ABSTRACT
Modern genetic engineering techniques have developed from fundamental research into the molecular biology of organisms, the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins that define the genotype and phenotype of all life on Earth, from virus particles to plants and animals, including humans. In Mexico, GM crops are considered as the reducing agent for genetic diversity which is increased by the introduction of genes from wild relatives. The first GM crop was the GM potatoes emerged in the UK and is engineered using virus resistance genes from the wild potato relative Solanum brevidens, a different species. In Brazil, the scientists are enthusiastic about the GM approaches and they felt that they were losing the control of the crop breeding and so the benefits of their work to multinational companies. More broadly, the public in many countries feels that decision-making over the application of GM has been taken out of their hands, a general lack of consultation.
