Marker Assisted Selection - a genetic compromise

ONE area where both sides of the GM divide could meet is on emerging technologies such as Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), which is currently the subject of heavy funding and research.

It is being used to develop new crops at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and has won the blessing of anti-GM groups the Soil Association and Greenpeace as well as the major biotech firms.

MAS uses a series of genetic markers to highlight genes of interest in a plant, allowing scientists to combine genetics with conventional breeding.

Once a gene of interest has been highlighted, scientists can cross it with another plant and then test for presence of the highlighted gene in the new plant to see whether the trait has been passed on.

The technique uses knowledge built up through GM research and applies it to conventional breeding to produce a new plant.

The major difference is that MAS introduces the new gene under the control of the crop’s genome, avoiding the ‘unpredictable effects’ of GM often cited by campaigners.

The equivalent of some crops under development with GM technology, such as Omega 3 soy bean, could not be produced through MAS, although it could be a useful tool in producing stress-resistant, high yielding crop varieties.