08/08/2025
G M O
GMO stands for genetically modified organism. It refers to any organism whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, according to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. This modification can involve adding, deleting, or rearranging genes to achieve desired traits.
• Genetic Engineering: GMOs are created using genetic engineering, a process that involves manipulating an organism's genes in a laboratory setting.
• Altered DNA: This process alters the organism's DNA, which carries the genetic information that determines its characteristics.
• Desired Traits: The purpose of genetic modification is often to introduce or enhance desirable traits, such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved nutritional content.
• Not Traditional Breeding: GMOs are distinct from organisms produced through traditional breeding methods, as genetic engineering allows for more precise and targeted modifications, including introducing genes from different species.
• Examples: Common examples include GM crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton, which have been engineered for traits like insect resistance or herbicide tolerance.
• Other terms: GMOs are sometimes referred to as genetically engineered organisms or bioengineered foods.
• Genetically modified organism (GMO) | Definition, Examples, & Facts genetically modified organism (GMO), organism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory in order to favour the expression...
EFFECT OF GMO ON PLANTS
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in plants are often engineered to improve yield, pest resistance, or nutritional value — but they can also have negative effects on plants and the surrounding ecosystem. These effects may be direct (impacting the plant itself) or indirect (through ecological interactions). Here are the main concerns:
1. Loss of Genetic Diversity
• Repeated cultivation of a few GMO varieties can reduce biodiversity in crops, making them more vulnerable to new pests, diseases, or environmental changes.
• This genetic uniformity increases the risk of a large-scale crop failure if a resistant pest or pathogen emerges.
2. Development of “Superweeds” and “Superpests”
• Overuse of herbicide-resistant GMO crops (like glyphosate-tolerant soy or maize) can lead to weeds evolving resistance to those herbicides.
• Similarly, pests exposed repeatedly to insect-resistant GMO plants (Bt crops) can develop immunity, reducing the GMO’s effectiveness and creating harder-to-control infestations.
3. Unintended Plant Trait Changes
• Gene insertion can cause unexpected changes in a plant’s metabolism, sometimes leading to reduced nutritional value or altered growth patterns.
• Some GMOs may experience yield drag — where yield is lower than expected under certain conditions.
4. Disruption of Soil Microbes and Nutrient Cycles
• Certain GMO traits, like Bt toxin production, can alter the microbial community in the soil.
• This may affect nutrient cycling and the plant’s natural interactions with beneficial soil organisms (such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria).
5. Cross-Pollination and “Gene Escape”
• GMO pollen can spread to non-GMO or wild relatives, creating unintended hybrids.
• This “gene flow” can lead to contamination of non-GMO crops, threatening organic farming and traditional seed varieties.
6. Potential Loss of Natural Pest Resistance
• If GMOs are overused, plants may lose or rely less on their natural defense mechanisms, making them more dependent on biotechnology and chemical inputs.