Are GMOs Different From Traditional Crossbreeding?


"GMO" means "genetically modified organism". The technology used to genetically modify an organism is called genetic engineering, and an organism modified in this way is called genetically modified (GE).

Are GMOs Different From Traditional Crossbreeding?

The genetic engineering process typically involves isolating DNA (genetic material) from one organism (an animal, plant, virus or bacterium), inserting it into the DNA of another organism, and transferring traits associated with the inserted genes to the modified organism.

Products that have been modified to express new traits through genetic engineering are also called "transgenic". Until now, GE crop plants have been the source of almost all GMOs sold in grocery stores as food or food ingredients. 

However, AquaAdvantage salmon, a GE animal, was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is not currently in the markets, but such products will be seen frequently in the near future.

Important differences distinguish genetic engineering from conventional breeding. In traditional crop hybridization, also called hybridization, two different strains of the same or closely related plant species cross-pollinate, thereby sharing their DNA and this produces offspring containing genes from each parent.

Mature seeds from cross plants are sequentially planted and grown. Plant breeders then select offspring that display the most desirable combination of traits. Genes of other organisms that are not sexually compatible with the product, such as animals or bacteria, are not included.

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