Post by theshee on Jun 7, 2011 10:41:04 GMT 10
It is seen by many as a modern day practice - and has people who are both for it and against.
But a study has revealed that even 10,000 years ago, cavemen were growing 'genetically-modified' rice.
The research showed that the ancient humans selected different strains of the rice and mixed their genes to create an ideal version of the crop.
This led to higher yields and better cultivation.
The discovery was made after an analysis of the genomes of wild rice alongside two sub-species with different histories.
This showed that the lengths of stems was shortened by variants in a gene called SD1.
This is one of the most important genes in modern rice breeding over the last fifty years, said Dr Masanori Yamasaki whose findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Over time the mutations in SD1 yielded rice with shorter stems, sturdier stalks and greater grain output.
The researchers found these are fixed in one sub-species of modern domesticated rice - but not in wild rice.
In addition much lower levels of genetic diversity were observed in the SD1 gene of the domesticated sub-species compared with wild rice.
This suggests the SD1 gene had been subjected to artificial selection during early rice domestication.
Dr Yamasaki, of Kobe University, and colleagues believe ancient humans took an interest in the height of rice plants and selected shorter plants with specific SD1 gene characteristics.
They said plant domestication involves the genetic modification of wild species to create a new plant to meet human needs.
The researchers said: 'During this domestication ancient humans subjected common agronomic traits to artificial selection, thereby increasing the seed or fruit size, synchronisation of growth and flowering, loss of seed dispersal, changes in plant architecture and other characteristics comprising the 'domestication syndrome'.
'These traits have contributed to more efficient cultivation, higher yields and more valuable products for human use.
'Consequently crop species have undergone extensive selection for these agronomically important traits and genes impacted by artificial selection can be essential genetic factors in the domestication process.
'These findings indicate SD1 has been subjected to artificial selection in rice evolution - suggesting ancient humans already used the green revolution gene.'
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1394938/Cavemen-grew-GM-modified-rice-10-000-years-ago.html#ixzz1OXvtRJmU
But a study has revealed that even 10,000 years ago, cavemen were growing 'genetically-modified' rice.
The research showed that the ancient humans selected different strains of the rice and mixed their genes to create an ideal version of the crop.
This led to higher yields and better cultivation.
The discovery was made after an analysis of the genomes of wild rice alongside two sub-species with different histories.
This showed that the lengths of stems was shortened by variants in a gene called SD1.
This is one of the most important genes in modern rice breeding over the last fifty years, said Dr Masanori Yamasaki whose findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Over time the mutations in SD1 yielded rice with shorter stems, sturdier stalks and greater grain output.
The researchers found these are fixed in one sub-species of modern domesticated rice - but not in wild rice.
In addition much lower levels of genetic diversity were observed in the SD1 gene of the domesticated sub-species compared with wild rice.
This suggests the SD1 gene had been subjected to artificial selection during early rice domestication.
Dr Yamasaki, of Kobe University, and colleagues believe ancient humans took an interest in the height of rice plants and selected shorter plants with specific SD1 gene characteristics.
They said plant domestication involves the genetic modification of wild species to create a new plant to meet human needs.
The researchers said: 'During this domestication ancient humans subjected common agronomic traits to artificial selection, thereby increasing the seed or fruit size, synchronisation of growth and flowering, loss of seed dispersal, changes in plant architecture and other characteristics comprising the 'domestication syndrome'.
'These traits have contributed to more efficient cultivation, higher yields and more valuable products for human use.
'Consequently crop species have undergone extensive selection for these agronomically important traits and genes impacted by artificial selection can be essential genetic factors in the domestication process.
'These findings indicate SD1 has been subjected to artificial selection in rice evolution - suggesting ancient humans already used the green revolution gene.'
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1394938/Cavemen-grew-GM-modified-rice-10-000-years-ago.html#ixzz1OXvtRJmU
Happy New Years Everybody!!!
