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Genetically Modified Crops
Tara Singleton
Professor Sherif
Sci 115
August 19 2015

Genetically Modified Crops
In recent years genetically modified (GM) plants have grabbed a significant amount of attention in both positive and negative ways. This topic is discussed in the media and seen labeled on products in grocery stores, yet the general public remains uninformed of what genetically modified plants are.
The Technology
Genetic engineering is known to be the most favorable technology advances in biotechnology today. The results from genetic engineering are normally named genetically modified organisms or as seen on labels GMOs. There are many techniques scientist use to create these plants and in recent years produce crops. The two most common methods are by using the “gene gun” and a bacteria called Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Key, Ma, & Drake, 2008).
The “gene gun” is genetic engineering method that shoots microscopic elements coated with DNA into the plant cells. Distinct plant cells are targeted and are renewed into a whole different genetically modified plant. The other way, use of the bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is the process of naturally transferring DNA to plants (Key et al., 2008).
In principal, a strand of one plants DNA can be extracted from its cell and inserted into another plant's genome. On the topic of crop development, it is done with the same species of plant. Biotechnology speeds up the process of identifying the particular gene for maximum benefits. For example, if there was a need for genetically modified plants to be drought resistant, biotechnology will help find that particular gene so it can be removed and injected it into the host plant. Genetically modified crops with mixtures of genes that would not have existed unless it was for human interference (McLean, 2005).
Genetically Modified Crops Accomplishments
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