OGM

OGM is the French term for genetically modified organisms, defined as organisms whose genetic material has been altered using modern genetic engineering techniques. Unlike traditional breeding, OGM involve direct manipulation of DNA to introduce, remove, or modify genes. This can include transgenic organisms, where genes from different species are combined, as well as cisgenic or genome-edited organisms that use precise edits within a species or closely related ones.

Common applications include agricultural crops with traits such as herbicide tolerance or pest resistance, livestock with altered traits, and microorganisms used in medicine or industry. By enabling targeted changes, OGM aim to improve yield, resilience, processing characteristics, or nutritional content.

Regulation and safety: OGM are generally subject to risk assessment before release or sale. Regulatory approaches vary by region. In the European Union, authorization requires safety evaluation and products containing GMOs must be labeled. In the United States, oversight is shared among agencies such as the FDA, USDA-APHIS, and the EPA, with different pathways for food, plants, and environmental considerations. International guidelines exist through organizations like Codex Alimentarius and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, but national policies differ.

Public debate and ethics: OGM have sparked ongoing discussion about environmental impact, food safety, corporate control of seeds, and labeling transparency. Proponents emphasize potential benefits such as increased yields, reduced pesticide use, and enhanced nutrition, while critics call for precaution, independent testing, and clear consumer information.

History and scope: The concept emerged with recombinant DNA technologies in the 1970s, with commercial crops appearing in the 1990s and continued development in gene editing technologies like CRISPR.