GGR111H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Tissue Culture, Allele, Nitrogen Fixation
Document Summary
Developments in genetic engineering: pollen transfer- 19th/ early 20th century, transfer of chromosomes- post ww2, transfer of genes- transgenics- 19990"s. Implications of change to transgenics speed and accuracy: transferring genes from one trait of a species and implementing it into another, genes from unrelated species can now be shared, all food is genetically modified. The promise of transgenics: solve the population/ food supply dilemma with science, crops will be; resistant to disease, drought, salt, food will be; more nutritious, longer shelf life, expansion of the capacity of agriculture: ex. In reality, the usage of pesticide and herbicide resistant crops were created. Small companies, who need a return on their efforts: how will expensive genetically, however the technology is expensive, and companies control the technology with kill switches. The production of seeds which terminate after a year, making the farmers buy yearly seeds, which increases the price of farming. Pesticide/herbicide resistance: weeds/ pests become resistant, harsher chemicals also damage crops.
