Patent ID: 6849776

Claim:
A method for controlling transgene segregation in a sexually reproducing transgenic plant and for preventing transgene escape by providing a plant with a recoverable block of function (RBF) system, said system comprising: two functionally similar blocking constructs (BCs) under control of germination/embryo development specific promoters, each of said BCs comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an entire barnase protein and having a capacity to block at least one molecular or physiological function essential for the development and/or reproductive cycle of the transgenic plant, thereby leading to death or incapacity of sexual reproduction; a transgene of interest (TGI) being inserted between the two BCs; and a user-controlled means for recovering functions blocked by the BCs, said means for recovering comprising an externally applicable and controllable manipulation, treatment or intervention step and a recovering construct (RC) being under control of a heat shock inducible promoter, said RC further comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an entire barstar protein.