genetic modification

• In the UK GM food is not available for consumption. 
• GM animal feed is imported. 
• Genetic modification is the direct modification of an organisms genes using biotechnology. 
• Genes can be transfer within one species using different varieties. 
• Genes can be transferred from one species to another - transgenics. Its very precise. Golden rice is genetically modified to increase vitamin A content. Bt is a bacteria that is toxic to insects - genes from it have been placed into corn to protect against the corn borer.  
• Genes can be turned on or off. 
• Transgenics involves:

  • Specific genes are cut out of DNA using enzymes 
  • Plasmids are removed from agrobacterium 
  • The gene and an antibiotic resistant marker gene are inserted into the plasmid 
  • The plasmid is returned to the agrobacterium 
  • Stem cells from the crop are infected with the agrobacterium 
  • The tissues are then grown into whole plants. 
• Any gene can be introduced from any species. 
• Pollinators that land on Bt crops may be killed due to toxic pollen that may have been transferred onto food plants. 
• If the Bt gene was transferred to closely related wild plants they would express the toxin. If transferred to an organic crop it would invalidate the status. 
• Transfer of the herbicide resistant gene to weeds would produce resistant weeds. 
• Antibiotic resistant transfer to pathogens from the escape of agrobacterium. 
• Monsanto sell GM crops, the GM crops have terminator gene so don’t produce seeds, which reduces the chance of GM plants escaping. This increases farmers reliance on Monsanto.