GM plants and food

Question 1

Why do we have genetically modified plants?

Answer 1

To add or increase desirable traits, as has been done through artificial selection for many years.

Question 2

What are some examples of plant traits which we’ve selected for through modification?

Answer 2

Better crops (nutrition, attractiveness), higher yield, environmental tolerance, drug production, etc.

Question 3

In general terms, how would you go about making a genetically modified plant?

Answer 3

Identify the gene of interest, insert into plant cell, cultivate GM cell in entire plant tissue culture, grow and transfer to soil.

Question 4

What 2 plant transformation methods were discussed in class?

Answer 4

1. Ballistic gene gun

2. Agrobacterium tumafasciens plasmid

Question 5

How does genetic modification using a ballistic gene gun work?

Answer 5

Tiny DNA-coated gold beads are blasted into the plant at high speed, in the hopes that some of the DNA arrives in the nuclei.

Question 6

How does genetic modification using Agrobacterium tumafasciens work?

Answer 6

Bacteria can have plasmid inserted into its DNA. The bacteria then incorporates its own DNA (with plasmid) into target plant DNA. Transgenic plant is then grown with desired DNA.

Question 7

What was the first genetically modified food created? When?

Answer 7

In 1994, the Flavr-Savr tomato was created with the intent that it would have a longer shelf-life.

Question 8

What was done to rice to make it “golden rice”?

Answer 8

Added genes to cause increased production of vitamin A, iron, and protein.

Question 9

What is the most common transgenetic feature currently in application?

Answer 9

Genes which code for herbicide resistance for use in crops (soybean, corn, cotton, etc).

Question 10

What are some examples of genetically engineered crops which are currently grown?

Answer 10

Any of: alfalfa, apple, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, potato, soybean, squash, sugarbeet.

Question 11

How did Monsanto get their start as a company? What did they originally produce?

Answer 11

Originally a chemical company producing insecticides as well as growth hormone for livestock.

Question 12

How did Monsanto go from being a chemical company to having control over global agricultural practice?

Answer 12

By producing their own powerful herbicide (Round-Up), along with a transgenic soybean which had an innate resistance to the herbicide.

Question 13

Between 1996-2010, what effect has the increased use of GM crops had on herbicide use?

Answer 13

GM crop prevalence has actually decreased herbicide use by 37%.

Question 14

Why was “golden rice” originally developed?

Answer 14

To reduce vitamin A deficiency in young children from the developing world.

Question 15

Who developed “golden rice”? When?

Answer 15

Swiss scientists Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer in 2000.

Question 16

What is vitamin A deficiency known to cause in humans?

Answer 16

Blindness and compromised immune function.

Question 17

Why has the implementation of GM crops been slow?

Answer 17

Need for government regulation, suspicion by consumers.

Question 18

When did the Phillipines finally approve GM processes for use in food products?

Answer 18

2017.

Question 19

What GM crop was developed in the Okanagan, here in BC?

Answer 19

“Arctic” apples, a GM variant modified to silence the genes which cause browning.

Question 20

How can CRISPR-Cas9 be used to modify genes and create GM plants? Who developed it?

Answer 20

Developed by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier in 2012. Cuts DNA to be manipulated .

Question 21

What are some examples of work that has already been done using CRISPR?

Answer 21

Correct sickle-cell anemia, muscular dystrophy, cataracts. Make fungal-resistant wheat, non-browning mushrooms, etc.