02-28-2015, 05:16 AM
A mutagen is an agent causing a mutation. In the case of our GMO papaya the agent was something called a "gene gun" according to Wikipedia. A mutagen could also be radiation or a chemical. However, once the chromosome strand is altered it's still a chromosome, a bunch of nucleic acids.
But a mutated chromosome is not a mutagen. It has already been "mutagenized." Possibly Wnk is trying to say that a mutated (GMO) haploid chromosome "mutates" the non-GMO haploid in fertilization relative to some mythical natural condition of the organism. Sorry, no. This is an abuse of the word. Kinda scary too, you think? The one haploid simply hooks up with the other haploid, just like Mendel crossing smooth peas with wrinkled ones. Creating a diploid chromosome from two haploids, the basis of sexual reproduction, is not a mutagenic action. It is simply an ordinary mixture of traits any of which may or may not be expressed.
Finally mutations, modified chromosomes, whether originating from radiation (natural or human-directed), bacterial or viral incursion or just molecules bumping in a new way, are also the basis of evolution (or the accelerated evolution we call breeding), so let's not be too scared of mutations. Granted random mutations may be harmful, but mutations are also why we have a wealth of heirloom tomato varieties and why our corn kernels are fat and juicy compared to the teosinte original.
But a mutated chromosome is not a mutagen. It has already been "mutagenized." Possibly Wnk is trying to say that a mutated (GMO) haploid chromosome "mutates" the non-GMO haploid in fertilization relative to some mythical natural condition of the organism. Sorry, no. This is an abuse of the word. Kinda scary too, you think? The one haploid simply hooks up with the other haploid, just like Mendel crossing smooth peas with wrinkled ones. Creating a diploid chromosome from two haploids, the basis of sexual reproduction, is not a mutagenic action. It is simply an ordinary mixture of traits any of which may or may not be expressed.
Finally mutations, modified chromosomes, whether originating from radiation (natural or human-directed), bacterial or viral incursion or just molecules bumping in a new way, are also the basis of evolution (or the accelerated evolution we call breeding), so let's not be too scared of mutations. Granted random mutations may be harmful, but mutations are also why we have a wealth of heirloom tomato varieties and why our corn kernels are fat and juicy compared to the teosinte original.