In order to streamline the transfer of DNA into cells have developed different methods for transformation in plants. These methods can be divided into two classes: indirect methods based on biological vectors known as, and direct methods based on physical and chemical elements. This work presents an updated review of the methods used for transformation of aimed at those interested in crops breeding. To do this we reviewed databases Science Direct, Hinari and Medline available on the website of the national library system (SINAB) of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Keywords used in English were: plant transformation, genetic engineering, transgenic plants, genetically modified crops, to search for general documents. Search was further refined by using more specific keywords, like particle bombardment, biolistic, , etc. Also conducted some research complementation in Spanish, using the search google for the key words geneticamente modificados and cultivos transgenicos. Were reviewed scientific articles and reviews between 1997 and 2010. There is a long list of processes used in the transfer of foreign genes into the genomes of species, including: viral vectors, liposomes, electroporation, sonication, chemical-mediated transfer, silicon carbide fibers, microinjection and microlaser. However, GM crops are released commercially, have been produced through the use of two technologies: biolistic and Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation.