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GMOs Facts

GMOs Facts
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are any organism that has been modified at its genetic level. This is also referred to as genetic engineering. Genetically modified organisms are created for a variety of purposes including to produce drugs and medications, genetically engineered foods, and for scientific research purposes. Genetically modifying an organism involves mutating, deleting, or inserting genes. Genetically modifying organisms has been done since approximately 12,000 BC when people selectively bred plants and animals. As science advanced it became possible to alter the DNA of plants and organisms to achieve desired results. There is a great deal of controversy around the world today in terms of GMOs and what this means for human health and the future of food sources.
Interesting GMOs Facts:
When plants, animals, organisms, or microorganisms are modified through their DNA the result is something that does not occur in nature.
Many countries around the world do not consider genetically modified organisms to be safe and restrict them heavily. Some developed countries however, like the United States and Canada, do allow GMOs to be grown and sold.
Countries such as those in the European Union require any product with GMOs to be labeled as such in order to give consumers a choice.
GMOs are sometimes referred to as transgenic organisms as they have been altered with the DNA of another organism.
Scientists have created tomatoes that will resist frost by using the genes of a cold water fish.
Scientists have been able to create a type of pig that glows in the dark. They used the genes of a jelly fish.
Scientists have created potatoes and apples that do not brown as they would in nature. The FDA has approved them for human consumption.
In the United States, over 90% of the sugar beets, corn, canola, cotton, and soy crops are genetically modified.
Many who oppose GMO foods in the marketplace refer to any food with GMOs as 'Frankenfood'.
Many believe that when food or other crops are GMO they do damage to the environment by altering nature.
GMO food has been linked to an increase in food allergies, toxic reactions, damage to organs, sterility and sickness in livestock, and a variety of other factors that may be cause for concern.
GMOs can result in higher crop yields, and supporters believe they can be altered to require less natural resources and provide additional nutritional value.
Scientists have created mosquitos that are malaria resistant, which could result in decreased malaria around the world. They have also created mosquitos that carry a gene that could wipe out the dengue and zika viruses.
Scientists are working on creating cows that produce milk identical to human breast milk.
Genetically modified animals could be used to further research in human health and diseases.
Genetically modifying plants could help to avoid extinction of threatened plant species.
Many believe that GMOs threaten food security in the countries where they are grown. GMO crops are causing an increase in super weeds and super bugs that have become resistant to herbicides because of their overuse in GMO seeds.


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