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Adventitious presence Refers to the unintentional or accidental occurrence of one type of material in another Agrobacterium tumefaciens A bacterium that causes crown gall disease in some plants. The bacterium characteristically infects a wound and incorporates a segment of Ti plasmid DNA into the host genome. This DNA causes the host cell to grow into a tumour-like structure that synthesises specific carbon sources that only the pathogen can metabolise. This DNA-transfer mechanism is exploited in the genetic engineering of plants Alleles An alternative form of a gene. One of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single spot on a chromosome Allergy A hypersensitivity to a substance that causes the body to develop an immune response Allergen Any substance capable of inducing an allergy Amino acid A compound containing both amino (NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups. In particular any of 20 basic building blocks of proteins Antibiotic A class of natural and synthetic compounds that inhibit the growth of, or kill some micro-organisms Antibiotic resistance The ability of a micro-organism to disable an antibiotic or prevent its transport into the cell Antibiotic resistance marker gene Genes, usually of bacterial origin, used as selection markers in transgenesis, because their presence allows cell survival in the presence of normally toxic antibiotic agents. These genes were commonly used in the development and release of first generation transgenic organisms (particularly crop plants) Antigen A substance that elicits an immune response and stimulates the production of antibodies Arabidopsis A genus of flowering plants in the Cruciferae. A. thaliana is used in research as model plant because it has a small fully sequenced genome, can be cultured and transformed easily, and has a rapid generation time Asexual Reproduction not involving meiosis or the union of gametes Bacillus thuringiensis Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a bacterium that produces a toxin that kills insects (mainly in the genera Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths etc.), Diptera (flies, midgets etc.) and Coleoptera (beetles)) and is a major component of microbial pesticides. Researchers have now incorporated the bacteriums insect toxins into the genome of plants to make crops insect-resistant Biennial A plant that completes its lifecycle in two years, flowering in the second year, and then dies Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part Biofuel A gaseous, liquid or solid fuel derived from a biological source, e.g. ethanol, rapeseed oil or fish liver oil Biopharming The use of genetically transformed crop plants and livestock animals to produce valuable compounds, especially pharmaceuticals Bioremediation A process that uses living organisms to remove contaminants, pollutants or unwanted substances from soil or water Biotechnology “Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use” (Definition from the Convention on Biological Diversity) Bolter Premature flowering e.g. of a beet plant in year one of its two year biennial cycle Bt See Bacillus thuringiensis CA Competent Authority Canola A specific group of oilseed rape cultivars Cell The smallest structural unit of living organisms that is able to function independently Certified seed Officially approved commercial seed that is distinct from other varieties, is uniform and stable, remains true to type over time and is sufficiently pure and free of pests and diseases for agricultural use Chloroplast Specialised segment of the cell containing chlorophyll and involved in the synthesis of sugars and starch. Chloroplasts have their own DNA; these genes are inherited only through the female parent and are independent of nuclear genes Chromosome In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are the nuclear bodies containing most of the genes largely responsible for the differentiation and activity of the cell. They contain most of the cell’s DNA and each eukaryotic species has a characteristic number of chromosomes Clone stock Group of plants genetically identical in which all are derived from one selected individual by vegetative propagation Codon One of the groups of three consecutive nucleotides in mRNA, which represent the unit of genetic coding by specifying a particular amino acid during the synthesis of polypeptides in a cell Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) The international treaty governing the conservation and use of biological resources around the world, that has also called for the establishment of rules to govern the international movement of non-indigenous living organisms and genetically modified organisms. Conventional agriculture Traditional agricultural practices excluding GM and organic production methods Cross-fertilisation The union of male and female gametes from different individuals of the same species Cross-pollination Application of pollen from one plant to another to effect the latter’s fertilisation CSO Central Statistics Office Cultivar An internationally accepted term denoting a variety of a cultivated plant. Must be distinguishable from other varieties by stated characteristics and must retain their distinguishing characters when reproduced under specific conditions DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Rep. of Ireland) DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland) Deliberate release In the context of biotechnology, the intentional release under approved legislation, of GMOs either for experimental or commercial use Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) A long chain polymer of deoxyribonucleotides. DNA constitutes the genetic material of most known organisms and organelles, and usually is in the form of a double helix, although some viral genomes consist of a single strand of DNA and others of a single- or double-stranded RNA Diploid The status of having two complete sets of chromosomes, most commonly one set of paternal origin and the other of maternal origin DUS Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability tests as used for variety identification in official crop variety registration. EC European Community ECB European Corn Borer (larvae of a moth) EU European Union EP European Parliament EPA Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) Feral plant Domesticated plants reverting to the wild type outside the cropped area Fungicide A chemical agent toxic to fungi FSAI Food Safety Authority of Ireland Gene The unit of heredity transmitted from generation to generation during sexual or asexual reproduction. More generally, the term is used in relation to the transmission and inheritance of particular identifiable traits. The simplest gene consists a segment of nucleic acid that encodes an individual protein or RNA Gene bank The location where collections of genetic material in the form of seeds, tissues, or reproductive cells of plants or animals are stored Gene flow The spread of genes from one breeding population to another (usually related) population by migration Gene stacking Where two or more modified genes are included in the genome of an organism Genetic engineering The process of modifying an organism’s genotype Genetic marker A DNA sequence used to identify a specific location on a particular chromosome Genetic modification The technology of altering genetic material of an organism by the direct introduction or removal of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Genetically modified (GM) An organism in which the genetic material has been altered by the direct introduction (or removal) of DNA Genetically modified organism (GMO) An organism in which the genetic material has been altered by the direct introduction (or removal) of DNA. GM construct The engineered unit transferred into the host plant, typically containing the gene or genes of interest, a marker gene and appropriate control sequences as a single package GM crops One type of GMO. Crop plants whose genetic material has been altered by the direct introduction or removal of DNA in order to confer particular characteristics on the plant GM feed Animal feed harvested from a GM crop GM food Food that contains above a certain legal minimum content of raw material obtained from genetically modified organisms GM grain Grain harvested from a GM crop and intended for use as animal feed GM non-food crops A subset of GM crops that are not used in food or feed. For example, GM crops for industrial/medicinal use GMO Genetically modified organism GM seed Seed harvested from a genetically modified crop and intended for planting another GM crop Genetic use restriction technology A proposed technology applying transgenesis to genetically compromise the fertility or performance of saved seed of a cultivar or of second generation animals. The intention is to protect the market for the seed producer or to prevent undesired escape of genes. Genome The entire complement of genetic material (genes plus non-coding sequences) present in each cell of an organism, virus or organelle Genomics Research into the structure, function and evolution of genes Genotype The genetic makeup, as distinguished from the physical appearance, of an organism or a group of organisms Glucosinolates A class of molecules produced in the seeds and green tissue of a range of plants, in particular brassicas. Their natural role is thought to be involved in plant-insect interactions. Their importance in plant breeding is largely because of their negative influence on taste and their positive effect on the prevention of cancers of the alimentary tract Green revolution Name given to the dramatic increase in crop productivity during the third quarter of the 20th century, as a result of integrated advances in genetics and plant breeding, agronomy, pest and disease control, etc Haploid A cell or organism containing one of each of the pairs of homologous chromosomes found in the normal diploid cell Herbaceous A non-woody plant e.g. grass, wheat, roses etc. Herbicide A substance that is toxic to plants. The active ingredient in agrochemicals intended to kill specific unwanted plants, especially weeds Heterozygous Having two different alleles for a single trait. For example, the gene for seed shape in pea plants exists in two forms, one form or allele for round seed shape (R) and the other for wrinkled seed shape (r). A heterozygous plant would contain the following alleles for seed shape: (Rr) Hybrid seed In plant breeding, used colloquially for seed produced by specific crosses of selected pure lines, such that the F1 crop is genetically uniform and displays hybrid vigour. As the F1 plants are heterozygous with respect to many genes, the crop does not breed true and so new seed must be purchased each season Hypoallergenic A substance not likely to cause an allergenic reaction ICSTI Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation Insecticide A substance that kills insects Insulin A peptide hormone secreted by the Langerhans islets of the pancreas and that regulates the level of sugar in the blood Introgression Spread of genes of one species into the gene pool of another by hybridisation and backcrossing Lepidopteran Any of a large order of insects typically having two pairs of wings covered with fragile scales. Comprises butterflies and moths Marker gene A gene of known function or known location, used for marking marker-assisted selection or genetic studies MCB Mediterranean Corn Borer Meristem The plant tissue responsible for growth, whose cells divide and differentiate to form the tissues and organs of the plant mRNA Messenger RNA Notifier The company submitting an application for approval of a GM product to the EU for evaluation under Directive 2001/18/EC Open pollination Pollination by wind, insects or other natural mechanisms Organelle A membrane-bound specialised region within a cell that carries out a specialised function within the cell Panicle An inflorescence, the main axis of which is branched; the branches bear loose racemose flower clusters. Rice and oats are crop plants with a panicle inflorescence Phenotype The visible appearance of an individual (with respect to one or more traits) which reflects the reaction of a given genotype with a given environment Plasmid A small circle of bacterial DNA that is independent of the main bacteria chromosome. Plasmids often contain genes for drug resistances and can be transmitted between bacteria of the same and different species Precautionary principle The approach whereby any possible risk associated with the introduction of a new technology is avoided, until a full understanding of its impact on health, environment, etc., is available. Particularly applied to the release of genetically modified organisms, since unlike many technologies, these cannot be recalled if problems arise Promoters Promoters are sequences of DNA that ‘switch on’ genes to carry out particular functions in different parts of the plant (and at particular points in its lifecycle) Recombinant DNA (rDNA) The result of combining DNA fragments from different sources Rennet A substance used for curdling milk in making cheese Self-pollination Transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of the same flower or to another flower of the same plant Separation distance The distance between the perimeter of a GM crop and the perimeter of another crop which is sexually compatible with the GM crop S. I. Statutory Instrument Silk The female inflorescence of the maize plant Species A taxon ranking in the hierarchy of biological classification as the category below genus. The species is the basic unit of biological classification. Plants within the species limit, will normally pollinate, fertilise and set seed naturally, unless selected for a form of sterility Stacked genes Refers to the insertion of two or more genes into the genome of an organism Stamen Floral structure made up of an anther and a filament. The stamen is the male organ of a flower Sterile Permanently unable to reproduce Tagging A process of attaching a compound (label) to a molecule in order to allow detection of its presence following transfer Tassel The male inflorescence of the maize plant Teagasc The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority Terminator gene A gene that renders the seed from that plant sterile TPS True potato seed Transgenesis The introduction of a gene or genes into animal or plant cells, which leads to the transmission of the input gene (transgene) to successive generations Triticale The hybrid man-made species formed by the crossing of tetraploid or hexaploid wheat with diploid rye VCU Value for Cultivation and Use test used in official crop variety registration Vernalisation A period of cold treatment for plants to trigger the initiation of flower formation Volunteer plant A crop plant growing from seed or vegetative material from a previous crop WCR Western Corn Rootworm
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