The word Transgenic is composed of trans meaning transfer and genic meaning gene. Transgenic means genetically modified organism. A plant of improved quality is created by taking a gene from one cell and adding it to another cell is called a transgenic plant. Transgenic crops are being cultivated commercially to increase their economic importance. Methods such as pollen mediated transformation, microinjection, electroporation, mediated gene transfer etc. are used to create transgenic plants.
Transgenic crops are grown in about 30 countries around the world. Transgenic plants have been developed in 60 higher plant species in the world. These plants are wheat, bhutra, tomato, tobacco, cotton, papaya, rye, sunflower, pear, grape etc. 40% of corn, 50% of cotton and 45% of soybeans grown in America are transgenic crops.
