Are Genetically Modified Organisms

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a chemical organism processed in a laboratory where genes from the DNA of the crops are extracted and then artificially forced into an unrelated product that, when put into the crops the farmers raise, can chemically change the makeup of the crop. The chemical makeup can be from the change in the skin color of the crop to the actual organic chemistry compound. Genetic engineering is the process of splicing the genes in the crop and taking out a certain chemical on the compound to substitute the original compound. The practice of genetic engineering has been around since 1935 when the Russian scientist Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky isolated pure DNA, and is being used by many farmers and large international corporations (Shireen). For example, a tomato farmer changes the genes of the tomato to prevent a beetle from eating it. However, genetically modified organisms are becoming detrimental to our bodies and health and there are ways the government can help Americans eat healthier by labeling products with genetically modified organisms.

Genetic engineering is the alteration of an organism’s genotype using recombinant DNA technology to modify an organism’s DNA to achieve desirable traits. (OpenStax 459). The main purpose however of genetic engineering is to deepen the understanding of how genetics works, as well as how it can be applied to the rest of the world. For example growing body parts on mice, or make crops resistant to pesticides, help them grow faster, make them produce faster and much more. The process of genetic engineering according to FAO Corporate Document Repository occurs in 9 steps:

There is a growing controversy in regard to genetically modified food. Should GMO products be labeled, and should there be more research into possible problems related to genetically modifying our food? While there are many benefits to farmers and consumers, there is very little negative evidence to show that GMOs are dangerous. Therefore, with this lack of evidence against the harmfulness of genetically modifying food, buying and consuming altered foods should not be a problem.

Poultry and red meat may come from animals raised on genetically modified feed, but as of yet you won't find GMO animals for sale at your local butcher shop (Harrar 5). There are many traits that GMOs aim to achieve, such as resistance to herbicides and pesticides, increased nutritional content and improve tolerance to the effects of adverse weather conditions. Which we all know is something only a dream plant would contain. Hence what these plants are modified for. In the past, most just had specific breeding techniques to achieve these traits, but for most, out ruled because of the inaccuracy and time it cost. Now using genetic engineering, plants can now be modified very quickly and effective (Pongratz 2). However, Genetically Modified Organisms are seen to cause more harm than good, that they could potentially harm our bodies and environment in the process. "The process is not as rigorous or independent as it should be. The FDA often does not get all the data to perform a fully informed safety review," noted Gregory Jaffe, director of the CSPI Biotechnology Project, in a 2012 report. There are many issues that have sparked by using Genetically Modified Organisms. In creating an organism, the matter of fact of it being a negative to health arises in consuming something that is not naturally occurring (Harrar

Genetic engineering is the scientific process of altering the genes in an organism's DNA resulting in a desirable outcome. Genetic engineering was first heard of in 1941 but, did not take off running until the 1970s. Everything started with genetically altering plants DNA such as, Bt corn, rice, wheat, and roundup ready soybeans; “products that have been the focus of controversy and protest around the world” ( Fukuyama 671). Not only did scientist alter plants but, took it a step further and started genetically altering animals that resulted in wanting for more desirable traits in the animals. Once scientist realized that it was possible to alter the DNA sequence of plants and animals, then their focus turn to the possibility of altering humans.

Genetic Modification is the manipulation of an organism’s genes with biotechnology. This is a group of technologies used to modify the cells, also the transfer of genes within and to different species to make improved or new organisms.

First of all, genetic modification is the direct manipulation of an organism 's genome by changing the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. Genetically modified organisms are food crops that have been created through application of transgenic, gene-splicing techniques.

Transgenic species are produce by genetic engineering. Genetic engineering involves the process of taking samples of one species genes/DNA and transferring it into a new host cell, this cell containing the DNA will then grow into the new cell creating a transgenic species. DNA samples can also be inserted into the new species by acting as a virus or by using a micro-pipette injection. Transgenic species are mainly used in fruit and vegetables to prevent pests eating the food supply. Genetic engineering is also used for commercial purposes. One example of successful transgenic species is a strawberry plant with a salmon gene inserted into it, the salmon gene helps the strawberries grow in a colder environment. These crops are also known as GMO’s (genetically modified organisms).

First of all, Genetic modification is nothing new. People have manipulated foods and food crops for millennials, through methods ranging from fermentation to classical selection. Genetic engineering is just the latest form of biotechnology—the most precise method yet.

What does GMO even mean? Genetic engineering or modification is the process of changing the DNA in an organism's genome, basically, Genetically MOdifying an Organism. This could be taking away or adding DNA samples depending on the wanted outcome. Scientists have been genetically modifying organisms for many centuries now, mostly with success. In the past 20 years scientists have been mainly focusing on modifying staple food products all over the world including wheat, soy, corn, milk, and a select variety of fruits and vegetables. These crops were introduced to food distributions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1994.

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs, are genetically modified plants, animals, or microorganisms whose genetic information has been modified by DNA-editing methods such as DNA splicing or gene modification. This modification creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, or bacterial genes that are not found in nature (GMO Facts). It is the right of the consumer to know exactly what they are consuming. However, in the United States, it is not required that food containing GMOs has to be labeled, despite the fact that in 2015, 93% of Americans believed that genetically modified food should be labeled (GMO Facts). Foods containing GMOs should indeed be labeled because the consumer deserves to know what is in their food.

Genetic modification, above all else, is a process that has been done by humans for hundreds of thousands of years. A GMO is a genetically modified organism that has been manipulated in one way or another, either in modern years with scientific precision or over the last thousand years simply by trial and error. There is no single GMO “organism” that can be identified as genetically modified but there are things that can be identified as genetically modified. (Entine, Jon)

The whole point of genetically engineering food is literally to take a gene with a desired trait from any organism and to put it into another crop without the desired trait so that the crop becomes healthier and a more beneficial product (Ackerman). Since the late 1970’s, genetically modified plants and seeds have been offering yield improvements, more oil and protein quality, and water optimization. GMOs have innovative traits that traditional crops do not (Van Montagu). Genetic engineers took genes from a cecropia moth to genetically modify apples and their ability to fight fire blight, a bacterial disease that damages fruit. In Hawaii, papaya trees were damaged by ringspot virus. Scientists were able to genetically modify the plant so that it could fight off that virus. Today, about seventy seven percent of Hawaii’s papayas are genetically altered. Genetic engineers can take rat genes and insert them in lettuce to produce a plant that makes Vitamin C. Recently, scientists have been toying with potatoes. They are trying to insert bee and moth genes into potatoes to try and protect them from potato blight fungus. Scientists have also taken RGBH, or recombinant bovine growth hormone, which is a genetically modified variation on a naturally occurring hormone to increase milk production in dairy cows (Ackerman). The main purpose GMOs serve is to make better crops and healthier foods for the

There are many unique and different organisms. They are all so different because they evolve. Organisms are constantly changing and adapting to be better suited to their environment. The organisms that survive produce their offspring that may have new adaptations or be well adapted. New generations of organisms keep changing and producing differences. The different and unique organisms on Earth are products of genetic variation, natural selection and adaptations, and evolution.

Genetic engineering has to do with manipulating organisms and DNA to create body characteristics. The practice of genetic DNA has shown an increasing amount over the past years. The process of genetic enhancement involves manipulating organisms by using biotechnologies. The technique is by removing a DNA from one life form and transferring it to another set of traits or organism. Certain barriers are conquered, and the procedure involves changing a form of cells, resulting from an improvement or developed organism. GMO which is a (Genetic Modified Organisms) is the operation done in a laboratory where DNA genetic from one particular species or animals is directly forced into another gene from an unrelated subject of plants or even animals.