GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Genetic modification is the addition of new DNA to an organism. It uses modern biotechnology tools to introduce new things into organisms.

For example, sometimes chemicals used in farming, such as herbicides, kill both the crops and the weeds. Here, DNA from a herbicide-resistant plant can be copied and added to the crops. Then, herbicides will kill the weeds, but not hurt the crops.

You may not be able to tell genetically modified food from its natural counterpart. They may look the same, but their cell DNA will be different.
The concept of genetic engineering is not new. In fact it has been used in research for many years now. Recently, the technology has been applied to plants and animals for food purposes, and that is why the argument has heated up.

The developers of genetically modified foods believe that genetically modified organisms will be more durable againstenvironmental problems and disease, will have higher nutritional value and taste, and will last longer in stores. More importantly, they believe that the plants will be more resistant to droughts, pests and weeds.