Re: Gene transfer

[wytze <geno@zap.a2000.nl>]

Austin Tanney wrote:

> > Austin,
> > It is not specifically the Bt toxin gene I am worried about. It is the inserted
> > genes in general;  fungal, viral, bacterial etc. that do not  belong to the plant
> > in which they are inserted and which may transfer. That this can happen has been
> > demonstrated already.
> > It is exactly because of the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes that GE
> > is so much questioned, especially because this gene exchange does not happen
> > normally.
> > wytze
> >
>
> As I said though, the Bt gene specifically is a procaryotic gene and
> could therefore transfer to other prokaryotes anyway. Also, how
> can you be sure that lateral gene transfer does not happen
> between pro and eukaryotes?
>

Well, some remarks and questions. First, the amount of Bt genes strongly increases with
all these millions of hectares of transgenic crops. Would that not have an effect?
Second,  could the fact that the gene is taken from its normal positioning have an effect
on the transferpossibility? Third, lateral gene transfer between pro- and eukaryotes does
happen in a few rare cases, in a very specific and limited way. Agrobacterium tumefaciens
is the best example of this and I assume you are familiar with it. However,  the fact
that it is so limited and specific is very meaningful and needs to be understood. The
transgression in GE of these limitations on natural lateral gene transferis what raises
the questions.
wytze

> Austy
> Austin Tanney
> 19 Burnside Mews
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