biodiverseed: A Tale of Two GMO Transplant TechniquesTwo of the techniques for transplanting genes a

biodiverseed:A Tale of Two GMO Transplant TechniquesTwo of the techniques for transplanting genes are transgenesis and cisgenesis. Both involve introducing one or more genes into a plant. However, cisgenesis involves only genes from the same species or a cross-compatible species, a process that could otherwise happen—though over a considerably longer period of time—through breeding or other natural methods. Transgenesis, however, combines genes between unrelated species in a way that could never happen on its own. Like cold-water fish genes, which have been inserted into strawberry plants to prevent the fruit from freezing. Obviously there is a reluctance to accept GM foods that have been created with transgenesis rather than cisgenesis, because these are viewed as ‘unnatural’.However, while both are used in what are called “genetically modified” crops, there is no way to tell which GM foods have been created via transgenesis versus cisgenesis, as international GMO regulations do not discriminate between the two methods. Recent research into these two techniques suggests that both are, scientifically speaking, safe and acceptable means to creating GM crops. However, a wider implementation of cisgenic techniques could ease anxieties about transgenesis and lead to increased consumer acceptance. “There is reasonable evidence that consumers are more comfortable with the use of genes from within the same species than transgenes. However, future developments regarding the generation and commercialization of cisgenic crops will depend on application of less stringent regulation to these crops worldwide,” a 2013 report on the techniques concluded.*There are also techniques like RNA interference/post-transcriptional gene silencing (as was used with non-browning ‘Arctic Apples’) which don’t involve splicing in genetic material.Additionally, techniques for pathogen-derived disease resistance, like those used for the SunUp and Rainbow Papayas, involve injecting the embryogenic tissues of a plant with a benign protein coat of a virus, which is the plant equivalent of a vaccine.More on genetically-modified crops -- source link
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