"Frontmatter". In: Plant Genomics and Proteomics

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VERVIEW
The increased understanding of the structure and function of plant genomes
and the ability to manipulate those functions have far reaching implications;
for example, the application of this knowledge for the improvement of crop
plants is an important activity to ensure the world food supply. Many of the
basic discoveries concerning the function of particular genes, and more
specifically the characteristics conferred on an individual by a combination
of specific alleles, can be included in conventional breeding techni-
ques. However, the ability to transform plants and introduce genes from 
any source has opened a much more elaborate toolbox for considering 
and applying novel approaches to plant improvement. The same technology
that has been used to confirm many of the conclusions about the function 
of particular genes, namely the development of transgenic plants, has also
been extensively used in the development of new crop varieties, particu-
larly those in which genes for herbicide and insect resistances have been
introduced. 
Traditional plant breeding, which involves the development of new vari-
eties by rounds of intercrossing and selection, has been very successful in
improving the performance of crop plants. However, even if advantage is
taken of using various parts of the world to complete multiple generations
of breeding in a single calendar year, new varieties still take many years to
develop and release. Therefore, both the potential of transgenic methods 
to circumvent many generations of backcrossing and the use of marker-
assisted selection to improve the efficiency of the identification of the desired
Plant Genomics and Proteomics, by Christopher A. Cullis
ISBN 0-471-37314-1 Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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combination of genes have impacted plant breeding. In addition to the direct
scientific impacts, the development of the molecular techniques has also
siphoned support from traditional approaches to plant breeding, both in the
actual breeding and in training in this area. Thus public funding support 
has been redirected away from conventional plant breeding and toward 
molecular genetic approaches (Knight, 2003). The situation becomes more
involved when we consider that the trend away from public plant breeding
efforts to commercial sector breeding programs has also altered the spectrum
of crops and traits involved. However, windfalls of data can occur when
these commercial programs are discontinued, such as the release into the
public sector of the wheat EST data from Dupont when it discontinued its
wheat breeding program. 
Because commercial breeding efforts are geared toward generating
profits, the development of varieties that are suitable for growth in some of
the challenging environments in developing countries will not necessarily
be commercially attractive. Therefore, it is important that efforts are made
to transfer the technical expertise to these countries, along with the infra-
structure to enable the application of genomics discoveries to food security
issues of the developing world.
Public understanding of the science and technology underlying the pro-
duction of transgenic crops is crucial to the future of this technology. Without
the appropriate knowledge it will be impossible for the public to make objec-
tive decisions regarding the pros and cons of genetically modified (GM) food
production and consumption. This is clearly a challenge where science lit-
eracy is relatively poor and a number of different factions are taking very
disparate stands on both the safety and benefits of this technology. 
W
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The two most common types of genes currently being used in transgenic
crops for commercial production are those that confer herbicide resistance
and insect resistance (Bt genes). Soybean, corn, cotton, and canola are the
four major GM crops currently being grown. The amount of land devoted
to growing GM crops has continued to increase (Figure 10.1). However,
although GM crops were grown in 16 countries in 2002, just 4 countries (USA
66%, Argentina 23%, Canada 6%, and China 2.1%) accounted for 99% of the
total global plantings (James, 2002). 
The major issues relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) fall
into four general areas: 
1. Safety, including: 
a. The safety of the product itself to the end user
b. The risks of releasing the GMO into the environment
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2. Trade issues: The acceptance or rejection of GM foods by a nation
impacts import regulations. 
3. Developing regulations for the testing and release of GMOs.
4. Who is, and/or should be, deriving benefit from GM products—the
consumers, producers, farmers, and/or technology developers?