Agriculture and the science behind it have expanded from traditional practices of hybridisation, which involves the exchange of genes between two plants of the same or very similar species, to what is called biotechnology: the various methods, practices, and tools used to modify living organisms.
One of these tools, genetic engineering, allows plant breeders to develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as plants that have been modified by adding genetic material from another organism, whether of the same species or not.
By incorporating genetic modifications, GMOs acquire new protective and/or quality characteristics. GMOs may have a higher resistance to threats such as diseases, insects, pests, herbicides, severe weather conditions such as drought, and unwanted cross-pollination with other plants.
GMOs can also fortify plants with additional vitamins and minerals and remove their allergenic properties, making these plants healthier for consumption.
Many of these GMOs and their new features have been developed by companies that have given their GMO products a trade name so that they can be traded on the open market. It is important to know that genetic traits and trade names are not the same. GMOs with different trade names may have the same genetic trait.
GMOs sold under the same trade name may also contain different genetic modifications. In fact, there are so many different types of GMOs used for such different purposes as food production and packaging that it can be difficult to keep track of them. Often the only way to know if a product contains GMO ingredients is to put it through a GMO test.
GMO detection is accomplished with several GMO tests, including protein and DNA-based GMO detection. DNA-based GMO testing detects the presence of a transgene in a plant's genome, while protein-based GMO testing detects a plant's cellular structure as determined by instructions provided by DNA.
An increasing number of GMOs do not express a unique protein (it refers to RNA that performs a specific cellular function) and can therefore only be detected using a DNA-based test.
Do not hesitate to contact our expert team for detailed information on GMO tests and NON GMO certification or to apply for certification.
