GMOs: Yay or Nay?
- bxgenetics
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
BY KATHERINE HONG
Ever shuck a corn cob, and to your surprise, you unveil a rainbow of kernels instead of the daisy yellow you expect? You may have thought that these cobs were artificially altered to increase consumerism. But the translucent purple, white, and ruby colors you see were introduced after years of selective breeding. Producers use a combination of corn varieties and traditional open-pollination techniques to achieve the unique, vibrant “Glass Gem Corn.”
Corn is the most widely grown crop in the United States. In 2020, 92% of the domestically grown corn was GMO corn. So, that leaves the question: If not for the aesthetic color of the corn, why do producers genetically engineer it?
Genetically modified organisms, commonly abbreviated as GMOs, are plants, animals, and microorganisms whose genetic material has been genetically engineered. DNA modification techniques are used to selectively breed animals and crops over generations to achieve desired traits.
Now, back to the corn! Producers aim to yield crops that are tolerant to herbicides and resistant to insect pests. For example, the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is genetically modified, enabling it to produce proteins that are toxic to certain harmful insects but are not of potential harm to humans, pets, or livestock. By growing Bt corn, farmers eliminate the need for pesticides, while still preventing their crops from damage. Like corn, various other crops are genetically altered to develop herbicide resistance, including cotton, potato, and canola. Consequently, the reduction of pesticide and water use reduces the overall cost of growing crops,
Are Genetically Modified Animals Safe for Consumption?
The genetic makeup of animals is also commonly altered. A large percentage of GMO animals are used for research purposes to gain insight about specific genes and any related diseases linked to them. However, some of these animals are consumed by us humans. In the US, salmon mature at faster rates as a result of genetic engineering. For example, AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically engineered Atlantic salmon whose growth hormone was replaced with the growth hormone of the Pacific Chinook salmon. This, along with the addition of the promoter sequence from ocean pout, enables the fish to grow larger throughout the year, even during the harsh, cold winter. Of course, there are concerns about whether GMO animals are safe to eat. The FDA, however, has deemed these fish, as well as other products, safe for consumption.
As more and more GMO food products are released, you should still remain cautious. The new meatless Impossible Burger and GMO Arctic Apple are making their way into households even before full safety standards are set. For one, the genetically modified “heme” protein, the main ingredient in the Impossible Burger, could be an allergen, and after reviewing, the FDA found forty-six unexpected proteins. Despite this information, the company still sells these burgers across the US.
Ultimately, GMOs have their advantages in terms of greater efficiency and lower costs, but don’t overlook the potential dangers they pose. So, the next time you hear of a new trendy food or an unfamiliar food product, conduct some research before you decide to buy it.

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