Halford N G, Shewry P R
IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, UK.
Br Med Bull. 2000;56(1):62-73. doi: 10.1258/0007142001902978.
The genetic modification of crop plants from the methodology involved in their production through to the current debate on their use in agriculture are reviewed. Techniques for plant transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and particle bombardment, and for the selection of transgenic plants using marker genes are described. The benefits of currently available genetically modified (GM) crops in reducing waste and agrochemical use in agriculture, and the potential of the technology for further crop improvement in the future are discussed. The legal requirements for containment of novel GM crops and the roles of relevant regulatory bodies in ensuring that GM crops and food are safe are summarized. Some of the major concerns of the general public regarding GM crops and food: segregation of GM and non-GM crops and cross-pollination between GM crops and wild species, the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes, the prevention of new allergens being introduced in to the food chain and the relative safety of GM and non-GM foods are considered. Finally, the current debate on the use of GM crops in agriculture and the need for the government, scientists and industry to persevere with the technology in the face of widespread hostility is studied.
本文综述了从作物生产所涉及的方法到当前关于其在农业中应用的争论等方面的作物基因改造。描述了根癌农杆菌介导的植物转化技术、粒子轰击技术以及使用标记基因筛选转基因植物的技术。讨论了当前可用的转基因作物在减少农业废弃物和农用化学品使用方面的益处，以及该技术在未来进一步改良作物的潜力。总结了新型转基因作物的 containment 的法律要求以及相关监管机构在确保转基因作物和食品安全方面的作用。考虑了公众对转基因作物和食品的一些主要担忧：转基因作物与非转基因作物的隔离以及转基因作物与野生物种之间的异花授粉、抗生素抗性标记基因的使用、防止新的过敏原进入食物链以及转基因食品和非转基因食品的相对安全性。最后，研究了当前关于转基因作物在农业中应用的争论，以及政府、科学家和产业界在面对广泛敌意时坚持该技术的必要性。 （注：“containment”此处可能结合上下文有更准确的专业释义，这里按字面翻译为“控制、遏制等意思”，但结合农业领域可能是类似“隔离管控”等更准确表述，需根据具体背景确定准确含义）
