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First Event
Anton van Leeuwenhoek was the first scientist to descibe protozoa and bacteria. He also recognised that microorgasims may play a role in fermentation.
The discovery of microorganisms paved the way into many fields of sciences like microbiology.This event jumpstarted the science behind genectically modified foods. -
Second Event
James Watson and Francis Crick propose the double helix structure of DNA.
This discovery allowed researchers to understand what every single living organism's chemical make-up looks like and workings. This event made the production of genectically modified foods possible. -
Third Event
Scientists successfully created a recombinant organism by transferring viral DNA into a bacterium.
Researchers are now able to take DNA from one organism and place it into another. This event was a biotech revolution because it was now possible to make different types of an organism. -
Fourth Event
US patents reward companies that produce genectically modified plants. Kary Mullis creates the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used to multiply DNA sequences.
The US is okay with the idea of genectically modified plants and with this discovery it is possible create multiple DNA sequences. Scientists would then be able to use many different sequences at once and it be less work to get a sequence over and over when you can just multiply it. -
Fifth Event
The US Enviroment Protection Authority approves the release of the first genectically modified plant - a virus resistant tobacco plant.
This event shows that the US approves production of GM plants and that it is allowed to be used as merchandise.The US is willing to turn to genectically modified foods to meet its own consumer's needs. -
Sixth Event
Calgene Inc. use a tomato DNA sequence to try to extend shelf life. Scientists at Waite Institute in Adelaide modify a bacterium that protects plants from crown gall. In the UK, genes are modified to make potatoes more nutritious and filled with protien.
This event shows the starting of GM based experiments. It also shows that researchers are starting to work to create more nutritious and healthy food to feed the world's population. -
Seventh Event
The first GM food product, the FlavrSavr tomato, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
This event shows that now US citizens are exposed to GM foods. The GM tomato is the first product to be released in everyday supermarkets to be eaten by people and allows citizens to know about it. -
Eighth Event
Researchers at Scotland's Roslin Institute clone a sheep.
This is a turning point on duplicating plants and animals because it is now possible to do it. Being able to clone an organism makes the possibility of more food from just one plant or animal is considered. -
Ninth Event
Australia has its first Consensus Conference to deal with the response of growth in discoveries in gene technology.
This shows that gene technoloy is being noticed for its discoveries. Moreover, with the usefulness of the discoveries it is plausible that gene technology has become a solution to some of the world's problems. -
Tenth Event
Researchers find the DNA sequence for rice, makin it the first plant to have its genome decoded. Dolly, the sheep, was put down. Australia passes two laws to regulate cloning and stem cell research.
This event shows that finding the DNA sequences of plants is now possible. In addition, it shows that they are using the information and discoveries to help save people from starvation. -
Eleventh Event
More DNA sequences of plants and other organisms will be discovered. This will cause a mass production of GM foods and it will also better meet the world's growing population consumer needs. -
Twelveth Event
With more food, the world's population will continue to increase and soon there would be no room on Earth for the growing of GM foods or the human population.
