Transgenic plants -: A potential tool for decontamination of environmental pollutants

Transgenic plant technology showed many obvious advantages over conventional plant breeding approaches to crop improvement, Recent discoveries allowed the engineering of new transgenic plants generating desirable products, such as enzymes, polymers and vaccines. Among new approaches, the use of transgenic plants specifically tailored for the bioremediation of organic pollutants and heavy metals have recently occurred. This paper gives an overview of results of present research in phytoremediation of the polluted environment using transgenic plants and their improved properties. Preparation and properties of genetically modified plants changing mercury into less toxic forms, plants with improved abilities of Cd accumulation, degrading explosives (TNT) or other substances and oxidising TCE (trichloroethylene) are described. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of GM plants are discussed.