Genetically modified crops

The bodies of any organisms are composed with one or multiple number of cells. The cell contains genetic material into its nucleus. A chromosome is the visible state of genetic material during the metaphase stage of cell division. The number of chromosomes is specific for different organism. For example- Wheat diploid cell contains 42 chromosomes, otherwise Rice contains 24 chromosomes. Actually chromosome is the well organized super helical forms of DNA. It is the blueprint of life. The DNA can express into a functional polypeptide (Protein, Enzyme or Hormones) via MRNA intermediate. This functional polypeptide can express or regulate a biological character. So directly we can say that gene can express as a character. This gene can pass into the next generation through the gamete.

Genetically modified means the modification creates into its original natural genetic setup of a cell or organism. The ultimate purpose of genetic modification is to make it capable of performing the desired function. So the genetically modified crops are plants which DNA has been modified using genetic engineering techniques to improve its yields and quality and also to resist pest and agent causing harm to plants. In most cases the ultimate aim of genetic engineering is to introduce a new threat to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.

At the first genetically modified tobacco plant was produced in 1982 through the expression of bacterial antibiotic resistance gene. Then in 1986 in the USA and France occurred field trial of herbicide resistance tobacco plant. After that, in 1987 Marc Van Montagu Company developed insect tolerance tobacco plant by transferring insecticidal protein coding Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene. In 1994 the U.S. government approved genetically modified Flavr Savr tomato. For the first time in 2000 scientist modify the nutrient value of rice and produced golden rice. The modified varieties are increasing day by day. Now approximately 120 genetically modified crops are available in the world. Generally the genetically modified Alfalfa, Rapeseed, Corn (Maize), Cotton, Potato, Rice, Soybeans, Squash, sugar beet, sugar-cane, Sweet peppers, Tomatoes and Wheat variety are available throughout the world.

Usually the genetic alteration is done by Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer or biolistic method. In case of Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer, at first we should isolate the desired gene which we want to transfer into the target crops. Then we need to select a suitable vector as a carrier of desirable genetic. After that,  we cut the vector and desired gene with the suitable restriction enzyme and ligate them by ligase enzyme. Then we transfer the vector into the Agrobacterium tumefaciens cell. Then the crop plant cell is infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Thus it can transfer the desirable gene into the plant cell. There are some other technique are used for gene transfer to create genetically modified crops. They are a virus vector technique, microinjection technique, receptor mediated gene delivery, embryo therapy through IVF technology etc.

The genetically modified crops are high yielding, biotic stress tolerance (disease resistance, Insect resistance, herbicide resistance, Pathogen resistance) and abiotic stress tolerance (Heat, Cold, Nutritional stress resistance) variety. Through genetically modified crops can produce drugs, vitamins, minerals etc. Now we can modify the test of food through genetically modified crops. The genetically modified crops are high yielding and easy to management to a farmer. For high yielding capacity it can fulfill our food demand of our large quantity of people and play an important role in food safety. Also the genetically modified crops are friendly to our environment because it is bioherbicides and bioinsecticides. It has capacity for conservation of soil, water, and energy and better management of natural waist. Although it has more advantages than natural crops but a few groups of people are against the genetically modified crops. They want to say genetically modified food act as allergens and also transfer antibiotic resistance property  to our body. Gene transfer through cross-pollination make a loss of flora and fauna from biodiversity. It may create domination of world food production by a few companies, increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries and biopiracy-foreign exploitation of natural resources will increase. It may also create great ecological imbalance. But all of this complain and assumption are not true. Science does not create a destructive goods, only the scientists use the knowledge of science as a destructive form. So we can say that,  if our scientists use this knowledge of mankind, it will not create any harm to our people and ecology.