Examples of Genetically Modified Crops
Currently, there are a number of food species for which a genetically modified version is being commercially grown (percent modified in the table below are mostly 2009/2010 data).
| Crop | Properties of the genetically modified variety | Modification | Percent modified in US | Percent modified in world |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | Resistance to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides | New genes added/transferred into plant genome. | Planted in the US from 2005–2007; 2007-2010 banned; 2011 deregulated | |
| Canola/ Rapeseed | Resistance to herbicides (glyphosate or glufosinate), high laurate canola, Oleic acid canola | New genes added/transferred into plant genome | 87% (2005 data) | 21% |
| Corn, field (Maize) | Resistance to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides. Insect resistance via producing Bt proteins, some previously used as pesticides in organic crop production. Added enzyme, alpha amylase, that converts starch into sugar to facilitate ethanol production. | New genes, some from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, added/transferred into plant genome. | 86% | 26% |
| Cotton (cottonseed oil) | Kills susceptible insect pests | gene for one or more Bt crystal proteins transferred into plant genome | 93% | 49% |
| Papaya (Hawaiian) | Resistance to the papaya ringspot virus. | New gene added/transferred into plant genome | 80% | |
| Potato | NewLeaf: Bt resistance against Colorado beetle and resistance against 2 viruses (removed from market in 2001); Amflora: resistance gene against an antibiotic, used for selection, in combination with modifications for better starch production | New Leaf: gene for one or more Bt crystal proteins transferred into plant genome; Amflora - antibiotic resistance gene from bacteria; modifications to endogenous starch-producing enzymes | unknown | unknown |
| Rice | Golden Rice: genetically modified to contain beta-carotene (a source of vitamin A) | Current version of Golden Rice under development contains genes from maize and a common soil microorganism. Previous prototype version contained three new genes: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium | Forecast to be on the market in 2013 | |
| Soybeans | Resistance to glyphosate (see Roundup Ready soybean) or glufosinate herbicides; make less saturated fats; Kills susceptible insect pests | Herbicide resistant gene taken from bacteria inserted into soybean; knocked out native genes that catalyze saturation; gene for one or more Bt crystal proteins transferred into plant genome | 93% | 77% |
| Squash (Zucchini/Courgette) | Resistance to watermelon, cucumber and zucchini/courgette yellow mosaic viruses | Contains coat protein genes of viruses. | 13% (figure is from 2005) | |
| Sugar beet | Resistance to glyphosate, glufosinate herbicides | New genes added/transferred into plant genome | 95% (2010); planting in 2011 under controlled conditions; 2012 deregulated | 9% |
| Sugarcane | Resistance to certain pesticides, high sucrose content. | New genes added/transferred into plant genome | ||
| Sweet peppers | Resistance to cucumber mosaic virus | Contains coat protein genes of the virus. | Small quantities grown in China | |
| Tomatoes | Suppression of the enzyme polygalacturonase (PG), retarding fruit softening after harvesting. | A reverse copy (an antisense gene) of the gene responsible for the production of PG enzyme added into plant genome | Taken off the market due to commercial failure. | Small quantities grown in China |
| Wheat | Resistance to glyphosate herbicide | New genes added/transferred into plant genome | unknown | unknown |
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