Transgenic Plants

The genetic manipulation of plant protoplasts by direct gene transfer has clearly

come of age after a long gestation period. The major

limiting factor to the practical application of gene transfer is that protoplasts isolated

from many crop species are recalcitrant to regeneration. However, the great successes

achieved in the past five years in the field of gene transfer remain as boosters for the future.

Some success stories related to the production of transgenic plants are described below.

The major successes have been achieved in the transfer of:

1. Genes for herbicide tolerance. 2. Insect tolerant genes.

3. Coat protein genes for cross protection. 4. Genes responsible for certain antisense RNA