Do single-gene traits displace genetic diversity?
What happens when a characteristic controlled by a single gene, such as transgenic, Bt-based insect resistance or herbicide resistance, is introduced into the genetic background of an established variety? Current knowledge and theory in maize genetics suggests that there should be little impact on genetic diversity. Most genes in maize are independent, meaning that they will diffuse independently through a maize population rather than remain linked to other genes in that population. For instance, if a modern yellow-grain variety (such as those imported from the United States) carrying a transgene, such as Bt, is planted in a field with a traditional white-grain landrace, after a few generations, there would be plants with yellow grain and the transgene, with white grain and the transgene, with yellow grain and no transgene, and with white grain and no transgene. So, although the gene has introgressed into a field, diversity has not decreased-in fact, one could argue the opposite is tru
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- Do single-gene traits displace genetic diversity?
