A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

For thousands of years, humans have used breeding methods to modify organisms. Corn, cattle, and even dogs take been selectively bred over generations to accept certain desired traits. Within the last few decades, however, modernistic advances in biotechnology have allowed scientists to direct modify the Dna of microorganisms, crops, and animals.

Conventional methods of modifying plants and animals—selective breeding and crossbreeding—can take a long time. Moreover, selective breeding and crossbreeding often produce mixed results, with unwanted traits actualization alongside desired characteristics. The specific targeted modification of Deoxyribonucleic acid using biotechnology has allowed scientists to avoid this problem and improve the genetic makeup of an organism without unwanted characteristics tagging forth.

Nigh animals that are GMOs are produced for utilize in laboratory inquiry. These animals are used equally "models" to study the function of specific genes and, typically, how the genes chronicle to wellness and disease. Some GMO animals, however, are produced for human consumption. Salmon, for example, has been genetically engineered to mature faster, and the U.Southward. Food and Drug Administration has stated that these fish are safe to swallow.

GMOs are possibly well-nigh visible in the produce department. The first genetically engineered plants to exist produced for human being consumption were introduced in the mid-1990s. Today, approximately 90 percent of the corn, soybeans, and sugar beets on the market are GMOs. Genetically engineered crops produce higher yields, take a longer shelf life, are resistant to diseases and pests, and even sense of taste better. These benefits are a plus for both farmers and consumers. For example, higher yields and longer shelf life may lead to lower prices for consumers, and pest-resistant crops ways that farmers don't need to buy and utilize as many pesticides to grow quality crops. GMO crops can thus exist kinder to the environs than conventionally grown crops.

Genetically modified foods practise cause controversy, however. Genetic engineering typically changes an organism in a way that would not occur naturally. It is fifty-fifty common for scientists to insert genes into an organism from an entirely different organism. This raises the possible hazard of unexpected allergic reactions to some GMO foods. Other concerns include the possibility of the genetically engineered foreign DNA spreading to non-GMO plants and animals. So far, none of the GMOs approved for consumption accept caused any of these problems, and GMO food sources are subject area to regulations and rigorous prophylactic assessments.

In the time to come, GMOs are probable to continue playing an important role in biomedical research. GMO foods may provide improve nutrition and mayhap even exist engineered to contain medicinal compounds to enhance human being wellness. If GMOs can be shown to be both safe and healthful, consumer resistance to these products will most likely diminish.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Photo of a genetically engineered Salmon. Created so that it continuously produces growth hormones and can be sold equally a full size fish afterward eighteen months instead of 3 years.

biotechnology

Noun

the use of a living organism for industrial or medical use.

crossbreeding

Verb

mating two dissimilar organisms together to course a hybrid species.

Dna

Noun

(deoxyribonucleic acid) molecule in every living organism that contains specific genetic data on that organism.

cistron

Noun

part of Dna that is the bones unit of heredity.

genetically modified organism (GMO)

Substantive

living matter whose genes (Deoxyribonucleic acid) take been altered for a specific purpose.

genetic engineering

Substantive

procedure of altering and cloning genes to produce a new trait in an organism or to brand a biological substance, such equally a protein or hormone.

microbe

Noun

tiny organism, normally a bacterium.

organism

Noun

living or in one case-living affair.

pesticide

Substantive

natural or manufactured substance used to kill organisms that threaten agriculture or are undesirable. Pesticides tin be fungicides (which impale harmful fungi), insecticides (which kill harmful insects), herbicides (which kill harmful plants), or rodenticides (which impale harmful rodents.)

selective breeding

Noun

convenance to produce desired characteristics in animal or institute offspring.

trait

Noun

characteristic or attribute.