Is it true that each person is a GMO of their parents? I hope so.

Expert response from Andy Newhouse

P.h.D. Student

Tuesday, 04/24/2018 14:49

Interesting question - that's a good example of how the term "GMO" (genetically modified organism) is too vague to be really useful. In a sense, yes, your genes are modified compared to both of your parents. And you're definitely not genetically identical to your parents (unless you're a yeast, or a starfish, or a willow tree, or some other organism that can reproduce asexually).  

But in common usage, the term GMO refers to an organism containing a gene from an unrelated organism that was intentionally introduced in a lab. Note that this process of inter-species gene swapping actually happens in nature too (it's called "horizontal gene transfer"). It's most common between different species of bacteria, but humans have genes originating from bacteria and viruses also. Most people aren't aware of this or don't get too upset about it, but it is another form of genetic modification.

So, considering both of these processes, I think it's fair to say pretty much all living things are GMOs!