[The role of genetic engineering in agriculture with special reference to pest control]
1986
Najjar, H.
Since the beginning of farming man has been working to improve his animals and plants. With developments in genetics in the last few decades, possibilities for improvement have increased a hundred fold. Aided by developments in molecular biology and cell culture scientists have made several breakthroughs as to open a great vista for development in agriculture. The double helix and the knowledge of the structure of the gene and its coding for proteins, and the use of protoplasts and of plasmids for transferring genes and creating recombinant DNA opened up great possibilities. Plants will be produced that are better adapted to climate, resistant to diseases, or carrying in their germ plasm pesticides to kill insects. Unlimited number of vaccines for animal diseases will be produced from specific antibodies rather than1812from attenuated germs. Breeding of animals and plants can now be "tailored to measure". Rural economic trends in the Third World may, however, be at stake: Is this a curse in disgui
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