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Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Eucalyptus Plants

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The world’s first GM eucalyptus tree: benefits and concerns
Introduction
Since the commercialization of genetically modified crops in 1996 the use of plant biotechnology has risen enormously. Within the first two years after commercialization in the United states transgenic plants replaced about 30% of the non-transgenic plants in the entire country (Willmitzer, 1999). In the first years of genetically modified crops use, the newly introduced traits in the crops where characterized by making the plants resistant to herbicides and larvae from harmful insect species. These kind of traits are called input traits, meaning that they alter the input needed for production of the crops (Willmitzer, 1999). In contrast to input traits, a new kind of …show more content…

After testing the amount of GMO present in the honey cel1 was not detected at all. The nptII protein content was far below the threshold for the honey products to be marked as transgenic. Another public concern is the transmission of transgenic DNA to other plants in the area. Luckily eucalyptus is sexually incompatible with all other plants in Brazil since it was introduced from Australia (BCH, 2016). Furthermore, the concerns that the GM eucalyptus will become an invasive species are unfounded. Eucalyptus has been in Brazil for over hundred years and although it has some of the characteristics, so far it has always failed to behave like an invading plant (Silva et al., 2011). Thereby, the areas where eucalyptus is planted are usually surrounded by environment conservation areas or even by water (BCH, …show more content…

The GM eucalyptus is exactly the same as its conventional line except for the two added genes which do not seem to interfere with any of the eucalyptus its original characteristics. The main issue seems to be that of a possible spread of transgenic DNA to other organisms in the same area. Contaminating them with GM material. Because eucalyptus is not used as food by animals this thread is very low. The only real thread at the moment seems to be the before named thread of pollinators causing GM material to end up in their honey. The amount of GM eucalyptus in a certain area should be controlled to make sure the percentage of nptII in honey does not rise. Furthermore, a suitable IP strategy for this event could be a Utility patent, because this event is the first to genetically modify an eucalyptus tree. A Utility patent also protects the GM for a long time and is available in multiple

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