Mother of GMO, Mary-Dell Chilton, Dies
Take a quick look at the path opened by Mary-Dell Chilton, the pioneer of genetically modified plants Quickly see the beginnings and impact of GMO crops, and even the key issues
Dr. MaryDell Chilton, the scientist who developed the world’s first genetically modified plants, has died at the age of 87. According to U.S. media reports, Chilton died of heart failure on the 24th of last month.
Chilton is regarded as a figure who laid the foundations of plant genetic engineering. He demonstrated that the bacterium Agrobacterium transfers part of its DNA to plant cells, and based on this, advanced the technology for introducing foreign genes into plants.
This research led to the commercialization of GMO crops. Since then, corn, soybeans, and cotton resistant to pests, diseases, and drought have emerged, and it has also influenced discussions on agricultural productivity and solutions to food problems. However, concerns over the ecological impact of GMO expansion and controversies over seed monopolies have also been raised.