These molecular flags can be used by breeders to quickly determine whether a soybean is resistant to these diseases, making breeding faster and more reliable. However, none create complete immunity for the plant. Scientists have identified two genes that enable one of the SMV strains to overcome resistance to the disease. These two virus genes can be used like hooks to fish out resistance genes. In addition, Hill and his colleagues have genetically engineered soybeans to produce the coat protein from the SMV virus in hopes that it will aid the plant in warding off the virus.
Preliminary tests suggest that the plants are resistant to the virus.
More rigorous tests of resistance are currently underway.