Give some examples of GM plants.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Examples of Genetically Modified (GM) Plants:
- Bt Corn (Bacillus thuringiensis Corn): Bt corn is a genetically modified variety of corn that contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This gene enables the corn to produce a protein toxic to certain pests, particularly the European corn borer, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Roundup Ready Soybeans: These soybeans are genetically modified to be resistant to glyphosate, a common herbicide. This allows farmers to spray their fields with glyphosate to control weeds without damaging the crop itself, making weed management more efficient.
- Golden Rice: This is a type of rice engineered to produce higher amounts of provitamin A (beta-carotene) in the grain. Golden rice was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, which is a leading cause of blindness and other health problems.
- Bt Cotton: Similar to Bt corn, Bt cotton has been genetically modified to produce a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis that is toxic to certain insect pests, including the cotton bollworm. This reduces the need for chemical insecticides and helps improve cotton yields.
- Rainbow Papaya: The rainbow papaya is genetically engineered to resist the papaya ringspot virus, which threatened to decimate the papaya industry, especially in Hawaii. By incorporating a gene from the virus itself, the plant becomes immune to the disease.
Explanation:
Genetically modified (GM) plants are those that have been altered using biotechnology to introduce new traits or enhance existing characteristics. These modifications typically involve the transfer of specific genes from other organisms into the plant’s DNA. The main aim of developing GM plants is to improve agricultural efficiency, increase crop yields, reduce dependency on chemical pesticides, or address specific nutritional deficiencies.
For example, Bt corn and Bt cotton are engineered to be pest-resistant by incorporating a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces a protein harmful to specific pests. This not only reduces the need for chemical pesticides but also helps lower the environmental impact of farming. Similarly, Roundup Ready Soybeans are resistant to herbicides like glyphosate, making it easier to control weeds without harming the crop.
The development of Golden Rice addresses global malnutrition by producing rice that is rich in provitamin A, essential for preventing blindness in regions with vitamin A deficiency. Rainbow Papaya, another GM plant, was created to resist a virus that could wipe out entire papaya crops.
These examples showcase the diverse applications of GM technology in agriculture, providing solutions to common farming challenges while aiming to improve food security and sustainability.