Genetically modified crops

Genetically modified crops are crop plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering to introduce or modify traits such as pest resistance or herbicide tolerance.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation: A method that uses Agrobacterium bacteria to transfer selected DNA into plant cells. It is a widely used route for introducing engineered genes into crop genomes.
Bt crops: Crops engineered to produce insecticidal proteins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. They use an introduced trait to resist specific insect pests.
Pesticide use: The use of substances to prevent, destroy, or control pests in agriculture and other settings. Insect-resistant crops can change the amount and kinds of insecticides used.
Conventional plant breeding: The improvement of plants through crossing, selection, and propagation of desirable inherited traits. It changes crop genomes through reproduction rather than direct genetic engineering.
Gene gun: A device that propels DNA-coated particles into cells to deliver genetic material. It can transform crops that are difficult to modify with Agrobacterium.
Herbicide-tolerant crops: Crops bred or engineered to survive application of particular herbicides. They let farmers control weeds without killing the crop.
Herbicide resistance: The inherited ability of a plant population to survive a herbicide that previously controlled it. Repeated use of the same herbicide with tolerant crops can select resistant weeds.
Marker-assisted selection: A breeding method that uses DNA markers linked to traits to select plants for crossing. It uses genetic information without directly engineering the crop genome.
CRISPR gene editing: A set of methods that use programmable molecular tools to make targeted changes to DNA. It can alter crop traits by editing existing genes rather than adding foreign genes.
Virus-resistant papaya: Papaya varieties engineered to resist papaya ringspot virus. It is a prominent crop-specific example of genetic engineering protecting against disease.

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