GMO Background
What is a GMO?
A genetically modified organism, or a GMO is created by manipulating the plant or animal’s DNA so that it holds certain desirable traits. The process of gene splicing allows the desirable genetic material to become part of the organism’s DNA, thus giving it the name, a genetically modified organism. These organisms are created for both agricultural purposes as well as scientific research.
What are the most common types of GMOs? The two main genetically modified crops seen in the United States are Roundup Ready crops and Bt crops.
Roundup Ready crops are resistant to Roundup (a common herbicide produced by Monsanto). This allows a producer to spray his or her crops with the substance while not having to worry about it killing the crops.
Bt crops, short for bacillus …show more content…
The most common GMOs seen in the market today are corn, soy, squash/zucchini, alfalfa, canola, sugar beets, and milk. In fact, almost 85% of the world’s corn supply is genetically modified. Soy is the most frequently seen GMO within the United States. (Young, 2013)
What is the difference between GMOs and hybridization? GMOs and hybridization are quite dissimilar, despite the fact that they both modify the organism. Genetic modification, as previously mentioned involved gene splicing. This practice allows different genes to be a part of the organism that would not have occurred naturally. This genetic modification is produced within a laboratory, not out in nature. Hybridization is a natural process that uses two different entities that crossbreed. This creates offspring that has traits of both of the crossbred organisms. Hybridization can be thought of as how humans reproduce. When two people come together, they create a baby that has similar traits to that of both the mother and the father. Because this is a natural process, this could be considered a hybrid effect.
What are the concerns surrounding
What is a GMO?
A genetically modified organism, or a GMO is created by manipulating the plant or animal’s DNA so that it holds certain desirable traits. The process of gene splicing allows the desirable genetic material to become part of the organism’s DNA, thus giving it the name, a genetically modified organism. These organisms are created for both agricultural purposes as well as scientific research.
What are the most common types of GMOs? The two main genetically modified crops seen in the United States are Roundup Ready crops and Bt crops.
Roundup Ready crops are resistant to Roundup (a common herbicide produced by Monsanto). This allows a producer to spray his or her crops with the substance while not having to worry about it killing the crops.
Bt crops, short for bacillus …show more content…
The most common GMOs seen in the market today are corn, soy, squash/zucchini, alfalfa, canola, sugar beets, and milk. In fact, almost 85% of the world’s corn supply is genetically modified. Soy is the most frequently seen GMO within the United States. (Young, 2013)
What is the difference between GMOs and hybridization? GMOs and hybridization are quite dissimilar, despite the fact that they both modify the organism. Genetic modification, as previously mentioned involved gene splicing. This practice allows different genes to be a part of the organism that would not have occurred naturally. This genetic modification is produced within a laboratory, not out in nature. Hybridization is a natural process that uses two different entities that crossbreed. This creates offspring that has traits of both of the crossbred organisms. Hybridization can be thought of as how humans reproduce. When two people come together, they create a baby that has similar traits to that of both the mother and the father. Because this is a natural process, this could be considered a hybrid effect.
What are the concerns surrounding