Production of BT Corn

Martirez, Rjay Mikko

Aspe, Myrina Liahona P.

Baluyot, Kymreigne Fressie C.

What is a BT Corn?

Bt corn is a type of transgenic crop because it contains a gene that has been
artificially inserted into it instead from the process of pollination.

Type of genetically modified organism ( GMO )

. A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically modified

through the addition of a small amount of genetic material from other
organisms through molecular techniques.

What is BT ?

Bacillus Thuringiensis

It produces a toxin specific to certain insects (e.g. moths, beetles, blackflies

or mosquitoes).

It is a naturally-occurring soilborne bacterium that is found worldwide. A

unique feature of this bacterium is its production of crystal-like proteins that
selectively kill specific groups of insects. These crystal proteins (Cry proteins)
are insect stomach poisons that must be eaten to kill the insect. Once eaten,
an insect's own digestive enzymes activate the toxic form of the protein.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Plant geneticists create Bt corn by inserting selected exotic DNA into the corn
plant's own DNA. Seed companies select elite hybrids for the Bt
transformation in order to retain important agronomic qualities for yield,
harvestability and disease resistance. Three primary components of the
genetic package inserted into corn include:

Protein gene. Bt genes, modified for improved expression in corn, produce

Cry proteins. Initial Bt hybrids in the United States and Canada include one of
three Cry proteins, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac or Cry9C. Future hybrids may produce
other Cry proteins, or proteins from other sources.

Promoter. A promoter controls where and how much of the Cry protein a
plant produces. Some promoters limit protein production to specific parts of
 the plant (for example, leaves, green tissue and pollen) whereas others
produce protein throughout the plant.

Genetic marker. The presence of a genetic marker allows seed companies

to identify successful transformations. Current examples of markers include
genes for herbicide resistance or antibiotic resistance.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Bt corn is a type of transgenic crop because it contains a gene that has been
artificially into it instead from the process of pollination. The special gene of
interest that was inserted into it is called a transgene. The gene from Bacillus
thuringiensis that produces the crystal toxin protein has been insterted into
the DNA of the corn and therefore making it poisonous to insects.

There are primarily 5 steps in creating transgenic crops like Bt Corn:

Step1: Extracting the desired gene from other organism.

Step 2: Cloning the desired gene of interest

Step 3: Designing the gene

Step 4: Transformation process

Step 5: Plant breeding.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Step1: Extracting the desired gene from other organism.

This step is the most limiting step in transgenic process because there
is only limited information known about specific genes required to
enhance the characteristics of plants.

First of all the main tools that are involved in this process are
restriction enzyme and D.N.A. ligase.

. The restriction enzymes are like scissors and then D.N.A. ligase
is the glue that sticks back the ends of the nucleotide
sequences. Therefore it is used after the restriction enzyme to
attach the parts of the D.N.A. fragments together. The next step
is to amplify the amount of D.N.A. that was obtained because a
significant amount is needed to be inserted into the desired
organism.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Step 2: Cloning the desired gene of interest

 The desired gene that was extracted is now subject to a process
called polymerase chain reaction(PCR), a method that is used to
amplify the amount D.N.A. to a workable amount. Now the
D.N.A. is placed into the plasmid of the bacteria and is replicated
to produce more of the D.N.A.

At this point an antibiotic resistant gene is also inserted into the

plasmid which allows the carrier cell to be amplified successfully
through the process of transformation. The process of
transformation involves the carrier cells to be placed into two
medium; one that has a specific antibiotic mean the other has
no antibiotic. The bacteria is then subject to the first medium
whereby it is growth is significant and then subjected to the
other medium whereby only the bacteria that has the antibiotic
resistant gene can grow. The bacteria that are antibiotic
resistant carries the desired D.N.A. in it and therefore only that
specific kind can grow, ensuring that all of the carrier bacteria
will have the desired trait.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Step 3: Designing the gene

This process is necessary because the gene has to

undergo several modifications for it to be effectively
inserted into a plant.

The promoter sequence must be added for the gene to be

correctly placed into the D.N.A. of the plant. The promoter
works as an on/off switch that controls when and where in
the plan the gene will be expressed.

The other two parts that are added onto the gene is the
termination sequence and a marker gene. The termination
sequence tells the cellular machinery when the end of the
gene sequence has been reached. The marker genes
functions are to aid in identification of plants cells that
have the specific integration of the transgene. This
process is necessary because only a small percentage of
targeted tissue will have the transgene. The marker gene
usually consists of a protein that encodes for resistance
against herbicides or specific antibiotics.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Step 4: Transformation process

 Transformation in this process means the change that will be brought upon a
cell through introduction of a new D.N.A. There are two methods how this
could be achieved:

This first method is the gene gun method where a gun is used to
insert the D.N.A. This process is also known as the micro-projectile
bombardment method. This gun made up of a 6 x 7 x 10 stainless
steel chamber that is connected to a 2HP vacuum pump.

The other method is with the Agrobacterium bacteria also known

as Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacteria is able to infect plant
cells with a piece of its D.N.A. which cause tumors. Scientist have
genetically engineered this bacteria so that the gene responsible for
tumor is no longer present and is replaced by the gene that is to be
inserted into a plant. When it is activated it enters the plant through
the wound and unfortunately this is not known how the D.N.A. from
moves to the cytoplasm to the nucleus of the plant. This process is
beneficial because a large fragment of D.N.A can be transferred
effectively.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Step 5: Plant Breeding

After all of the following process has occurred successfully a

process known as tissue culture is used to obtain the whole
plant. In this process the plant tissues are grown under
controlled environment in a series of medium that contain
specific nutrients and hormones. Also tests are carried out to
ensure that the plants have the desired gene and to see the
activity and inheritance of the gene.

How is it made?

Advantages of bt corn

Better For The Environment

Since GMOs require much less chemicals to thrive, the impact on the
environment is lessened.

Resistance To Disease
 One of the modifications made to the crops is an added resistance to
disease that would normally kill off the crops. This keeps the yields
high and the prices for the consumers low.

Sustainability

GMOs provide a stable and efficient way to sustain enough crops to

feed the ever growing population of people in the world.

Increased Flavor and Nutrition

Along with resistances to insects and disease, the genes of the crops
can also be altered to have a better flavor and increased nutritional
value

Longer Shelf Life

Genetically modified foods have a longer shelf life. This improves how
long they last and stay fresh during transportation and storage.

Keeps It Affordable / Cost Efficiency

One of the biggest effects that the use of GMOs has had on our every
day life is the prices of produce and other foods. Since more crops can
be yielded, the prices can be much lower

Disadvantages of bt corn

Cross Contamination

The pollen from the genetically modified plants is also contaminated.

When this pollen is around other plants, even things like grass or
weeds, they cross pollinate. This could develop superweeds that
have the same resistance properties as the crops.

Allergies On The Rise

Ever since the introduction of GMO foods, the amount of childhood

food allergies has risen significantly. The exact link to GMO has not yet
been found, but many believe this is due to insufficient research in the
area.

Less Effective Antibiotics

The crops that have been genetically modified have antibiotic

properties put into them in order to make them immune to certain
diseases. When you eat these foods these properties are left in your
body and can make many antibiotics less effective.
 Not Enough Testing

There has been very little testing and research done on genetically
modified foods and the long term effects have not been discovered
yet. This makes many people feel uneasy at the high use of these
foods.