Frequently Asked Questions:
Genetically Modified Organisms

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What are GMO's?

- What are GMO's?

The term "GMO" stands for genetically modified organism. Inserting a small piece of genetic material or DNA from another organism (typically one gene) into a target organism creates a GMO. This DNA or gene enhances the qualities of the original product by adding certain desirable traits. This technology is being used to increase the amounts of certain nutrients, oils, pigments, and other components of plants. GMOs are one of the products of a new area of science called biotechnology. Biotechnology is defined as the use of the tools of cell and molecular biology to create commercial products using biological organisms and bioengineering processes.

For example, some plants are modified to be more resistant to insects or other pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Other genes might improve ripening and shelf life of fruits and vegetables, or enhance nutritional properties such as in 'Golden Rice' which is rich in the precursors to vitamin A. Some other common examples are Bt corn and soybeans, which are resistant to insects due to the presence of a protein that blocks the digestive system of insects. This protein is a product of Bacillus thurengensis, a bacterium that is widely used by organic growers as an insecticide.

The benefits and costs of GMO foods can be analyzed in terms of consumers, the environment and the economy.

Benefits. GM foods have the potential to increase global food security by addressing many world hunger and nutrition problems. Plants can be genetically altered to enhance resistance and tolerance to pests, herbicides, disease, cold, drought, and salinity. This will provide a more plentiful food supply without increasing the acreage in production. Foods can also be altered to enhance taste and quality or improve nutritional value. Recently, genetic modification methods have been used to remove natural allergens from foods such as peanuts, rice and milk. GM foods can also help protect and preserve the environment by reducing reliance on chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Thus, the benefits of increased yield, nutrition, and reduced cost of inputs can be significant.

Costs. Most scientists believe GM foods do not present a risk to human health risk or the environment, while others contend that there may be unintended consequences. In some cases, it may be possible to introduce an allergy into a common food. To address these concerns, scientists have developed genetic methods that can be used to reduce the potency of most allergens. These same methods can be applied to most allergens. Another concern is unintended harm to other organisms, reduced effectiveness of pesticides, and gene transfer to non-target species (i.e. cross pollination with wild plants).

Some consumer advocates are concerned that patenting of new plant varieties will increase the price of GM seeds such that small farmers and developing countries will not be able to afford them, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. While the cost of seeds may be higher, the total cost to produce a crop is reduced though increased yield, efficiency or reductions in chemical inputs.

Three U.S. agencies -- the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) -- oversee the safety of foods and crops produced using biotechnology.