GMO

Definition

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. It refers to plants, animals, or microorganisms that have been altered using genetic engineering techniques to express desirable traits.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been manipulated using recombinant DNA technology to introduce, remove, or alter specific traits. This process allows for the targeted modification of the organism's genome to achieve characteristics such as resistance to pests, improved growth rates, or enhanced nutritional content.

Benefits

• Enhanced resistance to pests and diseases in crops.
• Improved nutritional content of certain foods.
• Increased agricultural productivity.
• Reduced need for certain chemical pesticides.

Examples

• Bt corn, which is engineered to be resistant to insect pests.
• Herbicide-tolerant soybeans.
• Golden rice, which is fortified with Vitamin A.

Additional Information

• Known issues: There are debates about the long-term health effects and environmental impacts of GMOs, including potential allergenicity and biodiversity loss.

Related Terms

• Non-GMO
• Biotechnology
• Genetic engineering
• Transgenic

References

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and GMO Foods
• Genetically Modified Foods: Benefits and Risks