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GMO Facts

GMO Facts
What are GMOs? GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights. Are GMOs safe? Are GMOs labeled? Where does the Non-GMO Project come in? Do Americans want non-GMO foods and supplements? How common are GMOs? What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) | Learn Science at Scitable Barta, A., et al. The expression of a nopaline synthase-human growth hormone chimaeric gene in transformed tobacco and sunflower callus tissue. Plant Molecular Biology 6, 347–357 (1986) Beyer, P., et al. Golden rice: Introducing the β-carotene biosynthesis pathway into rice endosperm by genetic engineering to defeat vitamin A deficiency. Demont, M., et al. Devlin, R., et al. Devos, Y., et al. Guerrero-Andrade, O., et al. Hiatt, A., et al. Hoban, T. Jesse, H., & Obrycki, J. Losey, J., et al. Ma, J., et al. Muir, W., & Howard, R. Sears, M., et al. Spurgeon, D. Takeda, S., & Matsuoka, M. United States Department of Energy, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Human Genome Program. share

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