Are genetically modified organisms considered organic?

Question

I often read and see the label "organic" on meat and plant products. I think to myself, "duh", considering that "organic" itself means that something is a carbon-based organism. However, it would seem that there's another definition I'm not entirely clear on... from what I've gathered, it means that the plant or animal has not received any antibiotic/pesticide treatment or been given any growth hormone. Fair enough... but does that mean that the animal is 100% natural? What about transgenic steers that have been given a gene that produces growth hormone to make them beefier, or transgenic plants that have been given a gene to make them pest resistant? Does the presence of recombinant DNA in an otherwise normal organism make it inorganic? If so, why? In the case of some organisms, like fish, the trait can become hereditary... so if you were to, say, make fish more disease-resistant, but their offspring were born that way, would the offspring be considered organic? Would the parents be?

Answer 1

Correct Answer, according to USDA standards and Biosuisse, Japan and other standards orgs:

NO, genetically altered plant and animals CAN NOT be labelled "Organic"

Its against the law in US
due to the Organic Food Protection act of 1990
There is a $11,000 fine for false advertising

There are also regulations on pesticides, vaccinations and radiation of crops

http://agriculture.senate.gov/Legislation/Compilations/AgMisc/OGFP90.pdf
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html

Answer 2

That's a really good question. I haven't heard of anything about "organic" that would disqualify genetically modified organisms from being labeled "organic".