By Apoorva Khandelawal
We all know about GMO and organic food, but what is the difference? Organic food is produced without involving pesticides and chemicals. It's all natural. Genetically modified food is produced from living things whose DNA was changed through genetic engineering. GMO is short for these genetically modified organisms.
Genetic engineering is a DNA technology process of transplanting a DNA of an organism and putting it in another. Genetic engineering is a versatile tool. Farmers mostly use genetic engineering in corn and soy to make it herbicide resistant. Another way genetic engineering is used with crops is to make them produce more nutrients.
During the 20th century it specifically started being called recombinant DNA technology which means gene cloning. Gene cloning happens when DNA molecules from two or more sources are inserted in the host’s organism in which they are able to reproduce after the DNA molecules combine within cells or vitro. The idea of recombinant DNA technology started in 1968 by a Swiss microbiologist when he discovered restriction enzymes, a protein produced by bacteria. The next year another microbiologist cleansed type II restriction enzymes which were found to be an integral part of genetic engineering for it to adhere within a DNA.
Genetic engineering was based on recombination which was evolved in 1973 by two biochemists (Stanley N. Cohen & Herbert W. Boyer). They cut DNA into pieces and rejoined them with unlike pieces. They then put the new genes into a specific bacteria (E. coli) which made it reproduce.
In the early 21st century techniques emerged and focused on gene editing. Changing a specific genetic sequence of an organism's DNA allows researchers customize living organisms by gene editing.
Genetic engineering has helped in several ways such as making crops herbicide resistant, but it can do harm as well. If you have toxic crops on your farm, it makes the whole land toxic, because it harms insects such as moths and butterflies. Not only that, but you may be risking your health by eating crops that have been genetically modified. Think about this the next time you buy foods that have been modified.
Works Cited:
1. Plumer, Brad. “What Is Genetically Modified Food?” Vox, Vox, 3 Nov. 2014, www.vox.com/2014/11/3/18092700/what-is-genetically-modified-food.
2. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Genetic Engineering.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 22 May 2020, www.britannica.com/science/genetic-engineering#ref337079.
3. “What Is Genetic Engineering?- Definition, Types, Process And Application.” Genetic Education, 22 Nov. 2019, geneticeducation.co.in/what-is-genetic-engineering-definition-types-process-and-application/.
4. “Why We Are against GMOs - GMOs.” Slow Food International, 12 Jan. 2018, www.slowfood.com/what-we-do/themes/gmos/why-we-are-against-gmos/.
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