Marker genes: A health risk?

On 2 March 2010 the EU Commission reached the decision to allow the cultivation of the genetically modified potato Amflora. This is the first GM plant since 1998 that has received approval for cultivation in the EU – and correspondingly public discussion is intense. It is argued that Amflora represents a health risk. The antibiotic-genetic markers could be taken up by pathogens. The result: the antibiotics would become ineffective. However, that is a rather theoretical scenario. Although many research projects have focussed on this question, as yet no horizontal gene transfer (the transfer of plant genes to bacteria) has been detected under natural conditions.

Research Results

“Marker-gene-free plants will soon be standard.”

New and improved gene transfer methods are being developed throughout the world. The aim is to transfer only the target gene of interest. All sequences which are no longer required once transformation is complete, especially marker genes, are to be removed from the plant’s genome. Various safety research projects are also addressing this issue. In an interview with GMO Safety Professor Reinhard Hehl outlines the current state of play. more

Research Live

A reporter gene (green fluorescent protein, GFP) makes the leaves glow green under UV light if the marker gene has been removed.

Wine research: long drawn-out processes

The main focus of the Grapevine Biotechnology Department at the AlPlanta Institute for Plant Research in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse is on practical issues relating to wine-growing, such as the development of virus- and fungus-resistant grape varieties. Where classic breeding methods fail, the scientists here develop and use genetic engineering methods that are refined as part of the biological safety research programme.more

Research Gene Transfer

“An important driving force for evolution”

The soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens can transfer segments of its plasmid DNA (called transfer DNA or T-DNA) to the genome of plants. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIZ) in Cologne and the University of Bielefeld have discovered during their studies of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) that in one in 250 plants it is possible to transfer other DNA segments from Agrobacteria (chromosomal DNA) to the plant genome in addition to T-DNA. GMO Safety spoke to the head of the research group, Prof. Bernd Weisshaar, about the results of his work and about whether they raise new questions about the safety of transgenic plants. more