What are GMO’s?

Genetically modified organisms (or GMO’s) are plants, animals or microorganisms that through scientific intervention and splicing of genes have been, in a sense, edited in a lab to include the genetic code from other products it would not naturally mix with. The process of genetic engineering looks at genes like legos (a highly contested perspective) that can be mixed and matched to achieve superior products. Examples of this are genes from human beings in rice to grow pharmaceuticals or a bacteria gene inserted into corn and cotton to produce internal pesticides.

“In 2006, 252 million acres of transgenic crops were planted in 22 countries by 10.3 million farmers. The majority of these crops were herbicide- and insect-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and alfalfa.” (Human Genome Project) More >