Transposing a Toxin from Bacteria to Corn
Genetic Engineering
The process of genetically modifying corn is greatly different from traditionally breeding maize. During genetic engineering genetic material of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is spliced into the DNA of corn. This transposes the ability of the bacterium to release Bt toxin, a once effective pesticide, to the corn plant which is now able to produce and release this toxin on its own (Gassmann, 2012). The technology of splicing Bt DNA into maize DNA is now so widely accepted as to cover “45% of the area planted to maize” in 2009 in the U.S. (Gassmann, 2012).
The process of genetically modifying corn is greatly different from traditionally breeding maize. During genetic engineering genetic material of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is spliced into the DNA of corn. This transposes the ability of the bacterium to release Bt toxin, a once effective pesticide, to the corn plant which is now able to produce and release this toxin on its own (Gassmann, 2012). The technology of splicing Bt DNA into maize DNA is now so widely accepted as to cover “45% of the area planted to maize” in 2009 in the U.S. (Gassmann, 2012).
To learn more about why corn is engineered: