Table Of ContentGenetic Engineering
and Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
and
Biotechnology
Concepts, Methods and
Agronomic Applications
Yves Tourte
Honorary Professor, University of Poitiers
Poitiers, France
with the collaboration of
Catherine Tourte
PhD, Professor, BTS Anabiotec
Carole Moreau-Vauzelle
Illustrator
Boca Raton London New York
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ISBN 13: 978-1-57808-356-5 (pbk)
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tourte, Yves.
Genetic engineering and biotechnology concepts, rr.ethods,
and agronomic applicatio~s / Yves Tourte, with the
collaboration of Catherine Tourte Carole Mo:::-eau-Vauzelle,
illusLraLOY -
p. cm.
Includes biblioqrap:lical re::"erences and index.
ISBN l-57808-356-7
1. Plant biotechnology. :::i1ant genetic enginee::cing.
I. Tourte, Catherine, II. Title.
SB106.B56T684 2004
631. S '233--dc22
2004052487
Translation of: Genie Genetique et Biotechnologies, Concepts, methods
et applications agronomiques, Dunod, Paris. 2002. Updated
by the author for the English edition in 2003-2004.
French edition: © Dunod, Paris, 2002
Preface
The precise knowledge, control, and development of tools that will give us
complete mastery of the information contained in the genome of cells
seems to be the last of the grand quests of the human spirit. This
advance of the biological sciences involves immense possibilities and
numerous applications, but also new and important responsibilities.
Biotechnology and genetic engineering are full of promise for food self-
sufficiency and human health, according to some, and a formidable
power, uncontrollable and dangerous, according to others. In any case,
these new approaches to the living world cannot be ignored by any of us,
especially those who study a biological formation of a higher order. Most
often studied at the primary level, biotechnology, particularly genetic
engineering, its most interesting field, must be more particularly
studied at advanced levels in its fundamental aspects of biological
concepts as well as its applications, which are beginning to affect our
daily lives.
At first, these new technologies involved the most simple organisms,
which often had small genomes, such as bacteria and yeasts. It was only
later that the stable transgenesis of eukaryotic cells could be obtained
and, curiously, it was in the plants that it was developed most rapidly.
Transgenic crops are today numerous and are already a familiar part of
our daily diet!
In its programme and its contents, this book is addressed primarily
to students of biology (bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biochemistry,
cellular biology, physiology, and biology of organisms) as well as to
students of the natural sciences who are preparing for competitive
entrance examinations, and teachers’ examinations in biochemistry and
biology. With its numerous references to agronomic applications, it is
useful to students in preparatory classes for the major agronomic schools
as well as to students of shorter and specialized university courses
(“Anabiotech” vocational training in biochemistry and plant production,
technical institutes of applied biology). Two-year diploma students who
wish to pursue their studies further can also benefit from this book.
The authors felt it would be helpful to devote the first part of the
book to a recapping and integration of the essentials of plant biology,
agronomy, and molecular biology so as to be able to address more easily
the techniques, concepts, and stakes of plant biotechnology in the
vi Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
various sectors in which it exerts its influence, including agro-food,
health, environment, and energy.
The second part contains a discussion of the principles and practice
of techniques of everything concerning in vitro procedures,
identification, and direct and indirect transfer of genes and the control
of the functioning of transgenes.
Agronomic, bioindustrial, or environmental applications that are
already practised are discussed in the third part of the book. Some
considerations that are deliberately prospective are raised to identify
sectors in which need, or sometimes simple curiosity, will drive active
expansion of these technologies in the short and medium term.
Bioethics, a moral, philosophical, and political discipline, imposed by
advances in genetic engineering and the extraordinary development of
these possible applications, is treated in the fourth part.
The authors wish to thank all those who, in various ways, directly
and indirectly, participated in the genesis and realization of this project.
They are particularly grateful to Carole Moreau-Vauzelle and Michel
Bordonneau, their partners and collaborators, who invested their time
and energy, the first by her contribution to the illustration of this work
and the second by his critical reading of the manuscript.
Contents
Preface v
Introduction 1
Chapter 1. Some basic concepts of biology 3
1.1. Biology and plant physiology 3
1.1.1. The range of living organisms and the place of plants 3
1.1.2. Plant growth and development 8
1.1.3. Plant reproduction 20
1.2. Agronomy 38
1.2.1. Wild plants and cultivated plants 38
1.2.2. Agriculture and agronomy 39
1.2.3. The objectives of agriculture 42
1.3. Cellular and molecular biology 54
1.3.1. Information in the cell 54
1.3.2. Controlling genetic information 61
Chapter 2. Plant biotechnology and genetic engineering 75
2.1. A new science but an old partner ofa griculture 75
2.2. In vitro culture 76
2.2.1. In vitro culture of organs and tissues 76
2.2.2. In vitro culture of meristems 79
2.2.3. Culture of plant cells 84
2.2.4. Protoplasts 88
2.2.5. In vitro culture of haploids 94
2.3. Gene transfer in plants 99
2.3.1. A practice as “old” as life 99
viii Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
2.3.2. Crown gall disease and natural genetic engineering 100
2.3.3. Controlled genetic engineering 103
2.4. Plant biotechnology and other biotechnologies 121
Chapter 3. Applications of biotechnology and genetic engineering 125
3.1. Examples of the impact of biotechnology and
genetic engineering on agronomy 125
3.1.1. Problems of choice and evaluation 125
3.1.2. Plants affected by biotechnology 126
3.1.3. The whole plant and its organs 128
3.1.4. Major metabolic pathways 130
3.1.5. Resistance and plant protection 140
3.1.6. Molecular markers and plant breeding 148
3.1.7. A provisional assessment 149
3.2. Plant biotechnology and bio-industries 149
3.2.1. A quick overview of bio-industries 149
3.2.2. Agro-food industry 152
3.2.3. Fibre industry 156
3.2.4. The health sector 158
3.2.5. The environment 161
3.2.6. The energy sector 163
3.2.7. A provisional assessment 164
Chapter 4. Plant biotechnologies and bioethics 167
4.1. Evaluation of risks 167
4.1.1. Transmission of transgenes through food 168
4.1.2. Behaviour of the transgene in its new environment 169
4.1.3. Flow and dissemination of transgenes 170
4.1.4. Appearance of resistance 171
4.1.5. Ownership of transformed plants 172
4.2. Evaluation of advantages 172
4.2.1. A remarkable tool of knowledge 173
4.2.2. Productive and environment-friendly agriculture 173
4.2.3. More focused industrial uses 174
4.3. Regulatory mechanisms 175
Contents ix
Conclusion. The future of biotechnology and genetic
engineering in plants 177
Excercises 178
Possible Answers 181
Glossary 187
Index 195
