Transgenic technology for insect resistance: Current achievements and future prospects

Genetic engineering of plants to protect them against insects can overcome some of the obstacles that hinder conventional breeding, and can reduce costs and risks associated with insecticide use. Since the late 1980s, dozens of economically important plant species have been engineered to express heterologous genes providing insect protection. Crops expressing insecticidal crystal protein genes from Bacillus thuringiensis were among the first transgenic products approved for commercial use. While many of these were readily adopted by producers, concerns remain about consumer attitudes towards transgenic food, the long-term effects of planting large areas with transgenic insecticidal crops, and the ability of targeted pests to evolve resistance to expressed plant protectants.