Plant Biotechnology and Genetics: Principles, Techniques and Applications

(Grace) #1
Syngenta a few years ago. My role also
evolved. After 10 years of adminis-
tration, I was allowed to leave my desk
and go back to the bench. I began
working on “gene targeting,” which
means finding a way to get T-DNA
inserts to go where we want them in
the plant chromosomal DNA, rather
than random positions it goes of its
own accord.

Transgenic crops now cover a significant
fraction of the acreage of soybeans and
corn. In addition, transgenic plants
serve as a research tool in plant biology.
Agrobacteriumhas already served us
well, both in agriculture and in basic
science. New developments in DNA
sequencing and genomics will surely
lead to further exploitation of transgenic
technology for the foreseeable future.

References


American Soybean Association Conservation Tillage Study (2001) (http://www.soygrowers.com/
ctstudy/ctstudy_files/frame.htm).
Brookes G, Barfoot P (2007): GM crops: The first ten years—global socio-economic and environ-
mental impacts.AgbioForum 9 :1–13.
Conservation Tillage and Plant Biotechnology (CTIC) (2002):How New Technologies Can Improve
the Environment by Reducing the Need to Plough(http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/CTIC/Biotech.
html).
James C (2006):Global Status of Transgenic Crops, Various Global Review Briefs from 1996 to
2006. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).
Jasa P (2002):Conservation Tillage Systems, Extension Engineer, Univ Nebraska.
Kovach J, Petzoldt C, Degni J, Tette J (1992):A Method to Measure the Environmental Impact of
Pesticides. New York’s Food and Life Sciences Bulletin, NYS Agricultural Experiment Station,
Cornell Univ, Geneva, NY, p 139, 8 pp annually updated (http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/
publications/EIQ.html).
Lazarus W, Selley R (2005):Farm Machinery Economic Cost Estimates for 2005, Univ Minnesota
Extension Service.
Trigo et al. (2002):Genetically Modified Crops in Argentina Agriculture: An Opened Story. Libros
del Zorzal Buenos Aires, Argentina.


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