Transgenic Plants - a triumph for humankind, or a reason for fear?

Heszky, Laszlo

Over the past 100 years, 40 scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for achievements that have contributed towards unravelling the secret of life. By the end of the 20th century, humankind had learnt how to modify the molecule that carries the blueprint for life: DNA
The techniques of gene technology make it possible to change, according to human demands, the genetic programme that controls the way a plant functions. The area of productive agricultural land sown with genetically modified (GM) plant varieties has increased at an unprecedented rate over the past 12 years.
GM plant varieties and food products have been rejected by the public in certain countries around the world. This is mainly due to an instinctive fear of the unknown, as well as the various risk factors associated with the production and distribution of transgenic plants.
This lecture will discuss some of the most interesting genetic modifications (for example, to inhibit ripening in apples, or to create blue roses, golden rice, or vaccine-producing tomatoes), while at the same time emphasising that each modification must be examined separately with regard to all possible risk factors. Finally, there will be a discussion of the insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant GM corn hybrids that are about to be introduced in Hungary, during which the questions surrounding this subject, which remain open, will be reviewed.

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