Timeline of genetically modified organisms
Encyclopedia
This is a timeline
of noteworthy genetically modified organism
s created in labs, including genetically modified food
s and other transgenic species and products (such as Glofish
).
Although Maxam and Gilbert published their chemical sequencing method two years after the ground-breaking paper of Sanger and Coulson on plus-minus sequencing, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing rapidly became more popular, since purified DNA could be used directly, while the initial Sanger method required that each read start be cloned for production of single-stranded DNA. However, with the improvement of the chain-termination method (see below), Maxam-Gilbert sequencing has fallen out of favour due to its technical complexity prohibiting its use in standard molecular biology kits, extensive use of hazardous chemicals, and difficulties with scale-up.
Timeline
A timeline is a way of displaying a list of events in chronological order, sometimes described as a project artifact . It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labeled with dates alongside itself and events labeled on points where they would have happened.-Uses of timelines:Timelines...
of noteworthy genetically modified organism
Genetically modified organism
A genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one...
s created in labs, including genetically modified food
Genetically modified food
Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms . Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques...
s and other transgenic species and products (such as Glofish
GloFish
The GloFish is a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified fluorescent zebrafish with bright red, green, orange-yellow, blue, and purple fluorescent colors...
).
1972- 1973
- Modern genetic engineering began in 1972 when United States Biochemists Herbert BoyerHerbert BoyerHerbert W. Boyer is a recipient of the 1990 National Medal of Science, co-recipient of the 1996 Lemelson-MIT Prize, and a co-founder of Genentech. He served as Vice President of Genentech from 1976 through his retirement in 1991....
and Stanley Cohen used enzymes to cut a bacteria plasmid and insert another strand of DNA in the gap. Both bits of DNA were from the same type of bacteria, but this milestone, the invention of recombinant DNA technology, offered a window into the previously impossible—the mixing of traits between totally dissimilar organisms.
1973
- Chinese scientist Tong DizhouTong DizhouTong Dizhou was a Chinese embryologist remembered for his contributions to the field of cloning. He was the former vice president of Chinese Academy of Science-Biography:...
creates the world's first interspecies clone by inserting Asian carp DNA into a European crucian carp.
- China genetically modifies rice to create the world's first hybrid rice in an attempt to help alleviate food shortages in the 3rd world
1976- 1977
- Allan MaxamAllan MaxamAllan Maxam is one of the pioneers of molecular genetics. He was one of the contributors to develop a DNA sequencing method at Harvard University, while working as a student in the laboratory of Walter Gilbert....
and Walter GilbertWalter GilbertWalter Gilbert is an American physicist, biochemist, molecular biology pioneer, and Nobel laureate.-Biography:Gilbert was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 21, 1932...
developed a DNA sequencing method based on chemical modification of DNA and subsequent cleavage at specific bases.
Although Maxam and Gilbert published their chemical sequencing method two years after the ground-breaking paper of Sanger and Coulson on plus-minus sequencing, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing rapidly became more popular, since purified DNA could be used directly, while the initial Sanger method required that each read start be cloned for production of single-stranded DNA. However, with the improvement of the chain-termination method (see below), Maxam-Gilbert sequencing has fallen out of favour due to its technical complexity prohibiting its use in standard molecular biology kits, extensive use of hazardous chemicals, and difficulties with scale-up.
1991
- DNA Plant TechnologyDNA Plant TechnologyDNA Plant Technology was an early pioneer in applying transgenic biotechnology to problems in agriculture. The company was founded in Cinnamonson, New Jersey. In 1994, their headquarters moved to Oakland, California...
receives approval from the US Department of Agriculture to field test its Fish tomatoFish tomatoInformally referred to as the "fish tomato", DNA Plant Technology's transgenic tomato is genetically engineered with a gene from the winter flounder....
but the plant is never successfully commercialized. The creation of a genetically-modified plant, with a fish transgene designed for human consumption galvanizes citizen skepticism towards the emerging technology.
1994
- The first modern recombinant crop approved for sale in the U.S., in 1994, was the FlavrSavrFlavrSavrFlavr Savr , a genetically modified tomato, was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. It was produced by the Californian company Calgene, and submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1992...
tomato, which had a longer shelf life. However, higher costs and same bland flavor as conventional tomatoes led to it losing money and disappearing from the shelves.
1996
- In 1996 a developer submitted a data set to the U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug AdministrationThe Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
for AquAdvantage Salmon.
2003
- The first genetically modified fish GlofishGloFishThe GloFish is a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified fluorescent zebrafish with bright red, green, orange-yellow, blue, and purple fluorescent colors...
is introduced into the market in the U.S.
2010
- MonsantoMonsantoThe Monsanto Company is a US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation. It is the world's leading producer of the herbicide glyphosate, marketed in the "Roundup" brand of herbicides, and in other brands...
corporation through its Indian subsidiary Mahyco unsuccessfully attempted to introduce Bt brinjalBt brinjalThe Bt brinjal is a suite of transgenic brinjals created by inserting a crystal protein gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into the genome of various brinjal cultivars...
, which was put on hold due to citizen organizing against approval for sale in the country.
- AmfloraAmfloraAmflora is a genetically modified potato owned by BASF Plant Science. Amflora was approved for industrial applications in the European Union market on 2 March 2010 by the European Commission.-History:...
was approved for industrial applications in the European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
by the European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
. AmfloraAmfloraAmflora is a genetically modified potato owned by BASF Plant Science. Amflora was approved for industrial applications in the European Union market on 2 March 2010 by the European Commission.-History:...
is a genetically modifiedGenetically modified organismA genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one...
potatoPotatoThe potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
the result of two decades of research efforts. The Amflora potato is selected for its special starch properties used in paper making and adhesives.