Genetic modification is a hot topic in the farm and food world—and one that tends to get small-scale farmers’ blood boiling. Since commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops started in the 1990s, more than 350 million acres in 22 countries have been planted with genetically modified crops, according to a 2010 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The most common GM crops are cotton, corn, canola and soybeans.
Despite their growing popularity, an ABC News poll conducted in 2015 found that 52 percent of respondents believed foods made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were unsafe and 93 percent believed foods containing GMOs should be labeled.
Although genetic modification is all over the news, there are a lot of misconceptions about the terms that are tossed around. What does GMO mean? Is it different from genetic modification and genetic engineering? Are hybrids GMOs? To reduce the confusion, we’ve defined eight common terms related to genetic modification and how they’re typically used.
1. Genetic Modification
Genetic modification is the process of modifying an organism by adding new genetic material or DNA. It’s also called genetic engineering or genetic manipulation. The goal of genetic modification is introducing new traits that are not currently present in that organism, including insect resistance, hardiness or modified nutrient content.
The Golden Rice Project is an example of genetic modification. Scientists added vitamin A to rice through genetic modification to help prevent dire health consequences resulting from rampant vitamin A deficiency in the developing world, where the grain is a staple crop.
Unlike breeding, which combines the DNA from species that could combine genetic material naturally (for example, two varieties of stone fruit or two breeds of cows) genetic modification combines DNA from different species that could not reproduce on their own (almonds and soybeans, fish and ducks).
2. Genetically Modified Organisms
The process of altering genetic material is called genetic modification; the plants, animals and other organisms that contain altered genetic material are called genetically modified organisms or GMOs.
GMOs can be raw ingredients like corn, canola and soybeans, or can be used as ingredients in prepared foods like sweeteners, canola oil, soups, cereals and snack foods.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that, “Foods [made] from genetically engineered plants must meet the same requirements, including safety requirements, as foods from traditionally bred plants.”
3. Biotechnology
This term refers to the use of living organisms to solve problems or develop new products. Genetic modification is one example of biotechnology; vaccinations and antibiotics were also created via biotechnology.
4. Breeding
Unlike genetic modification, which involves manually moving genetic material between organisms that could not combine on their own, breeding combines genetic material from two species that are genetically compatible.
Breeding can happen naturally (i.e., two unaltered farm dogs meeting behind the barn or bees carrying pollen from one flower to another) or through deliberate pairing of animal species or plant varieties (crossing a mildew-resistant tomato with a high-yield variety in a lab to create a new line with desirable traits from each plant).
Breeding can improve traits, providing those traits already exist in the organism. For example, oranges can be bred for increased vitamin C content because their genetic material already contains vitamin C.
5. Hybrid
The plants, animals or other organisms created through controlled breeding are called hybrids. In other words, breeding is the process of combining genetic material and a hybrid is the result.
While hybrids have advantages, including enhanced size, flavor or vigor, they also contain the negative traits of their parent organisms; controlled breeding can reduce the expression of these traits, but they still exist. Additionally, hybrid seeds should not be saved because the “mating” of two hybrids will not always produce offspring with the same desirable qualities as the parent organisms. Hybrids are not GMOs.
6. Open-Pollinated
Unlike hybrids, which are produced through controlled pollination, open-pollinated seed is produced via natural pollination between two plants. Reproduction can occur through cross-pollination between two plants (the pollen is carried by wind, water or insects) or self-pollination between the male and female flower parts on the same plant. Corn, carrots, squash and beets are cross-pollinating, while beans, peas, lettuce and tomatoes are self-pollinating.
7. Heirloom
While there is no clear-cut definition of an heirloom vegetable, fruit or flower, they’re generally varieties that were grown before World War II. Home gardeners often save the seeds, passing them down through generations to preserve the varieties. There are even stories of immigrants coming to the U.S. with seeds from their home countries in their pockets. Seed companies also sell heirloom varieties that have been preserved through the generations.
Most heirloom seeds are open-pollinated. The varieties offer different characteristics, including taste and appearance, from their hybrid counterparts.
8. Organic
In agriculture, organic is a term used to describe plant and animal products that were produced without synthetic products like pesticides and antibiotics. This rules out GMOs, but hybrids are fair game. Organic products do not contain genetically modified ingredients.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates use of the term “organic.” To use the USDA Organic seal (or make the claim to consumers that products are organic), farmers and ranchers must meet strict standards. To obtain USDA organic certification, farms must undergo annual inspections to ensure compliance.
Read more about genetic modification on HobbyFarms.com:
- Are GMOs in Your Food? Vermont Will Tell You
- GMOs Vs. Pesticides: Which Evil Would You Choose?
- GM Is OK, Researcher’s Say—But What Don’t We Know?
- GMOs Cause Health Problems In Pigs
- Monsanto’s Magically Appearing GM Wheat
