What are the easiest organisms that can be turned into GMOs?

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Tuesday, 03/04/2018 14:58

We would like to address your question in two parts. We will explain exactly what a GMO is and then explain what foods are “turned into GMOs” - otherwise known as what crops are genetically modified.

WHAT IS A GMO?

When people refer to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), they are referring to precision plant breeding using genetic engineering. It allows plant breeders to take a desirable trait (like resistance to drought, insects, weeds, and disease) from one plant or organism and transfer it to the plant they want to improve, as well as make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing. You may have also heard of agricultural biotechnology or biotech seeds. These are terms that may be used to refer to the same thing – a genetically modified organism (GMO).

GMOs are created to achieve a desired trait, such as resistance to an insect or improvement to the ripening process, in order to better meet a customer’s needs.

Posted below is a five minute video that offers a great visual illustration on how GMOs are made:

WHAT CROPS ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED?

Nearly all foods today have been genetically modified or altered in some way over thousands of years through selective breeding. There are only 10 commercially available GMO crops in the U.S: soybeans, corn (field and sweet), canola, cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, summer squash, papaya, potatoes and apples.

These 10 are the only GMO crops that are commercially available in the U.S., but it is also important to note that many of these crops are ingredients in other types of food you may find in your local grocery store.

The GM salmon was recently approved by the FDA and is the first GMO food animal to be approved and is commercially available only in Canada. The salmon was genetically modified for a few reasons including to conserve wild fish populations and provide low impact aquaculture. Read more about this first GMO animal, why and how it was created here.

We hope this answers your question. If you have any other questions about GMOs or biotechnology, please ask!