Vol. 11, Special Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Kondeti Sai Sumanth, Tiruvaipati Anusha and Dr. Shiv Prakash Shrivastav

Abstract:
Transgenic crops and genetic engineered plants have played critical roles in crop improvement by introducing advantageous foreign genes or inhibiting the expression of indigenous genes in crop plants. Transgenic crops are critical for biofortification, extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables and generating pharmaceutical chemicals and therapeutic substances. With the expanding human population's need for food increasing, conventional methods of breeding enhanced output up to a certain point. However, new advancements in biotechnology such as transgenic crops and gene editing assist plants not only improve yield but also nutritional value. In at least one nation, 26 plant species have been genetically engineered and licenced for commercial distribution. In March 2002, the Government of India authorised Bt cotton as the first transgenic crop for commercial production for a three-year term. Aside from cotton, more than 20 crops are being researched and developed in India by over 50 public and private sector institutions. Thirteen of these crops have been allowed for restricted field testing in India. Potential growth is unlikely due to underinvestment in agricultural research, rising population pressure, and higher levels of resistance development in insect-pests to transgenic crops. However, broad acceptance of transgenic crops containing foreign genes is hampered by concerns about potential human toxicity and allergenicity, potential environmental dangers such as gene flow, deleterious effects on non-target animals, and resistance development in weeds and insects.