Future Applications of GMOs

Abstract

Genetic traits in modified plants can be grouped into three categories: 1. Input traits, which enhance agronomic value such as herbicide tolerance, pathogen resistance or abiotic stress/yield 2. Output traits for increased quality such as modified nutrients, improved industrial use, or health-related compounds (molecular farming) 3. Traits for technological purposes such as genetic markers or gene switches We have chosen an alternative classification following the development of GM crops in order to show the progress of this technology. A first generation of GM plants therefore received traits from the first and the third category to prove the principle of genetic modification and to acquire new agronomic traits. Second generation GM crops, to be discussed in this section, have increased agronomic and nutritional properties by inclusion of traits from both the first and second category. Third generation GM crops are modified with traits to improve their use in industrial processes, and these are discussed in the next section. 5.