TIMELINE
(4.3)
1859 – The Origin of the Species
Charles Darwin contributed extensive information on the knowledge of breeding in the publication of the first edition of The Origin of the Species. This work of scientific literature is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. (4.2)
(4.5)
1869 – Discovery of Nuclein
Friedrich Miescher discovered nuclein in the nuclei of cells. A major component of nuclein is DNA. (4.2)
(4.7)
1953 – Double Helix
The double helix structure of DNA was proposed by James Watson and Francis Crick. (4.2)
(4.9)
1966 – Genetic Code
Marshall Nirenberg & Har Gobind Khorana successfully revealed the genetic code. (4.2)
(4.11)
1973 – rDNA
The previously minimal knowledge of rDNA was expanded by a grad student at Stanford University Medical School. Professor Herbert Boyer and several of his biologist colleagues were involved in this research. (4.1)
(4.13)
1974 – First GMO
Stanley Cohen, Annie Chang and Herbert Boyer develop the first genetically modified DNA organism. (4.2)
(4.15)
1980 – First GMO Patent Issued
A 1980 court case between a genetics engineer at General Electric and the U.S. Patent Office is settled by a 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling, allowing for the first patent on a living organism. The GMO in question is a bacterium with an appetite for crude oil, ready to gobble up spills. (4.1)
(4.17)
1980's to early 1990's – China
China begins allowing the sale of GM crops, especially a virus-resistant tobacco and a tomato. (4.2)
(4.19)
1995 – Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin, a protein found in human blood, is produced by a transgenic tobacco variety. (4.2)
(4.21)
1995 – Bt Corn
Bt corn (corn modified with a bacterium gene to give it insect resistance) goes on the market in the USA. (4.2)
(4.23)
1996 – GMO-Resistant Weeds
Weeds resistant to glyphosate, are detected in Australia. Glyphosate is a herbicide developed by Monsanto to kill weeds and grasses known to compete with commercial crops grown around the world. Research shows that these super weeds are 7 to 11 times more resistant to glyphosate than the standard susceptible population. (4.1)
(4.25)
1998 – GM Labeling
First GM labelling rules are introduced to provide consumers with information regarding the use of GM ingredients in food. (4.2)
(4.27)
2003 – GMO-Resistant Pests
A Bt-toxin-resistant caterpillar-cum-moth, Helicoverpa zea, is found eating GMO Bt cotton crops in the southern United States. In less than 10 years, the bugs have adapted to the genetically engineered toxin produced by the modified plants. (4.1)
(4.29)
2010 – Amflora Potato
Amflora was approved for industrial applications in the European Union by the European Commission. Amflora is a genetically modified potato and was the result of two decades of research efforts. The Amflora potato is especially selected for its unique starch properties which is applicable in paper making and adhesives. (4.2)
(4.4)
1865 – Laws of Inheritance
The foundation of modern genetics came to be when Gregor Mendel shared his discoveries on the breeding of peas. (4.2)
(4.6)
1935 – Discovery of DNA
Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky, a Russian scientist, successfully isolates pure DNA. (4.1)
(4.8)
1958 – DNA Replication
The semi-conservative replication of DNA is illustrated by Matthew Meselson and Franklin Stahl. During the process of replication, DNA forms a copy of itself. One strand of the original DNA remains the same, while the other contains newly synthesized DNA. (4.2)
(4.10)
Late 1960s – Restriction Enzymes
Restriction enzymes were discovered in E. coli by scientists Stewart Linn & Werner Arber. (4.2)
(4.12)
1973 – DNA Vectors
The Ti plasmid in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteria, which was used to genetically engineer plants, was identified. It was then used as a vector to introduce foreign DNA into the cells of plants. (4.2)
(4.14)
1975 – Asilomar Conference
In order to ensure safe use of genetically engineered DNA, several biologists gathered with lawyers and doctors to develop safety guidelines. At this conference, scientists reached an agreement on self regulation and how the newly discovered recombinant DNA technology should advance. (4.1)
(4.16)
1982 – FDA Approves First GMO
An type of insulin, produced by genetically engineered E. coli bacteria, called Humulin appears on the market. (4.1)
(4.18)
1994 – GMO Hits Grocery Stores
Sale of the Flavr Savr in public grocery stores is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This tomato has a delayed-ripening time, which results in a longer shelf life than conventional tomatoes. (4.1)
(4.20)
1995 – Bt Potato
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Potato was approved safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, making it the first pesticide producing crop to be approved in the USA. (4.2)
(4.22)
1995 – Roundup Ready Soybeans
Roundup Ready Soybeans (soy beans resistant to glyphosate herbicide (Roundup)) is first introduced in the USA. (4.2)
(4.24)
1997 – Mandatory Labels
The European Union rules in favor of mandatory labeling on all GMO food products, including animal feed. (4.1)
(4.26)
1999 – GMO Food Crops Dominate
The agricultural marketplace begins to embrace GMO technology at a dramatic rate. In the year of 1999, over 100 million acres are planted with genetically engineered seeds worldwide. (4.1)
(4.28)
2008 – GA21 Maize
The GM maize GA21 for feed and food use, import, and processing is approved by the European Commission. However, GA21 is not authorized for cultivation in the European Union. (4.2)