursday, 21/01/2016 19:26

Plants are not actually modified to produce GMOs. Instead, seeds are genetically modified, which means changing, modifying (or turning off) one of their genes. The plants that grow from those genetically modified seeds are GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

When people refer to Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, they are referring to precision plant breeding using genetic engineering. It allows plant breeders to take a desirable trait (like resistance to drought, insects, weeds, and disease) from one plant or organism and transfer it to the plant they want to improve, as well as make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing. You may have also heard of agricultural biotechnology or biotech seeds. These are terms that may be used to refer to the same thing – a genetically modified organism (GMO).

GMOs are created to achieve a desired trait, such as resistance to an insect or improvement to the ripening process, in order to better meet a customer’s needs.

The nine GMO crops available today are sweet and field corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, potato and squash. Apples are approved and coming to market soon.

GMOs can have one or a few genes added, moved or turned off to achieve the desired trait. This video explains how genetic engineering was used to make the Hawaiian papaya resistant to the deadly papaya ring spot virus. Curious what this all looks like? See the differences between genetic engineering and traditional breeding in this infographic.

Not all modified seeds produce GMOs. In fact, many seed improvement techniques don’t even produce GMOs.  This infographic explains the various ways seeds are modified and examples of the fruits, vegetables and other plants produced as a result:

If you have any other questions about GMOs or biotechnology, please ask!

Expert response from Allan Wenck

Head of US Trait Validation Operations, Bayer

Thursday, 21/01/2016 19:20

Plants can be modified in several different ways. 

In 1907, scientists discovered bacteria that caused a gall (growth) to form on many different plant species.  However, it was not until 1977 when Mary-Dell Chilton (winner of the World Food Prize for this work) discovered that the plant produced this growth because the bacteria transferred a small piece of DNA (containing several genes causing faster growth) to the plant.  In other words, the bacteria generated a genetically modified plant cell. Other researchers determined that it was possible to remove the genes causing faster cell growth and to replace them with beneficial genes in the bacteria.  The first part then, in modifying a plant genome, is to modify a bacterial genome.  The bacteria, through its natural process, introduce these new genes into the plant cell where it becomes integrated into the plant’s genome – creating the modified genome.  

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Thursday, 21/01/2016 19:26

Plants are not actually modified to produce GMOs. Instead, seeds are genetically modified, which means changing, modifying (or turning off) one of their genes. The plants that grow from those genetically modified seeds are GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

When people refer to Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, they are referring to precision plant breeding using genetic engineering. It allows plant breeders to take a desirable trait (like resistance to drought, insects, weeds, and disease) from one plant or organism and transfer it to the plant they want to improve, as well as make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing. You may have also heard of agricultural biotechnology or biotech seeds. These are terms that may be used to refer to the same thing – a genetically modified organism (GMO).

GMOs are created to achieve a desired trait, such as resistance to an insect or improvement to the ripening process, in order to better meet a customer’s needs.

The nine GMO crops available today are sweet and field corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, potato and squash. Apples are approved and coming to market soon.

GMOs can have one or a few genes added, moved or turned off to achieve the desired trait. This video explains how genetic engineering was used to make the Hawaiian papaya resistant to the deadly papaya ring spot virus. Curious what this all looks like? See the differences between genetic engineering and traditional breeding in this infographic.

Not all modified seeds produce GMOs. In fact, many seed improvement techniques don’t even produce GMOs.  This infographic explains the various ways seeds are modified and examples of the fruits, vegetables and other plants produced as a result:

If you have any other questions about GMOs or biotechnology, please ask!

Expert response from Allan Wenck

Head of US Trait Validation Operations, Bayer

Thursday, 21/01/2016 19:20

Plants can be modified in several different ways. 

In 1907, scientists discovered bacteria that caused a gall (growth) to form on many different plant species.  However, it was not until 1977 when Mary-Dell Chilton (winner of the World Food Prize for this work) discovered that the plant produced this growth because the bacteria transferred a small piece of DNA (containing several genes causing faster growth) to the plant.  In other words, the bacteria generated a genetically modified plant cell. Other researchers determined that it was possible to remove the genes causing faster cell growth and to replace them with beneficial genes in the bacteria.  The first part then, in modifying a plant genome, is to modify a bacterial genome.  The bacteria, through its natural process, introduce these new genes into the plant cell where it becomes integrated into the plant’s genome – creating the modified genome.