There’s a lot of news about genetically modified organisms, but what does GMO mean? For many, it’s a term that shows up in recent reporting, including on VICE, who got a first-hand look at Monsanto, one of the largest companies that work with GMOs. But while it can be seen as the next step in agricultural technology, it may also be a danger to humans, which is why it’s important to learn what GMOs are and how they are used.
The Definition
GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. These are created in a laboratory where genes culled from the DNA of a species are artificially implanted into the genetic makeup of either a plant or an animal. The foreign genes that are introduced into an animal or plant could come from bacteria, viruses, insects, other animals, and even human genes. GMOs can be found in everything from livestock and plants to ethanol and pesticides.
Where are GMOs Most Used?
In America, GMOs are most commonly used in agriculture, which means that most food used for human and animal consumption has at least some genetically modified organisms incorporated into it. Monsanto is one of the country’s largest users of GMOs, using it to create crops and even livestock that can then be used to make processed foods, weed killers, and ethanol. Because GMOs can be used to create other products, such as bacteria and virus-resistant foods and even medicines, a scientific debate on whether these crops are harmful to humans, with both sides pointing to industry studies to prove the efficacy of their argument.
History in the US and Europe
GMOs have technically been around for thousands of years, with early civilizations cross breeding their best plants in order to create hardier stock that would be resistant to insects and other dangers. However, the current process of genetically modifying food for human and animal consumption began in the late 1980s, when scientists first inserted foreign genes into soybeans, which is now the second-biggest crop in America. While GMOs continue to be considered safe for humans, it is important to note that the European Union banned GMOs in October of 2015.
Concerns
American environmental and health advocates have been decrying GMOs for decades, and while it has been difficult to ascertain whether GMOs writ large are harmful, there has been significant research done on individual GMOs. One such GMO, glyphosate, has been found to be a carcinogen and has been linked to both animals and humans getting sick when interacting it. Because GMOs are created in a lab and created for specific purposes, the FDA has struggled to inspect each new strain for possible negative reactions. While GMOs have helped the agriculture and livestock industry, more research needs to be done to understand how modifying crops can affect Americans.
The current iteration of GMOs is still fairly new, and while it has advantages, it also causes concern. By taking the time to learn what does GMO mean as well as how it could affect society, Americans are educating themselves on the powers and dangers of playing with nature.
