Final answer:
It is true that a plant can be patented if it contains a genetically introduced second copy of a naturally occurring gene, making it a transgenic crop. Such GMOs are subject to strict government regulation and require extensive testing to ensure safety and prevent unintended gene transfer.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that a plant can be patented if a second copy of a gene naturally found in that species is introduced into its genome. This process involves genetic engineering techniques to create transgenic crops or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These manipulated plants, like 'golden rice', 'Bt corn', and 'Roundup ready' soybeans, are patented because they contain deliberately designed modifications for traits such as pest resistance or nutritional enhancement.
Plant patents recognize the discovery of new plant types that can be asexually reproduced, and genetically modified plants are closely monitored by government agencies to ensure that they fit for human consumption and ecological stability. Extensive testing is mandated due to the potential gene transfer to other species in the environment, as seen in cases like the naturally transgenic sweet potato discovered by Tina Kyndt et al.