Well, there are several types of Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs) and I thought it would be nice if I outlined them for you my readers.
So let's get started.
Artificial Selection: This is the most commonly used GMO
type. In fact, we have been using this type for thousands of years.
Basically, we choose a plant and grow several looking for a specific
trait. Then we continually grow that plant with the desired trait in
order to strengthen it and make it more robust. For example, the
selective breeding of corn is how we got those big yellow corn stalks we eat
today as opposed to the original that never grew bigger than the size of baby
corn. Artificial selection is also the end step for the remaining three
types of genetic modifications as well. So artificial selection is very
important (note, this processes was not only used in food but in animals like
cows, dogs and cats which allowed them to develop into the domestic animals we
own today).
Crossbred: In this case, pollen of different plants
with a desired trait such as fungus resistance, or pest resistance is sprinkled
onto the flowers of the primary plant you wish to have gain that trait.
For instance, watermelon pollen was sprinkled on tomato plants and
artificially selected to get even larger tomatoes (they even had a green hue,
and stripes like a watermelon along with a sweeter flavor). This is more
natural to a degree as it is merely putting pollen onto the other plants
flowers to see what plants grow out of it. They even created a tomato
tree! So while it seems odd, there is the possibility that at some point
these particular plants may possibly have existed in the future.
DNA genetic modification: More controversial than the first
two, this one literally inserts one set of DNA into another set. So you
may place a gene from a pig into that of a carrots to see the results and
possibly get a desired result. Weird, yes, but also interesting.
Mutagenesis: This final one exposes plant DNA to
chemicals or radiation in order to mutate it to get a desired result.
This one is more controversial as it is completely unnatural and the idea
of altering DNA via radiation and chemicals makes us think of things like
cancers.
Conclusion: These are the types of genetic
modification with the top one being the main one, and the rest being used more
in modern day. It is important to note that while GMO's are not required
to be tested, all are tested voluntarily because the FDA can pull them from the
market at any time. Also, if the GMO is considered pest resistant, it is
tested like a pesticide and goes through further testing as opposed to the
others which are modified for color, size, and other attributes. Also, it
is important to remember that it is the traits of the GMO's that can
potentially harm us, not the making of GMO's as we do not want to create super
viruses or weeds, or cause cancers. Overall, I think we may have to
distinguish each GMO from each other like we do with fortified and unfortified
foods. This allows the market to decide which ones they feel safer
consuming and thus more money will be poured into that variety of GMO rather
than us condemning all of them as bad. So what say you my readers, know
that I have armed you with some basic knowledge? Should we distinguish
each type, or should we endeavor to explore further into the mystery of science
and life with respect to our food.
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