The intensive development of new biotechnology methods and their implementation in agricultural production have allowed the creation of a range of genetically modified plants that are resistant to pesticides, pests, viruses, which leads to significantly enhanced yield.

The number of transgenic crops is increasing every year, as well as their cultivation areas. In accordance with the Russian laws, all products made with the use of new technologies are subject to registration and control.

Currently, 28 plant GMO lines have completed the cycle of required tests and received marketing authorisation in the Russian Federation. The introduction of compulsory labelling of food products and feeds containing genetically modified ingredients (GMI) in Russia in 1999 entailed the need for instruments to perform relevant tests.

The polymerase chain reaction method seems to be the most appropriate method suitable for these purposes since it allows detecting transgenic DNA in the product and can be applied at all stages of GMI post-marketing surveillance: screening, identification and quantitation.