Human Reproduction Update, Vol.1, No.6 pp.523-542, 1995
© © Oxford University Press
research-article |
Genetic engineering in plants
Laboratorium voor Genetica, Universiteit Gent K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent Belgium
To whom correspondence should be addressed at: 1To whom correspondence should be addressed at Laboratorium voor Genetica, Universiteit Gent, KX. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. Tel: 32 9 264 5170; Telex: 11995 gengen b; Fax: 32 9 264 5349; BITNET: mamon@gengenp.rugjc.be.
Until now most research, and its funding, has been focused on animal and human health care as well as simple microbiological model systems such as Escherichia coli. and yeast. Molecular plant studies have generally lagged behind, often simply adapting discoveries from the animal field to plants. Clearly, good health and the efficient tackling of diseases is crucial for the well-being of humans, and good remedies have a high economic value for the pharmaceutical industry. However, one should not forget that plants are an essential component of the large ecosystem that is our planet. They are not only the basic food producers but they are also necessary for a balanced atmosphere (oxygen production) and stable and viable elimates. Especially in this period of demographic explosion and growing environmental deterioration, there is a need to rebuild our agricultural systems. Plants also have a wide variety of ‘non-food’ uses, for instance as energy sources, construction materials, or cosmetics. Last, but not least, they produce a lot of chemicals that can be used as pharmaceuticals. The growing awareness of the importance of plants has coincided with the development of plant molecular biology. Specific features make them idealy suited for gene engineering and genetic sudies in general.
Key words: genetic engineering / plant biotechnology / plant transformation / plant products