PELARGONIUM PELTATUM (IVY-LEAF PELARGONIUM) HARLEQUIN TYPE: THE USE OF BENEFICIAL INFECTIVE AGENTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING OF PLANTS BY NON-INTEGRATING VECTORS

The potential of virus-like or virus-derived infective agents with the ability to transform plants is discussed. General guidelines regarding the registration, commercial exploitation, and risks of using such agents are outlined. The consequences and application of these guidelines to transformed plants are related to the case of the Harlequin pelargoniums.