What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have been artificially altered through direct manipulation of their genetic structure. Genetically engineered (GE) or "biotech" products, those foods produced from GMOs, have had their genes spliced, copied, multiplied, and recombined in ways that could not have been accomplished through natural processes or selective breeding alone.

Typically, GE products have combinations of genes from different organisms within another organism. For example:

• Flounder genes have been spliced into strawberries to make them frost resistant.
• Scientists have also put genes from an herbicide-resistant form of bacteria into soybeans to make them similarly resistant to herbicides.

Currently there are over 40 different GE crops approved for sale and on the market in the US. These include soybeans, corn, cotton, potatoes, tomatoes, canola, and squash [See Union of Concerned Scientists' page, GE Foods Allowed on the Market for a complete list of GE foods]. Most processed foods on the market today contain at least some traces of GE products.

GE and GMO References

• UCS's page on Biotechnology
• Environmental Media Service - Biotech Media Guide
• The Genetic Engineering Action Network (GEAN)
• The True Food Network
• The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods