Modification of plant components

With respect to plant biotechnology, 1995 and 1996 will be marked by the commercialization of the first genetically engineered plant oil and a number of ground-breaking publications. The modification of plant components using transgenic technology is not just ‘switching’ phenotypes from one host to another, rather, it is a means for producing valuable novel products that are normally not found (or are difficult to find) in plants. Active research is being carried out with similar schemes in both academic laboratories and biotechnology companies. As a result, the traditional line that separate the ‘basic’ research of universities and the ‘practical’ work of industry is becoming fuzzy. Although many roadblocks remain, judging from the progress made in the past two years, the genetic engineering of plant components is heading towards a bright and exciting future.