GMOs (genetically modified organism) are living things that have gone through modifications for the purpose of improving them, using genetic engineering. Although the practice is common for living body, its application on plants and crops is controversial. The basic steps in the production of GMOs involve the identification of the desired trait, the isolation of that trait, insertion of that trait into another organism. The methods of genetic alteration have evolved through the years starting from the typical cross breeding to the insertion of alien genes into another organism and recently it is possible to alter the genetic coding of an organism directly.
What animals/plants qualify as GMOs? Most people wrongly believe that animals and plants developed in other ways rather than the natural ones are GMOs. It’s a misconception made with images of large tomatoes and cows in mind. However, there is a strict definition from the US food and drug administration: GMOs are organisms strictly created through genetic engineering. This construction describes the use of biotechnology to change directly or alter the genetic coding of an organism. Regarding this definition, the practice does not involve the cross breeding of animals or modification to the animals using antibiotics and hormone supplements. In fact, it is illegal to sell or feed on animals or plants that are genetically modified, but it is all right to feed farms animals using modified plants.
The main reason behind the use of genetic engineering is to increase the production of food and improve the nutrition feeds for animals. However, this target does not lead to the production of absurdly large plants or animals. The pictures of large plants used in the anti-GMO campaign in the US were not GMOs. The creating of such pants would involve the use of nutritional supplements o selective breeding but not through genetic engineering.
The use of genetic engineering common in biological research. Scientists make alterations on crops for more agricultural production; genetic modification on mice for the purpose of the investigation, and genetic engineering applicable on bacteria for the manufacture of insulin. All these applications use the same method; identification of the desired gene, isolation of the gene, insertion of the gene into another organism ad finally the growth of the new plant. The following text highlights and explains these steps.
For the identification of the desired gene, scientists look at a plant naturally. It is an action that relies on critical thinking and sheer luck. For instance, if scientists are looking for an animal that can withstand some climatic condition, they will look for the gene in animals that can naturally survive in that environment. Or if they are seeking to increase the yield of crops, they watch out for the most naturally productive plants or one that produces the required nutrition.
An instance where a scientist found a gene by sheer luck is when they developed a plant that could withstand herbicides. Monsanto created a plant that could tolerate herbicides when he found some bacteria growing in an herbicide factory. The bacteria had genes that enabled it to survive that environment. Although it is illegal in the market, Syngenta has developed golden rice with large quantities of vitamin A. Researchers identified plants with pro-vitamin A and screened other plants to compiled a list of options. Luckily, they discovered that maize could naturally make rice produce larger quantities of pro-vitamin A. This rice would be helpful to communities and society with a deficiency of vitamin A.