GMO+Foods

What is a GMO food?
GMO stands for 'genetically modified organism'. So a GMO food is a genetically modified food, for example. Any organism that has undergone or produced by GMO is called //transgenic.//

Genetic modification can include:
 * cross-pollenating
 * breeding
 * modification of DNA code by recombinant methods

Genetic engineering can produce the following benefits:
 * disease resistance in plants
 * greater crop yield
 * adaptation to climates (such as drought resistance)
 * resistance to pesticides
 * better shelf life, flavor, color, texture, or nutrient value in foods
 * production of pharmaceuticals (such as insulin) in bacteria, plants, etc.
 * production of vaccines
 * medical research methods using GMO animals or plants

Some controversial aspects of GMO use include:
 * allergic reactions to GMO foods
 * toxic effects of consuming GMO foods
 * whether or not GMO foods should be labeled
 * copyright/patent control over genetics
 * introduction of GMOs into natural habitats or non-GMO farms
 * unknown or unintended consequences of genetic engineering
 * ethical questions
 * species (mainly, crop) biodiversity