Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Development of Transgenic Crops The development of transgenic plants refers to the process of using genetic engineering technology to change a plant's genome by inserting or modifying genes from other organisms that are not similar to it into the plant's genome. This technology allows scientists to introduce new traits or improve existing traits in plants in a faster and more specific way than with conventional breeding. The process of developing transgenic plants involves several steps, including: 1. Identification of desired genes: The first step is to identify the desired genes to be included in the plant genome. These genes can come from other species that have desirable traits, such as resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions. 2. Gene Isolation and Elongation: Once the gene of interest is identified, the next step is to isolate and amplify the gene using molecular biology techniques, such as the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique, to produce many copies of the gene. 3. Use of vectors: The isolated gene is then inserted into a vector, such as a bacterial or viral plasmid, which will be used to deliver the gene into plant cells. 4. Plant transformation: Next, the vector containing the desired gene is inserted into the plant cell through genetic transformation techniques, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or gene shot techniques. 5. Selection and characterization of transgenic plants: After successful transformation, the resulting plants are then selected using genetic selection and characterized to ensure that the desired gene has been integrated into the plant's genome and produces the desired effect. 6. Safety and environmental testing: Before being commercialized, transgenic plants must also pass a series of safety and environmental tests to ensure that they are safe for human consumption and do not cause negative impacts on the environment. The development of transgenic plants has various applications in agriculture, such as developing plant varieties that are resistant to pests, diseases, or extreme environmental conditions, increasing agricultural productivity, and producing plants that are more resistant to herbicides. Despite its significant benefits, the development of transgenic crops has also raised a number of controversies related to ethical, environmental and health issues. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the implications of using this technology. The goals of developing transgenic plants are: 1. Increased plant resilience: One of the main goals is to produce plant varieties that are more resistant to pests, diseases and extreme environmental conditions. Through the introduction of genes encoding resistance to biotic (such as insects and disease) and abiotic (such as drought and flooding) stress factors, transgenic plants can better survive unfavorable growing conditions. 2. Increased agricultural productivity: The development of transgenic crops aims to increase agricultural productivity by producing varieties that produce higher yields under the same or better agricultural conditions. Genes inserted into plants can stimulate growth, increase nutrient uptake, or speed up the plant's life cycle, all of which can lead to increased yields. 3. Reducing the Use of Pesticides and Herbicides: Transgenic crops that are resistant to insects or herbicides can reduce farmers' dependence on dangerous chemical pesticides. This can reduce negative impacts on the environment and human health and reduce agricultural production costs. 4. Restoring ecosystem balance: By increasing plant resistance to insect pests or disease, the use of transgenic plants can help restore balance to the ecosystem. Excessive use of chemical pesticides can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and damage biodiversity. Transgenic crops that are resistant to insects can help reduce the excessive use of chemical pesticides. 5. Global food security : In the face of challenges such as climate change and increasing population, GM crops can play an important role in ensuring global food security. Crops that are resistant to extreme environmental conditions can grow in previously unproductive areas, while increasing agricultural productivity can help meet growing food needs. Thus, the development of transgenic crops aims to improve farmers' welfare, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure an adequate and safe food supply for the growing global population. However, this goal also needs to be balanced with ethical, environmental and health considerations to ensure the use of this technology provides optimal benefits for society and the environment. In conclusion, the development of transgenic crops has the main goal of increasing crop resilience, agricultural productivity and global food security, while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides and reducing negative impacts on the environment. Through the introduction of genes encoding desired traits into a plant's genome, such as resistance to pests, disease, or extreme environmental conditions, transgenic crops can provide solutions to many challenges in modern agriculture. The use of transgenic crops can also help restore balance to ecosystems and play an important role in ensuring global food security amidst challenges such as climate change and population increase. However, the development and use of transgenic crops also raises various controversies and questions related to ethical, environmental and health issues, which need to be carefully considered. Thus, it is important to comprehensively consider the implications of the use of transgenic crop technology, and to ensure that its implementation is carried out with due regard for ethical, safety and sustainability principles. With a careful and integrated approach, the development of transgenic crops has the potential to make a significant contribution to improving farmer welfare, ensuring adequate food supplies, and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.