Cotton genetic engineering

Glufosinate has a broad weed spectrum (little to no selectivity), and is therefore sometimes marketed along with genetically engineered glufosinate-resistant crops (cotton, canola, maize, and rice). While this raises some concern in some parts of the world, transgenic technology has been widely accepted in the western hemisphere. Nevertheless, neither... 

The first successful field trial of genetically engineered cotton plants, was conducted by Calgene Inc. The plants had been engineered to withstand use of the herbicide Bromoxynil. 

But what about the dramatic reductions of pesticide use in China after the farmers started using genetically engineered Bt cotton I ask, Aren t you pleased that GE has helped reduce the use of pesticides ... 

Bt crop A crop plant genetically engineered to produce insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Current commercial Bt crops include Bt cotton, Bt corn, and Bt soybeans. 

This was published originally as a chapter in the Handbook of Fiber Chemistry, Third Edition. Because of particular interest in the new revised and expanded Cotton Fiber chapter, it is also now being published as a separate book. Why does this complex carbohydrate cotton get so much attention Cotton s many unique properties have made it useful as a textile fiber for over 5000 years. It is the most imporotant natural textile fiber used in spinning to produce apparel, home furnishings and industrial products—about 40% of all textile fiber consumed in the world. Annually, there is over 25 million metric tons of cotton produced in about 80 countries in the world and it is one of the lead crops to be genetically engineered. 

By genetic engineering, a soil bacterium Bacillus thuringienis or BT) has been modified to produce pesticides that are more toxic than natural ones. The modified genes have then been inserted into crop plants to create crops that synthesize their own pesticides. There is Bt corn with a toxin that destroys the European corn borer and other pests, and there is Bt cotton protected against the cotton bollworm and the budworm. 

John ME (1997) Cotton crop improvement through genetic engineering. Crit Rev Biotechnol 17 185-208... 

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