What is a GMO?
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is an organism that has been altered and has had its DNA changed. Therefore, a scientist can create an organism with desired traits such as the ability to resist diseases and insects or improve the quality in nutrition and food processing.
History
GMO history goes back to the 1860s when the discovery of genes and how they worked was found out by Gregor Mendel. In 1944, scientists found out that DNA was what carried genetic information. With these discoveries, three scientists by the names of Marc Van Montagu, Mary-Dell Chilton, and Robert Fraley worked independently to implant different genes into plants. Fraley took that information and made the first GMO plant that was immune to certain different kinds of bacteria. In 1983, the first transplant from one organism to another took place and involved a tobacco plant. Then, seven years later, cotton was successfully modified. In 1994, the first GMO to hit the shelves was a modified tomato.
How is a GMO Made?
A GMO is made by selecting a foreign DNA, such as the DNA that can resist diseases, and transfer it to the organism one is trying to modify. The two different DNA strands fuse together and create a new piece of DNA when the genetic material is placed into the cell of the organism. A pipette is used to transfer the vector, or DNA carrier, into a cell where the DNA can be copied and multiplied.
Which Foods Contain GMOs?
GMOs can be found in a variety of foods. Roughly 60-70% of processed foods can have traces of GMOs in them. However, corn, soy, and canola are the most commonly modified products. Therefore, any derivatives of these foods may contain GMOs, like corn chips, tortillas, or soy milk, soy beans, and some kinds of pasta. Cooking oils based off of these products more than likely also contain GMOs. Rice in Asian countries may also be genetically modified so that they have vitamin A to battle the deficiently of this vitamin. 90% of hard cheeses are made with products of genetically modified enzymes since the necessary enzymes that come from the stomach of calves can be hard to come by. Fruit, like papaya, is also commonly genetically modified. Since the ringspot virus wiped out nearly all of the papaya plantations in Hawaii in the 1980s, they needed to be modified so they could fight off that virus.
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is an organism that has been altered and has had its DNA changed. Therefore, a scientist can create an organism with desired traits such as the ability to resist diseases and insects or improve the quality in nutrition and food processing.
History
GMO history goes back to the 1860s when the discovery of genes and how they worked was found out by Gregor Mendel. In 1944, scientists found out that DNA was what carried genetic information. With these discoveries, three scientists by the names of Marc Van Montagu, Mary-Dell Chilton, and Robert Fraley worked independently to implant different genes into plants. Fraley took that information and made the first GMO plant that was immune to certain different kinds of bacteria. In 1983, the first transplant from one organism to another took place and involved a tobacco plant. Then, seven years later, cotton was successfully modified. In 1994, the first GMO to hit the shelves was a modified tomato.
How is a GMO Made?
A GMO is made by selecting a foreign DNA, such as the DNA that can resist diseases, and transfer it to the organism one is trying to modify. The two different DNA strands fuse together and create a new piece of DNA when the genetic material is placed into the cell of the organism. A pipette is used to transfer the vector, or DNA carrier, into a cell where the DNA can be copied and multiplied.
Which Foods Contain GMOs?
GMOs can be found in a variety of foods. Roughly 60-70% of processed foods can have traces of GMOs in them. However, corn, soy, and canola are the most commonly modified products. Therefore, any derivatives of these foods may contain GMOs, like corn chips, tortillas, or soy milk, soy beans, and some kinds of pasta. Cooking oils based off of these products more than likely also contain GMOs. Rice in Asian countries may also be genetically modified so that they have vitamin A to battle the deficiently of this vitamin. 90% of hard cheeses are made with products of genetically modified enzymes since the necessary enzymes that come from the stomach of calves can be hard to come by. Fruit, like papaya, is also commonly genetically modified. Since the ringspot virus wiped out nearly all of the papaya plantations in Hawaii in the 1980s, they needed to be modified so they could fight off that virus.