What are Genetically modified foods?

Answer 1

Genetic modification of plants or animals occurs by inserting genetic material from one organism into the chromosomes of another organism. Scientists discovered methods to horizontally transfer the DNA from a ‘donor’ organism into that of a ‘host’ organism across species lines (for example, inserting the DNA that enables Arctic fish to survive in cold water into strawberries for the purpose of making the fruit more tolerant of cold temperatures). Cross-breeding occurs in nature only within species boundaries (i.e. breeding one variety of tomato with another tomato to create a hybrid), thus genetic engineering enables scientists to create novel organisms that otherwise would not be possible in nature. The result of gene-splicing enables the host to express the genetic information obtained from the donor, passing it on to subsequent generations through conventional breeding and propagation. Genetic engineering is carried out with the intent of yielding an improved product. Examples of these transgenic plants include corn, potatoes, canola, cotton and soy beans injected with DNA from herbicide and/or pesticides. The desired goals are insect and weed resistant crops that require reduced exogenous herbicide and pesticide application.

Answer 2

usually fruit and vegetable that were genetically modified, by the artificial introduction of genes from another source, usually in order to enhance some bad characteristics of the original plant, like resistance to insects for instance, but sometimes to change the composition of the fruit/vegetable with added nutrients