Question

In a few species, chloroplast genes are inherited only from sperm. How might this influence efforts to prevent transgene escape?

Short answer

The transgene cannot be incorporated into the chloroplast DNA to prevent the transgene from getting into pollen in such species; the chloroplast DNA must be present only in the eggs. A new approach, such as male sterility, apomixis, or self-pollinating closed flowers, would be required to avoid transgene escape.

Step-by-step solution

Transgenic organism

Genes can be edited in one species and transferred from one species to another. Genetic engineering is possible thanks to recombinant DNA technologies. Transgenic creatures have had their genomes tampered with by another organism. Genetic engineering is another term for this method.

Apomixis

Seed generation without meiosis or syngamy is called apomixis. It is crucial for the generation of hybrid seeds. In this procedure, plants produce seedlings that are genetically identical to their mothers. This process occurs without the fertilization of eggs.

Male sterility

Male sterility in plants refers to a condition in which gametes cannot act in the fertilization process because they cannot fuse the eggs for various reasons. It prevents the plant from self-pollinating and allows the egg to be fertilized by another plant.

A particular method involves genetically engineering flowers that do not open when they grow to reduce the risk of transgene escape. The bloom would self-pollinate, although pollen would not leave the bud.