A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism that has been genetically engineered. Using recombinant DNA technologies, the genes from one organism are combined with that of another for the purpose of biological enhancement. GMOs are most commonly used for the production of food, vaccines and medicine.
The Facts
There is a great deal of controversy surrounding GMOs. While many people perceive potential nutritional and medicinal benefits from using genetically modified organisms, others feel that their use could be dangerous in the long run.
The United States produces more genetically modified crops than any other country worldwide. Currently there are no laws requiring foods to be labeled as GMO. This has led many people to protest, as it makes it very difficult for someone who is opposed to GMOs to avoid them.
The only way to reduce consumption of GMOs is to purchase foods that are organic or that are clearly marked as non-GMO.
Function
Genetic modification has been used to enhance nutrition and resistance to pests and bacteria in foods such as corn, soybeans and tomatoes. Fish have been genetically engineered to grow larger and have greater resistance to cold. Genetically altered bovine growth hormone has been injected into cows to make them produce more milk. Cotton has also been genetically modified to be resistant to pests and herbicides. Animals such as chickens and sheep have been genetically engineered to produce medicines that fight diseases such as cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Benefits
The increased pest and herbicide resistance in GMO crops can reduce crop loss and can also reduce the amount of pesticides needed to keep insects away. Genetic modification can also alter a crop to grow in areas where it ordinarily couldn't thrive. It can also be used to cause crops to produce vitamins that would normally be absent.
Risk Factors
There are considerable risks to environmental and human health associated with the production and use of GMOs. For example, making a crop more resistant to herbicides only results in the use of more herbicides. The production of GMO crops such as soybeans that have been engineered to produce pesticides have caused allergic reactions in humans. Furthermore, the long-term effects of consuming GMO foods are unknown.
History of
The first genetically engineered plant was tobacco, which in 1983 was injected with a gene that made it resistant to the antibiotic kanamycin. The Monsanto company has since become the world's largest producer of genetically modified seeds. They have patented more than 670 bioengineered organisms.
