Genetic Engineering of
a Glyphosphate-resistant plant
A transgene combines a viral promoter
with a gene for EPSP Synthetase, which confers resistance to the
weed-killing herbicide Glyphosphate (marketed as "RoundUp").
Integration of the transgene into the plant chromosome via Agrobacterium
allows selection of glyphosphate-resistant calluses. Plants regenerated
from these calluses are glyphosphate-resistant: periodic spraying of fields
with the herbicide kills weeds but does not affect plants.
Concern has been expressed as to whether
the resistance gene might be transferred to other plants, including weeds.
