Exchange of Genetic Material Between

Exchange of Genetic Material Between Cells in Plant Tissue Grafts

In genetic recombination, a strand of DNA or RNA molecule is broken and the joined to a different DNA molecule. The occurring chromosomal crossover results on the next generation have a combination of the two parent's strands donating the DNA. Gregor Mendel first discovered the bases for genetics with his experiments with peas and their characteristics. This paper looks at Luther Burbank and whether he did the first genetic recombination experiments or not.

Genetic engineering has become a blessing and a curse as some combinations like the Burbank Russet potato have been a blessing to all people who enjoy McDonald's French fries but the killer bees have proven to be a disaster. In genetics, the belief was that graphed tissue cells retained their DNA integrity and did not mix their genetic material, but recent findings are disproving this theory. In the article, "Exchange of Genetic Material between Cells in Plant Tissue Grafts," Stegemann and Bock (2009) conclude, "our discover of grafting mediated gene transfer blurs the boundary between natural gene transfer and genetic engineering and suggest that grafting provides an avenue for genes to cross species barriers." Phylogenetic evidence from the test run on two transgenic tobacco lines grafted together suggest that DNA can be transferred between isolated species and grafting opens the path for gene transfer.

The question arises 'Who did the first recombination experiments in plants?' And the answer depends on the person asked. Some will say Mendel and others will say Burbanks. Mendel discovered the genetic inheritance traits of garden peas and did hybridization crossing of peas and in later life he tried to cross bees. Luther Burbank, on the other hand, crossed and even grafted plants and trees together. Buying a 17 acre farm with the inheritance left him at age 21 by his father, Burbank got to work on producing better strains of plants and trees to increase yield, promote disease resistance, resist environmental changes, and resistance to insects and fungus'. Burbank cross pollinated all the flowers of plants by hand and planted all the resulting seeds. From these seeds, he then selected the most promising plants to cross with other ones to ensure the best was achieved. From the book, "The Cavalcade of America," the unknown author refers to Burbank as the "Plant Wizard" and writes of the many lasting accomplishments he made in regards to the field of agriculture. (Cavalcade, 1946, pg 129). Many scientist dispute Burbanks and his work due to the documentation kept was not in line with 'proper' scientific documentation.

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