When people say genetically modified organisms - GMOs - they are referring to crops developed through genetic engineering, which is a more precise method of growing plants. 

Genetic engineering, also called biotechnology, allows plant breeders to take a desired trait from nature and transfer it from a plant or organism to the one they want to develop, while also modifying an existing trait in a plant. 

Examples of some commonly transmitted desirable traits include resistance to insects and diseases, and tolerance to herbicides, which enable farmers to better control weeds. 

GMOs are created to achieve a desired trait such as a pest resistance or tolerance to drought conditions. 

GMO crops are grown for the following reasons:

• Insect resistance : Providing farmers with all-season protection against pests, reducing the need for pesticide application and reducing input costs.
• Drought tolerance : Increasing water retention and enabling crops to better withstand drought conditions without the need for additional irrigation.
• Herbicide tolerance : Enabling farmers to fight weeds by applying targeted herbicides only when needed and to use conservative tillage production methods that protect topsoil, prevent erosion and reduce carbon emissions.
• Disease resistance : To enable plants to resist certain diseases such as papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). For example, GM Rainbow Papaya (developed to resist PRSV) allowed Hawaiian papaya farmers to recover when devastating disease crippled their industry.
• Enhanced nutritional content: creating foods with an improved fat profile to make foods like soybeans longer lasting and trans fat free.
• Reduced food waste: When products are cut or processed - for example in potatoes - to eliminate superficial browning and bruising to reduce the amount of product thrown away by manufacturers, processors, retailers and consumers.
• Improved production processes: By improving the process by which cellulose and/or starch are broken down and converted into fuel, for example, enabling more efficient biofuel production in some corn varieties. This helps reduce environmental impact by reducing the amount of water, electricity and natural gas required to produce biofuels.

Do not hesitate to contact our expert team to get detailed information about the GMO Free and NON GMO label and certification, or to apply for certification.