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Team:TzuChiU Formosa/Humanpractice/review
From 2011.igem.org
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<br>This issue can be examined at four levels. | <br>This issue can be examined at four levels. | ||
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| - | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>1. Will the GMC survive and outcompete local plants?</b>These crop species are generally less fit in the environments when compared with the indigenous species, therefore we probably spare ourselves from worrying about their direct impact on local community.</font> | + | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>1. Will the GMC survive and outcompete local plants?</b> |
| + | <br>These crop species are generally less fit in the environments when compared with the indigenous species, therefore we probably spare ourselves from worrying about their direct impact on local community.</font> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| - | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>2. Will the indigenous plant species acquire the transgene?</b> | + | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>2. Will the indigenous plant species acquire the transgene?</b> |
| + | <br>It is widely accepted that genes can be transferred from crops to their wild relatives[1]. The resulting hybridization, if followed by polyploidization, can stabilize and keep the gene in the population. Changes in relative fitness of this genetic transfer and the potential ecological consequences, as well as how to streamline decision-making processes for transgenes that could cause unwanted ecological change, has becoming an emerging focus of research [2].</font> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| - | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>3. Will the transgenic plants affect the insect community?</b> | + | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>3. Will the transgenic plants affect the insect community?</b> |
| + | <br>The strategic use of transgene, for example Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), to help the crop ward off insect pest has been successful. The use of Bt crops results in significant reductions of insecticide use, which is beneficial to the environment [3]. However, they also found changes in insect community composition, in that abundance of some beneficial insects increased. More research effort is needed to clarify and calculate the risk.</font> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| - | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>4. Will the transgene affects the plant-microbe interaction?<b> | + | <br><font color="#000000" size=3><b>4. Will the transgene affects the plant-microbe interaction?</b> |
| + | <br>Highly diversified microbiota can be seen in plant rhizosphere, and is known to be affected by root/plant physiology. A study has shown that cultivating Bt cotton did not adversely affect the soil microbiota [4]. However another study using genetically modified poplar detected changes in microbial composition [5]. GMC affected growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and may affect fungal diversity after long-term cultivation [6]. Still, more research effort is needed to clarify and calculate the risk.</font> | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
Revision as of 23:32, 4 October 2011
Prof. Chun-Yao Chen
PhD in Comparative Biology
Cornell University, USA
Associate Professor
Department of Life Sciences
Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
Field : Bacteriology, Microbiology, Ecology
Is genetically modified crop (GMC) ecologically safe? More research is needed.
Chun-Yao Chen, Department of Life Science, Tzu-Chi University
This issue can be examined at four levels.
Is genetically modified crop (GMC) ecologically safe? More research is needed.
Chun-Yao Chen, Department of Life Science, Tzu-Chi University
This issue can be examined at four levels.
1. Will the GMC survive and outcompete local plants?
These crop species are generally less fit in the environments when compared with the indigenous species, therefore we probably spare ourselves from worrying about their direct impact on local community.
2. Will the indigenous plant species acquire the transgene?
It is widely accepted that genes can be transferred from crops to their wild relatives[1]. The resulting hybridization, if followed by polyploidization, can stabilize and keep the gene in the population. Changes in relative fitness of this genetic transfer and the potential ecological consequences, as well as how to streamline decision-making processes for transgenes that could cause unwanted ecological change, has becoming an emerging focus of research [2].
3. Will the transgenic plants affect the insect community?
The strategic use of transgene, for example Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), to help the crop ward off insect pest has been successful. The use of Bt crops results in significant reductions of insecticide use, which is beneficial to the environment [3]. However, they also found changes in insect community composition, in that abundance of some beneficial insects increased. More research effort is needed to clarify and calculate the risk.
4. Will the transgene affects the plant-microbe interaction?
Highly diversified microbiota can be seen in plant rhizosphere, and is known to be affected by root/plant physiology. A study has shown that cultivating Bt cotton did not adversely affect the soil microbiota [4]. However another study using genetically modified poplar detected changes in microbial composition [5]. GMC affected growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and may affect fungal diversity after long-term cultivation [6]. Still, more research effort is needed to clarify and calculate the risk.
The highlight of the event is the plasmid isolation and enzyme digestion workshop held on the 2nd day. All the participants were given a chance to perform in the activity. We, as the tutors assisted them throughout the whole process. By the end of the workshop, they learned to cut a plasmid with restriction enzyme, to paste DNA with ligase and PCR amplification.
↑2nd day of the workshop wet-lab day:
↑Ting-ting is explaining to her how to use a pippette
↑Andrew is demonstrating the step in the fume hood
↑Plasmid isolation
↑Ting-ting is assisting the participant to add TBE buffer
