What Does Plant Breeding Genetic Engineering Entail?

Genetic engineering (GE) is a more precise method of breeding plants, as it involves targeting specific genes of interest and inserting only that gene into the resulting GE plant. This method is more precise than selective breeding, as biologists can modify just a single gene. It can also introduce a gene between two distantly-related species. Transgenic breeding has emerged as a key breakthrough in genotypic breeding of crops, where specific genetic elements and traits are introduced into crop plants.

Genome or gene editing (GE) encompasses an array of novel molecular techniques that utilize sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs), such as transcription activator-like effector nucleases. Plant genetic studies were primarily carried out by conventional breeding. Recent advancements in genetic studies introduced a gene modification technique known as reference genome sequences. Reference genome sequences are now available for most cultivated plant species, and cost-effective high-throughput sequencing informs about the genetic makeup of plants.

AI has revolutionized various aspects of crop breeding, such as phenomics, variant calling models, gene discovery, genomic selection, and gene modification. Genetic modification of plants involves adding a specific stretch of DNA into the plant’s genome, giving it new or different characteristics. This could include changing the way the plant grows or making it resistant to a particular disease. Genetic engineering offers the promise of selecting valuable traits from any organism.

There are five basic steps in crop genetic engineering: DNA extraction, which involves extracting DNA from the host plant cell, and recombinant DNA technology, which alters the genetic makeup of an organism using a gene gun, bacterial truck, or chemical or electrical treatment. Genetic engineering is a new type of genetic modification, allowing for the purposeful addition of foreign genes or genes to the genome of an organism.

What is the definition of genetic engineering in plant breeding?

Plant genetic engineering is a method that introduces valuable traits to crops, reducing the need for pesticides, fungicides, or fertilizers. It allows for the direct transfer of genes between closely or distantly related species to achieve desired agronomic traits. Lifeasible addresses genetic modification of plants using technologies like CRISPR/CAS9, CRISPR base editors, TALENs, ZFNs, RNAi, VIGS, and gene overexpression. These technologies are essential in modern agriculture for crop optimization and are based on advanced plant molecular biology technology platforms.

How is genetic engineering used in plant production?

Genetically modified (GM) plants involve the transfer of DNA into plant cells through various methods, such as coating metal particles with the relevant DNA fragment or using bacteriums or viruses. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most commonly used bacterium for GM plants. The gene of interest is transferred into the bacterium, and the bacterial cells then transfer the new DNA to the plant cell genome. Plant cells that successfully take up the DNA are then grown to create a new plant.

This process can occur without deliberate human intervention, as seen in the sweet potato, which contains DNA sequences transferred thousands of years ago. Other ways to change crop genomes include mutational breeding and genome editing, but GM is currently defined for regulatory purposes in Europe. The technology behind GM crop development is owned by the technology’s developer and the government.

What is the definition of genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, is a method that employs laboratory-based technologies to alter an organism’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Such alterations may entail the modification of a single base pair, the deletion of a specific region, or the addition of a new segment. It has been employed in research and industry for a variety of purposes, including the development of cancer therapies, the production of yeast, genetically modified plants and livestock, and numerous other applications.

What is the basic process of plant genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering involves five basic steps: DNA extraction, gene cloning, and gene modification. DNA is extracted from an organism with the desired trait, gene cloning is the location and copying of the gene of interest, and gene modification is the alteration and replacement of gene regions to express the desired trait. Genetically engineered crops differ from non-genetically engineered crops, and genetic engineering overcomes limitations in traditional breeding.

The process typically takes about a year to obtain a marketable transgenic crop line. The production of genetically engineered plants became possible in the early 1980s when Bob Fraley and others used Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transform plant cells with recombinant DNA. GM crops are now routinely developed and grown globally.

What is an example of genetic engineering in plants?

GMO plants are commonly used to create ingredients for food products, such as cornstarch and sugar beets. Corn is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, with most being GMO. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn produces toxic proteins that are toxic to insects but not to humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. This reduces the need for insecticide spraying while preventing insect damage. Most GMO corn is used in processed foods and drinks, primarily feeding livestock and poultry.

GMO soy is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, used for animal food, soybean oil, and other processed foods. GMO cotton, created to be resistant to bollworms, has revived the Alabama cotton industry. It is also used to make cottonseed oil, used in packaged foods and restaurants for frying, and GMO cottonseed meal and hulls are used in animal food.

What is genetic engineering in agriculture?

Genetic engineering is a modern biotechnology that involves modifying the genome of living organisms to introduce specific traits. This method typically involves using recombinant DNA, which is produced by joining multiple DNA fragments. This technology can introduce foreign DNA into a living organism’s genome, allowing the introduction of individual genes into an established commercial crop variety.

Gene-editing technology, a more recent form of genetic engineering, involves cutting out, replacing, or inserting a specific DNA sequence from an organism’s genetic material. This technology can insert genetic material into the genome or make edits without using foreign DNA. These alterations can add, amplify, remove, or diminish a specific trait.

CRISPR, a more affordable form of gene-editing technology, is now allowing more researchers to use gene editing in agriculture. Initially discovered as a bacterial immune system against viruses, CRISPR has been used in various organisms, from plants to mice, and has been cited in numerous research papers. CRISPR stands for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”, a description of how the bacterial immune system is organized in the genome.

How is genetic engineering used in plants?

Genetic modification (GM) is the process of adding a specific DNA sequence to a plant’s genome, resulting in new or different characteristics. This can include altering the plant’s growth or making it resistant to a specific disease. The new DNA is then integrated into the GM plant’s genome, which will contain the seeds produced by these plants. The first step in GM plant creation involves DNA transfer into a plant cell. This can be done by coating the surface of small metal particles with the DNA fragment or using a bacterium or virus.

The most common bacterium used for GM plants is Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene of interest is transferred into the bacterium, and the bacterial cells then transfer the new DNA to the plant cell’s genome. Successfully taken up DNA, plant cells are grown to create a new plant. DNA transfer can occur without human intervention, as seen in the sweet potato, which contains DNA sequences transferred thousands of years ago. Other methods to change crop genomes include mutational breeding and genome editing.

How is genetic engineering used in plant improvement?

The application of genetic engineering allows scientists to develop crops with enhanced yields and superior environmental resilience, thereby boosting crop productivity and enabling farmers to produce more food on the same land.

What is genetic engineering in plants examples?

Corn, the most commonly grown crop in the US, is primarily GMO, with most being created to resist insect pests or tolerate herbicides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn produces toxic proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests but not to humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. This reduces the need for insecticide spraying while preventing insect damage. Most GMO corn is used in processed foods and drinks, primarily for feeding livestock and poultry.

GMO soy is mostly grown in the US, used for animal food, soybean oil, and as ingredients in processed foods. GMO cotton, created to be resistant to bollworms, has revived the Alabama cotton industry and is used in cottonseed oil, packaged foods, and frying in restaurants. GMO cottonseed meal and hulls are also used in animal food.

What are the advantages of genetic engineering in plant breeding?

The application of genetic engineering in agriculture presents a multitude of advantages, including augmented crop yields, diminished expenses for food or pharmaceutical production, curtailed pesticide utilization, enhanced nutritional profile, enhanced resilience to pests and diseases, augmented food security, and medical benefits for a growing population.

How is genetic engineering used in breeding?

Conventional breeding encompasses both sexual and asexual reproduction, whereas genetic engineering entails the introduction of genetic material through techniques such as gene guns or bacterial transformation, which are not observed in nature.