What are GMOs

Staff Writer
Jan 14
3 min read

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Genetically Modified Organisms are any organism that has had their DNA changed by genetic engineering methods. They can also go by the name of bioengineered in stores and include both animals and plants. Plants are the more commonly seen one especially when shopping in grocery stores, while animals are typically used in tests and studies.

They first began in the early 1990s. In the current days, you most likely consume a GMO product if you consume something with corn, soybean,s or sugar, as 90% of these products are GMO’s. In the United States, Genetically Modified Organisms are managed by three different government bodies, those being the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Together they work to protect consumers and ensure GMO’s are safe for consumption.

What are the benefits of GMO’s

GMO’s have many benefits that can support both farmer and consumer.

Faster growing and Larger yields: Farmers are also able to produce quicker, making more money for the farmer and making food in stores more affordable.
Reduced need for chemical application: By introducing specific traits making plants resistant to pests or certain herbicide it reduces the amount or specific types of chemical application needed. In developing countries that rely on human application of chemicals, it also helps reduce exposure to these chemicals.
Increase nutrition: Certain traits can be added that help increase the nutritional value of food, pair this with faster growing and larger yields, and this helps those without adequate access to food to meet their nutritional needs.

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What are the downsides?

Need for more regulations: In some areas of GMO production their are grey areas where more regulation is required to protect the consumer as well as the environment.
Costs: There are costs required for the development, testing, and implementation process. Testing is important and a required step, as without it, there is a possibility for an adverse reaction or effect caused by the consumption of GMO’s. Concerns include antibiotic resistance, disease introduction due to products not showing signs of disease, and possibly affecting the human body or immune system.
Loss of diversity: There is a reliability to a specific crop which can lead to many issues, such as pests or weeds developing a resistance to pesticides and herbicides, cross-pollination between GMO’s and wild species reducing the wild genetic diversity, and the reliance on monocropping. Some ways to combat this are by having a proper farming plan, including crop rotations and using different chemical applications.

How to avoid GMO’s?

There are many reasons someone may want to avoid GMOs. Here are some tips to use next time you need groceries:

Look for a 100% organic label
Look for a Non GMO project verified label
Do research on what products commonly are GMOs, and check ingredient lists on processed products to see if they contain these products.
Go to local producers, smaller farmers may not use GMO’s, and it is a great way to support your local growers.

Non GMO project label

Future of GMOS

We are headed toward a future of increased use of GMOs, seeing use in future biomedical studies, and an increase in nutrition in our food. Scientists and researchers are continuing to study the effects of GMOs and the development of safer use. Always make sure to do research on your foods to ensure you understand how they were grown and it fits with your lifestyle.

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Works cited

Beautiful free images & pictures | unsplash. (n.d.-a). https://unsplash.com/

Benefits of genetically modified crops • Food Safety Institute. Food Safety and Quality Institute. (2025, December 10). https://foodsafety.institute/food-biotechnology/benefits-of-genetically-modified-crops/

FDA. (n.d.-b). https://www.fda.gov/media/135279/download?attachment=

Genetically modified organisms. Education. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/genetically-modified-organisms/

Pace, B., Picard, R., Marlin, L., & MS, J. Y. (2023, August 4). 14 disadvantages of gmos that every consumer should know. Green Coast. https://greencoast.org/disadvantages-of-gmos/

Potential health impacts of gmos - the non-GMO project. The Non-GMO Project - Everyone Deserves an Informed Choice. (2025, April 23). https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/gmofacts/potential-health-impacts-of-gmos/

Smyth, S. J. (2020, April). The human health benefits from GM Crops. Plant biotechnology journal. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061863/

Ways to avoid genetically modified food | down to Earth Organic and Natural. (n.d.-c). https://www.downtoearth.org/articles/health-tips/2060/ways-to-avoid-genetically-modified-food