Definition of GMO

The specific definition of GMO varies depending on what defining authority you rely upon. The basic definition is any organism that is genetically modified in any way.

Organic foods do not contain GMOs.

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms, which can sometimes be a relatively vague term. What some people consider a GMO, others do not think falls into the same category.

A scientific proponent of GMOs might use a definition that puts a positive spin on this practice: "Genetically modifying organisms in order to enhance the nutritional value or improve the hardiness for the sake of increased crop yield." An organic advocate may instead define GMOs in a negative light: "Modifying organisms with a blatant disregard for the health of consumers and the already perfect results of nature." Some people have accused GMOs as being along the lines of "playing God."

While the definition varies according to what stance the definer has regarding the use of GMOs, the general definition of genetically modified organisms remains the same: An organism that is modified genetically in order to change some element of the organism.

GMOs are used routinely in foods and medicines in the United States, but have been banned in several other countries around the world. Studies have yielded mixed results with regards to the health impact GMOs can produce in humans and animals, as well as the environmental impact these types of crops can bring.

With all the mixed opinions and near-global disdain for GMOs, you may wonder what GMOs are actually used for.

• GMOs are used to place additional nutrients into crops, and are commonly used in developing countries where the population may not otherwise have access to a balanced diet.
• GMOs are utilized as a method to increase the yield of a crop, making it more resilient to undesirable weather conditions or less than ideal agricultural locations.
• GMOs are used to create crops that are more visually appealing to the eye, such as brighter colors for fruits or larger individual crops.
• GMOs can also be used in devious ways, such as creating seeds for crops that will not reproduce again on their own. This practice is particularly used by suppliers who sell seeds to farmers in developing countries and is a huge matter of contention among human rights activists.

Corporations creating seeds that will not reproduce is not the only argument brought against GMOs. Many people do not like the practice of GMOs being used in foods on a regular basis for a number of reasons:

• There is no definitive scientific research that reveals the potentially dangerous effects that GMOs within food and medicinal products may have on humans and animals.
• Foods containing GMO ingredients cannot hold an organic certification because even if they are not exposed to additional toxins and chemicals during production, they are still not technically natural because of the scientific modification.
• GMO crops can potentially invade the crops of surrounding farms.

The definition of GMO can vary greatly, but most organic advocates do not view GMOs in a positive light in the least. One of the most recent arguments with regards to GMOs was the decision to not require GMO labels for food items that contained genetically modified organisms. For this reason, many consumers routinely purchase and consume items that result from genetic modification but aren't aware of it at all.

If it is your goal to learn the definition of GMO in an attempt to avoid purchasing any food items resulting from genetic modification, you have two options:

• Purchase items that are certified as 100% organic, because these items are not allowed to contain GMOs.
• Purchase items that have labels pronouncing the ingredients free of GMOs. The labels for these products usually say something along the lines of "No GMOs" or "No GMO Ingredients."

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