Transcript Disease Resistant Crops

Disease Resistant Crops
Done by SPAF:
Sulin
Poonam
Angie
Farah
How it is done?
• Genes from plants, microbes, and animals can be recombined
(recombinant DNA) and introduced into the living cells of any
of these organisms. Certain genes are inserted into the plant’s
genome that confer resistance to diseases. Or genes that are
inserted can be like a vaccine, enabling the crop to produce
antigens to fight a bacteria that is already present. Hence
plant won’t suffer from that diseases again 
• Using a gun that shoots microscopic particles into intact cells.
Newer models use helium and gold pellets. . These pellets,
which are very small, can be coated with DNA that they then
carry directly into cells.
Benefits
• Enabled reductions in chemical pesticide
– Important benefits for farmers’ health
– Environmentally-friendly and no detrimental effects
observed
• Economic gains
– Increased net profits due to lower seed prices, hence
ensuring livelihood security
– Increase in productivity (10% increase has been
documented)
Benefeetz
• Selected nutritional components (e.g. vitamins, minerals,
acidity and sugars) of the fruits are comparable to those of
conventional papaya cultivars
• Provides resistance to many viruses that cause plant diseases
and ensures food security
Concerns?
NONE!
Real Concerns
Hahah just kidding.
• Many people are concerned that diseases will become
resistant to current disease resistance crops that have been
genetically-modified. Hence super bacteria will evolve!
• Bringing a GM food to market is expen$ive and biotech
companies need profits. Consumer advocates are worried
that GM crops will raise the price of seeds so high that small
farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford
seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the
wealthy and the poor.
Exammpelps
French Bean - Aigullion Resistant to bean mosaic virus and
anthracnose
Calabrese Emperor F1 - Highly tolerant of black rot and
downy mildew
Lettuce Alexandria - Highly resistant to downy mildew and
bolting
Tomato Alicante - Good resistance to greenback and mildew
Thank You:
• For your attention
• For listening