A Life-Threatening Review on Genetic Engineering of Crop Plants: Insect Resistance

Abstract

To fulfill the needs of sustainable agriculture in the twenty-first century, genetically engineering inherent insect pest resistance in crops has the potential to be a user-friendly, environmentally friendly, and consumer-friendly crop protection technique. Until far, the focus has been on introducing genes that allow customized Bacillus thuringiensis toxins to be expressed. Plant-derived insect control genes are a popular alternate method. Transgenic plants expressing various protease inhibitors, lectins, and other proteins have shown improved resistance to a wide range of pests in laboratory trials. Both classes of compounds have drawbacks: BT cotton has had serious failures in pest resistance; most plant-derived resistance considerations produce chronic instead than acute elects; but many significant pests are simply invulnerable to known resistance factors. The significance of a shift in this sector toward a more socially responsible mindset, as well as the need for a much better presentation of the advantages and responsible deployment of genetically modified crops, is underlined.