TRANSGENIC GMO VEGETABLES ON THE SITE - RLUES AND MINUSES

“Heard about a new amazing variety potatocreated by foreign scientists. They say that the Colorado potato beetle does not eat it, but the "hairy" tuber. Is this true and can it be cooked?

V. Stepapepko Krasnodar Territory

The author of the letter, apparently, has in mind the latest achievements of biological science - the so-called "transgenic plants", obtained by introducing a gene from another plant, bacterium or animal into a variety.

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In a conventional crossing, many traits of both parents are combined in a hybrid plant, and it is not so easy for the breeder to get rid of unnecessary or harmful ones later. In "transgenic" plants, as a rule, only one special gene is introduced, which purposefully changes only one trait. For example, increased resistance to viruses appears, the color of fruits or leaves changes. Transgenic technology allows you to create plants with traits and properties that are not available with conventional crosses, for example, to obtain cotton with already dyed fiber. In addition, this technology facilitates and reduces the time for creating new varieties.

The first reports of transgenic plants appeared about 15 years ago. Today, several firms are working on the creation of such plants with new useful features. Potato varieties with increased resistance to late blight, fusarium and soft rot have been obtained.

GMO POTATO WITH THE CENTIPLE GENE! lead from the garden. #lph

The All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology has isolated a gene for defensins, substances responsible for resistance to radish pathogens. Introduced into other plants, it protects them from many diseases. Transgenic plants of tomato, rapeseed, apple, pear and other crops with this gene are characterized by increased disease resistance.

Potato varieties resistant to the Colorado potato beetle have been created abroad by introducing the delta endotoxin gene taken from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (the same bacillus that is used to treat potato plantations against the Colorado potato beetle). This substance, poisonous to the Colorado potato beetle, but safe for humans and animals, accumulates in the tops, and the larvae of the beetle do not eat it.

Another task of transgenic technology is to improve the taste and nutritional value of vegetables and fruits. I must say that concerns have recently been expressed: is it possible to use transgenic plants for food?

It is difficult to imagine that the introduction of one or more genes, especially of plant origin, into a plant will lead to the formation of compounds dangerous to humans. After all, this constantly happens with ordinary crosses carried out by breeders. Of course, transgenic plants, especially if they include genes taken from animals or bacteria, must be thoroughly tested. Until recently, products obtained from transgenic plants abroad had to indicate their origin, but in the USA, for example, where the consumer is accustomed to such products, this is no longer required.

Is it possible to distinguish transgenic plants from ordinary ones? From the looks of it, you can't. They rarely have a different, different shape of a leaf, fruit, tuber and look like ordinary plants.

I think that the time is not far off when transgenic plants will not be perceived as a curiosity and will take their place in production and in summer cottages.

What are the consequences of consuming GMO potatoes?

From the editor. Leafing through foreign newspapers and magazines, we were convinced that not everywhere are so optimistic. At first glance, there is nothing wrong with genetically modified vegetables, fruits and grains. As a result of selection, they received new properties, resistance to cold, diseases, higher yields. It would seem that one should rejoice. But for some reason, in many European countries, disputes do not subside, are these products unsafe to eat? Not only scientists, but also statesmen take part in the debates.

Activists of the environmental organization Greenpeace talk about the potential threat to natural, "wild" plant species from genetically modified ones. And indeed: it is possible that, having got from the laboratory into the fields, artificially created cultures will get out of human control and will be able to very quickly displace natural forms, and forever.

We think the whole point is that the effect of these vegetables and fruits on the human body is still poorly understood. This suggests that the use of such vegetables will leave its "trace" in the body, which is unknown when and how it will manifest itself. So is it worth it to hurry with the "settlement" of new products in our garden?

Reference by topic: How to choose seeds for planting - varieties and hybrids, stability, taste, etc.