Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs): What You Need to Know

GMO stands for "genetically modified organisms," and foods that contain ingredients with GMOs are considered GMO foods. GMOs are used in many crops, including soybeans, corn, potatoes and canola.

History

• GMOs are created in the laboratory when scientists isolate genes that are responsible for certain traits in one plant and insert the gene into another plant, or add genes from non-plant organisms to a plant.

Types

• One of the most common non-plant organisms that is inserted into plants is the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or B.t. B.t. creates crystals that are toxic to insect larvae.

Function

• Corn crops that have been modified by adding B.t. form pesticide within the plant to fight off pests such as the European corn borer.

Effects

• Other GMOs work to improve drought tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance, increased nutrition, and even to grow vaccines inside vegetables.

Potential

• The use of GMOs in food is very controversial, but many researchers believe that it is necessary to improve crops genetically in order to feed a growing world population. For example, improving the nutritional value of a crop like rice could help fight malnutrition in Third World countries.