Genetically modified organism (GMO)

Commonly referred to as GMO, genetically modified organism is any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

What is a GMO?

A GMO (genetically modified organism) is a plant, animal, or microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that generally involves the specific modification of DNA, including the transfer of specific DNA from one organism to another.

Difference between genetic engineering and hybridization

It is typically done in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or by natural genetic recombination.

Use of GMO in crops

• Traditional methods of modifying plants, like selective breeding and crossbreeding, have been around for nearly 10,000 years.
• Most of the foods we eat today were originally created using a combination of traditional methods.
• In traditional method of cross breeding, two similar plants cross-pollinate to create a new plant.

Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering is a method that, among other things, enables scientists to copy a gene with a desired trait in one organism and put it into another. Genetic engineering has been used since the 1970s and builds on the scientific advances we have made in the study of DNA.
• For example, a gene in a soil bacterium (Bt) is inserted into the DNA of the corn to create an insect-resistant corn.

Genome Editing

• Genome editing is a new method that gives scientists more precise and targeted ways to develop new crop varieties.
• Genome editing tools can make it easier and quicker to make changes that were previously done through traditional breeding.
• One example of genome editing is removing an unwanted gene.

Common GMO foods in the US

• Only a few types of GMO crops are grown in the United States, but some of these GMOs make up a large percentage of the crop grown (e.g., soybeans, corn, sugar beets, canola, and cotton).
• In 2018, GMO soybeans made up 94% of all soybeans planted, GMO cotton made up 94% of all cotton planted, and 92% of corn planted was GMO corn.
• Most GMO crops are used in food for animals like cows, chickens, and fish.
• They are also used to make ingredients that are then used in food products like cereal, snack chips, and vegetable oils.
• Even though you won’t find many GMO fruits or vegetables in the produce section of your grocery store, GMOs are a common part of today’s food supply.

GMO's and health

GMO foods are as healthful and safe to eat as their non-GMO counterparts. Some GMO plants have actually been modified to improve their nutritional value.

An example is GMO soybeans with healthier oils that can be used to replace oils that contain trans fats. Since GMO foods were introduced in the 1990s, research has shown that they are just as safe as non-GMO foods. GMO plants fed to farm animals are as safe as non-GMO animal food.