Genetically Modified Plants and Their Impact

Introduction

• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) extend beyond animals to plants.
• Many plants are genetically altered for practical reasons, while others may not be viewed as necessary.

Genetically Modified Plants

10. Bug-Killing Corn

• Genetically modified corn can produce Bt protein, acting as an insecticide against corn-borers.
• Requires an 80% to 20% ratio of GM corn to regular corn to prevent resistance.
• Introduced in 1996, saving farmers in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin $7 billion.

9. Non-Browning Apples

• Oxidation causes apples to brown quickly.
• Okanagan Specialty Fruits developed Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny apples that resist browning through gene-silencing.
• As of 2015, deregulated by the US Department of Agriculture.

8. Flavr Savr Tomato

• Developed by Calgene for longer shelf-life and stronger skin.
• Despite longer-lasting, it stayed soft and was not successful in the market.

7. Super Bananas

• Aim to combat vitamin A deficiencies by increasing vitamin A in bananas.
• Expected in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda by 2020, pending US trials.

6. Cancer-Fighting Tomatoes

• Purple tomatoes are genetically modified to produce anthocyanins, antioxidants found in berries.
• Shows a 30% increase in lifespan in mice compared to red tomatoes.

5. Pollution-Fighting Plants

• Modified grass and trees for quicker phytoremediation.
• Aims to reduce pollution clean-up costs and times.

4. Venomous Cabbage

• Cabbage with scorpion venom virus targets caterpillars.
• Raises concern over ecological safety.

3. Genetically Modified Trees

• Trees modified for less pollutant production in paper making.
• Rubber and cork trees combined for better consumer products.

2. Super Carbon-Capturing Plants

• GMO plants with large roots designed to store carbon longer.
• Aims to reduce atmospheric carbon left over after plant absorption.

1. Land Mines Detecting Plants

• Developed to change color in the presence of landmine compounds.
• Could significantly reduce the cost and danger of detecting landmines.

Conclusion

• Genetic modification in plants holds potential for solving agricultural, environmental, and health issues.
• Continued research and ethical considerations necessary for future developments.