Understanding GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have become a lot more prevalent in recent years, and while the name sounds a little daunting, they’re nothing to be afraid of. GMOs by the FDA definition are “a plant that has had its genetic material changed using technology that usually involves the specific modification of DNA, including the transfer of specific DNA from one organism to another.” Still sounds a little scary, but it’s actually pretty cool.

Scientists use genetic engineering to select desirable traits and transfer them to the plant; examples of desirable traits can be drought resistance or insect resistance. Higher crop yield, more desirable appearance, longer shelf life, higher nutrient content, and less crop loss are other factors that go into selecting these traits. 

At the grocery store you can see a lot of products labeled as “non-GMO”. This is a marketing hack that allows producers to charge more for their produce; there are only 10 crops that can be genetically modified in the United States, including soybeans, corn (field and sweet), canola, cotton, summer squash, sugar beets, papaya, apples, and potatoes. A lot of the time, the “non-GMO” labels that you see on produce will be on a product that can’t even be genetically modified. 

Most people worry about the safety of the plants that have been genetically modified, but not to worry; these crops go through extensive testing, lasting years, before being put on the market. Research shows that GMO crops are just as safe as non-GMO crops, so no need to avoid them!