Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
The World
Food Problem and Plant Biotechnology
THE WORLD FOOD PROBLEM
I. Basic human requirements
A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Why the concern?
II. Carrying capacity
A. Carrying capacity = the maximum population a given ecosystem (or planet)
can support
1. Limitations: water, food, space.
B. What does sustainability mean?
III. World population growth
A. Population projections: 6 billion in 1999; and double that in 2050
B. What factors drive the world’s rapid population growth?
IV. Summary of some world
food problems
A. Quantity and quality foods
B. Poverty
C. Dependence on too few crops
D. Declining genetic diversity or variability
V. Sustainable solutions
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY
Can we meet human needs for food, energy, medicines, and a cleaner environment if we turn to genetic engineering?
I. Plant biotechnology =
the use of plants or plant products to benefit humans
A. Two methods:
1. Traditional plant breeding
2. Plant recombinant DNA technology (Genetic engineering)
II. Traditional plant breeding
A. Crossing same species or closely related species of plants
B. Breeding steps
1. Select desired trait
2. Hybridize or cross parents
3. Select offspring that carry the desired trait
C. Plant Breeding successes: Green Revolution resulted in high yielding
wheat varieties
D. Breeding limitations
III. Plant recombinant DNA
technology (Genetic Engineering)
A. Inserting genes from any organism into plants
B. Basic procedure:
1. Cut out the desired DNA gene sequence from any organism using restriction
enzymes.
2. Insert the desired DNA fragment into a bacteria plasmid (a small closed
circular piece of DNA)
3. Bacteria makes copies of plasmid and also copies of the piece of desired
DNA.
4. Transfer to plant’s DNA.
5. Tissue culture technique and the selection of plants that carry the
desired inserted piece of DNA.
C. Advantages of the genetic engineering method
D. Intended benefits of genetic engineering
E. Criticisms of genetic engineering