What does GMO stand for?

Genetically Modified Organism

http://ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=7205

What are GMOs?

“Genetically Modified foods are derived from organisms whose genetic material has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally…”

http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/

The problem with this is that the process by which many transgenic plants are produced is through the utilization of agrobacterium’s infection, which integrates a segment of its DNA into the host plant

“Species that have undergone directed modification of their gene complement using techniques such as altering the DNA, substituting genetic material by means of a virus, transplanting whole nuclei, transplanting cell hybrids, etc.” USDA

What can you put in GMOs?

This varies from country to country [World Trade Review]

Where do GMOs come from?

Biotechnology companies such as Syngenta and Monsanto, as well as Biotechnology departments at universities such as Penn State University

What are the benefits of GMOs?

Increased yield

Increasing nutritional content (Biofortification)

Reducing allergenic potential

Improving efficiency of food production systems

Improving Shelf Life

Improving Disease Resistance

Improving Pest Resistance

[Crop Biofortification-GMO or Non-GMO, ETH Zurich University]

(WHO)