Years ago, researchers at Duke University compared many samples of fern DNA and found that they obtained a protein called neochrome that allows them to live in shady areas because it makes them sensitive to dim light. More recently, a graduate student tried to discover the origin of neochromes and found that they were present in hornwort plants, which are very distantly related to ferns. After much research, scientists concluded that one type of fern picked up the gene from a hornwort growing near it, and then more and more ferns acquired it. When this happens, plants usually replace one of their existing genes with the newly acquired gene.
I found all of this very interesting. People think of genetically modified crops as being unnatural, however, this is proof that in a way, it is naturally without any human intervention. I also think it is especially interesting because it is about plants, which do not have brains and cannot move, yet are still able to do amazing processes such as this horizontal gene transfer to improve their fitness in the environment.
Wow, this is an amazing article. I like it, and it kind of reminds me of a simplistic version of Primary Endosymbiosis (without the engulfing part.) I'm also a big fan of genetic engineering, and I love that these plants are doing it naturally.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a really interesting article, but still think that crops that are genetically altered by humans need to be researched a lot more.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is fascinating what plants are able to do, I still am hesitant to believe that genetically modifying plants is safe for humans to ingest. This field of genetics is growing rapidly and I am sure there will be a lot of research to perfect genetic modification to make sure people are not harmed by it.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting! I think it just goes to show that GMOs by their nature aren't dangerous, it is just the possibility that a certain GMO could have been modified to contain an enzyme or other item that is harmful to humans that means there could be some danger to them.
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