1. Transgenic Plants Dr. Sanjay Singh C.M.P. College Allahabad
Seminar presented at Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad on

2. Introduction
Transgenic plants are plants that have been genetically modified by inserting genes directly in to a single plant cell.
Transgenic plants contain a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted instead of the plant acquiring them through pollination.
Formerly, sexual cross barriers were a problem for moving genes between species.
Now these barriers are not a problem for mixing gene pools. Animal, fungus, and bacteria genes can now become plant genes.

3. What are Transgenic Plants ?
Transgenic plants are also known as Genetically Modified Organisms GMO, Recombinant DNA plants, Bioengineered plants or Biotech plants.
The inserted gene sequence (known as the transgene) may come from another unrelated plant, or from a complete different species:
Transgenic Bt corn, for example, which produces its own insecticide, contains a gene from a bacterium
Bt Bacillus thuringiensis

4. Why are Transgenics important?
We can develop plants that express a “novel” trait not normally found in the species.
Insect resistant cotton – Bt toxin kills the
cotton boll worm
transgene = Bt protein
Insect resistant brinjal – Bt toxin kills the
insect
transgene = Bt protein

5. Transgenic plants Herbicide resistant crops Now: soybean, corn, canola
Coming: sugarbeet, lettuce, strawberry
alfalfa, potato, wheat
transgene = modified EPSP synthase or
phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase
Virus resistance - papya resistant to
papaya ringspot virus
transgene = virus coat protein

6. How we can make a transgenic plant?
GENE ISOLATION
GENE TRANSFER SYSTEMS: include use of vectors (Ti Plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens), gene gun, micro injection, electroporation, etc.
GENE EXPRESSION: transferred gene must expressed in its new host. However, transgenic trait must not interfere with normal plant development.
REGENERATION : it is ability of transform cells to regenerate fertile plants.

7. The Lab Steps
Transgenic plants

8. Negative effects of Transgenic Plants
These create some potential ecological risks to humans and others consumers.
Transgenic plants can produce unanticipated toxins and allergins.
Gene transfer can occur between transgenic plants and bacteria that creating some ecological consequences which are catastrophic.
Transgenic plants serves as a source of new disease and as a medium for evolution of new pathogens because of their altered physiology and biochemistry.

9. The controversy Should we develop transgenic plants ?
Should we release transgenic plants ?
Are transgenic plants safe ?
Are transgenic plants a threat to non transgenic production systems ?
Are transgenic plants a threat to natural ecosystems ?

10. Transgenic Plants : benefits vs. risks
Hypothetical benefits
Hypothetical risks
Decrease herbicide and pesticide use
Increase yield
Claim marginal lands
Address health/ nutrition issues
Food safety
Unintended environmental consequences
Increase influence of multinationals in agriculture

11. Creating a balance
Improved Nutrition
Resistance to disease
Reduced use of chemicals
Environmental risks
Health risks
Economic risks
Consumers, the government and scientists should be responsible for weighing the benefits against the costs.