gmo

GMO stands for genetically modified organism, defined as an organism whose genetic material has been altered using modern genetic engineering techniques. GMOs include crops, animals, and microorganisms. In agriculture, GM crops are engineered for traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved nutrition, and they are the most widespread use of genetic engineering in food production. Common examples include Bt corn and Bt cotton, herbicide-tolerant soybean, maize, and canola, and nutritionally enhanced crops like Golden Rice.

Techniques range from transgenic insertion, where genes from other species are introduced, to gene editing methods such as CRISPR, which can induce targeted mutations or precise changes without necessarily adding foreign DNA. Traditional cross-breeding can achieve similar outcomes over longer timescales, but modern GM methods allow specific, rapid changes.

Regulation and safety assessment vary by country but typically involve evaluation of food safety, environmental impact, and, where relevant, allergenicity. In many jurisdictions, GM foods on the market are subject to ongoing monitoring and labeling policies differ widely.

Benefits often cited include higher crop yields, reduced need for chemical pesticides, and potential nutritional enhancements. Critics raise concerns about environmental effects such as gene flow and resistance, impacts on biodiversity, dependency on seed companies, and labeling transparency.

Overall, GM technology is widely used in agriculture and biotechnology, with ongoing scientific assessment and regulatory debates shaping its development, application, and public reception.