Wheat Sample
date: label: date made
content: ca 1987
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: This sample of wheat came from the first field test designed to chart the movement of genetically modified microorganisms after their release into the environment. In November of 1987, genetically modified soil bacteria of the genus <i>Pseudomonas</i> were planted along with winter wheat in a field in Blackville, S.C. The project was a joint effort of Monsanto, which had modified the organisms in the lab, and Clemson University, which carried out the field test.
label: Description (Brief)
content: The microorganisms were modified to contain harmless “marker genes” allowing scientists to distinguish them from naturally occurring <i> Pseudomonas </i> bacteria. After their release, scientists kept track of the movement of the modified bacteria in order to create a model for how genetically modified microbes migrate upon their release. Several months earlier, the release of genetically modified “ice-minus” bacteria (see object number 1987.0770.01) in California was the center of public concern.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Sources:
label: Description (Brief)
content: Accession File
label: Description (Brief)
content: “After Release, Altered Bacteria Stayed Close to Their Roots.” Renseberger, Boyce. <i>The Washington Post</i>. February 22, 1988. p. A3.
label: Description (Brief)
content: “Release of Altered Microbes Is Approved in Tracking Test.” Schneider, Keith. <i>The New York Times</i>. October 21, 1987. p. A19.
label: Description (Brief)
content: “Clemson Scientists Begin Field Testing of Microbe.” <i>The Item</i>. November 3, 1987. p.4B.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: made at
content: United States: South Carolina, Clemson
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Biological Sciences
label: See more items in
content: Food
label: See more items in
content: Biotechnology and Genetics
label: See more items in
content: Science & Mathematics
label: See more items in
content: Agriculture
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Dr. Ellis L. Kline
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1995.0055.01
label: accession number
content: 1995.0055
label: catalog number
content: 1995.0055.01
objectType: label: Object Name
content: wheat sample
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 12.7 cm x 6.4 cm x 6.2 cm; 5 in x 2 1/2 in x 2 7/16 in