5.15: Understand How Genetically Modified Plants can be Used to Improve Food Production

GENETICALLY MODIFIED PLANTS: Plants containing genes from different species of organism that are used in agriculture to improve crop yields and reduce farming costs

GENETIC MODIFICATION OF PLANTS

Diagram showing the Production of Genetically modified plants

METHOD: The same restriction enzyme is used to cut out gene coding for pest-killing Protein from Bacterial Plasmid, and to cut open Plant DNA As a result, these sticky ends of the pest-killing gene and Plant DNA overlap via complementary base pairing to be joined together by Ligase enzyme, ensuring gene is inserted in the correct orientation Recombinant DNA is formed and inserted into Plant cell Consequently, this Transgenic Plant is grown to express pest - resistant properties

RESULT: New genes will be transferred and express by Plant, resulting in genetically modified Plant

POTENTIAL FOR USING GENETICALLY MODIFIED PLANTS:

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGE
Allows Plants to possess advantageous characteristics (e.g., GM Plants rich in Vitamins and Nutrients	Not scientifically proven to be safe for human consumption
Increases Chances of Survival - Resistant to Pests and Diseases Increases chances of survival (e.g., GM plants resistant to pests and diseases	May cause unexpected side effects (e.g., allergies)
Larger yield (e.g., GM Plants that grow faster)	Irreversible change
Grown during any time of year as they can be genetically modified for a specific environment	Disrupts natural food chain