Genetically Modified Organisms result when specific genes from any organism (plant, animal, virus, bacteria) are put into the genetic sequence of another organism using recombinant DNA techniques. Other terms used for this technology, or its products, are genetic engineering (GE), biotech, transgenic, and genetic modification (GM).



Gene manipulation is done in a laboratory. A section of DNA, (the basic unit that determines an inherited trait), is isolated and forced into the DNA of another organism with the assistance of a viral vector, usually by coating tiny pellets of gold with DNA and literally firing these pellets at cells with a “gene gun.” Sexual reproduction is bypassed entirely, along with natural species barriers. Using recombinant DNA techniques, genes from jellyfish have been moved into pigs, and human genes into plants. A cell that takes up the new genetic sequence is then cloned. An entire crop is created from just one cell.



Approximately 79% of GMO crops on the market have been modified to be resistant to herbicides- mostly Roundup, which is manufactured by Monsanto Corporation. These crops, known as “Roundup Ready,” enable farmers to spray entire fields with herbicide without damage to their crop. Roundup ready crops are responsible for huge increases in herbicide sales and applications. Approximately 21% of GMO crops on the market have been engineered with an insecticide in every cell of the plant, including the harvested seeds used for food. Herbicide resistant and insecticidal crops comprise nearly 100% of GMO crops on the market. The GMO papaya is one of the few exceptions, and is resistant to the papaya ring spot virus. However, GMO papaya trees are more susceptible to fungus diseases, and are routinely sprayed with toxic fungicides.



Internationally there is consumer backlash against GMOs. While the U.S. is promoting biotech foods, many nations throughout the world have been enacting laws and policies that restrict or prohibit the growth and sale of GE crops. Many foreign countries require labeling of genetically engineered foods and ingredients.



What is being gene-spliced into foods? Genes from bacteria (including those for antibiotic and herbicide resistance), viruses, insects, nuts, fish, and animals are presently spliced into common food crops. “Synthetic” genes are also used. Over 3/4 of processed foods in the U.S. contain genetically engineered ingredients due to widespread use of GMO canola, soy, corn, and cotton seed oil by U.S. food processors. Most Hawaiian papayas are transgenic, containing virus, antibiotic-resistant, and e coli bacteria genes.



How is health affected by genetically engineered food? There are no requirements for long term or independent testing of GMOs. A number of studies over the past decade indicate that genetically engineered foods can pose serious risks to humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife. Human health effects can include higher risks of toxicity, allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, immune-suppression and cancer.



How can I choose to avoid eating genetically engineered foods? No laws exist in the United States to allow labeling of GMO foods. Organic agriculture does not allow the cultivation of genetically modified crops. Purchasing or growing organic food is an excellent way to avoid consuming biotech foods.



What are the ecological consequences? Species have been evolving over millions of years. Pollen is carried by wind, birds, bees, farm equipment, and humans over a range of distances. Spread of herbicide resistant genes into weedy relatives has created “superweeds”.



The use of genetic engineering in agriculture could lead to uncontrolled biological pollution, threatening numerous microbial, plant and animal species with extinction, and the potential contamination of non-genetically engineered life forms with novel and possibly hazardous genetic material.



The country of Denmark imposed a ban on glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, in 2003. It was discovered that the herbicide had been moving down through the soil and polluting the ground water at a rate five times higher than the level allowed.



How might organic farming be affected? The entire future of organic farming is threatened. GE pollen has been shown to transfer genetically engineered genes into previously conventional and organic crops. It is expected that Bt, a natural insecticide used in organic farming, will loose its effectiveness due to the widespread use of crops modified to express the Bt toxin in every cell.



What is "Terminator" technology? This technology makes crops sterile. Terminator is a global threat to our food supply and violates farmers' rights to save their seeds for replanting. Terminator technology would prevent the age old practice of seed saving, forcing farmers to buy seeds for their next crop. The U.S. Department of Agriculture shares the patent, so our taxpaying dollars have supported the development of terminator technology. Terminator, as of now, has not been commercialized due to global resistance. What would happen to humanity’s food supply if terminator genes spread uncontrollably as other GE traits have?



Are genetically engineered foods needed to feed the world? Huge surpluses of food already exist in the world today. People go hungry because they don't have land on which to grow food or the money to buy it.



African delegates to the United Nations, in 1998, stated, "We....strongly object that the image of the poor and hungry from our countries is being used by giant multinational corporations to push a technology that is neither safe, environmentally friendly, nor economically beneficial to us. We do not believe that such companies or gene technologies will help our farmers to produce the food that is needed in the 21st century. On the contrary, we think it will destroy the diversity, the local knowledge and the sustainable agricultural systems that our farmers have developed for millennia and that it will thus undermine our capacity to feed ourselves."