Genetically modified food

This week’s cover story is about the debate over genetically modified food — often referred to as genetically modified organisms, or GMOs for short — and how Washington’s Initiative 522 would require foods to be labeled if they include genetically modified ingredients. The opposition to genetically modified food dates back to when the technology was first possible in the 1980s, and those who object to GMOs as dangerous, sinister or unnatural have a distinct advantage on the visual front.

BY JAMIE DUCHARME Thirty years after tomatoes became the first genetically modified produce sold in the U.S., lots of people...

Here is a comic illustrating the steps taken to obtain GM Food

Photo about Different than the rest - alone - blue strawberry. Concept for genetically modified food. Image of rest, food, distorted - 1274

(August 2004) Generally, this term refers to food crops that have been altered using a variety of molecular biology techniques in order to provide them with either new or enhanced characteristics. Examples of such enhancements of modifications are herbicide tolerance, pesticide resistance, greater nutritional content or increased tolerance of cold temperatures. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

GMO stands for “genetically modified organisms”, and are typically plants or animals which have engineered DNA from other plants, animals, bacteria, or viruses. The hope behind GMOs is that we can produce foods that can withstand harsh environmental conditions and pesticides.

Genetically modified organisms isometric flowchart on turquoise background with dna, research, organic food, gmo goods vector illustration

There’s a lot of hype around genomics these days. From a patient care perspective, it comes down to two basic questions: What types of tests give truly useful information? And, who benefits most from having the testing done? Thought leaders in the field gathered at Maryland University of Integrative Health for a three-day symposium on these issues.