5.15 Genetically Modified Plants

• Maize
• Maize which is damaged by cork borer larvae reduces crop yield by 20%
• "BT", a bacteria that contains a chromosome with a gene that, when activated, produces "BT" toxins
• Can kill the cork borer larvae
• The DNA from the BT gene is cut with restriction enzymes
• isolates the desired gene
• Transferred to the cells of the maize plant via 'gene gun'
• Genegun fires a tiny golden pellet coated with DNA 
• DNA contains the desired BT gene
• Fired directly into young plant tissue
• The genetically modified tissue can be grown into new plants
• gives maize resistance againts damage from the cork borer larvae