What does GMO stand for?

Everything You Need To Know About GMO

What does GMO stand for? Gmo is an abbreviation for genetically modified organisms. The World Health Organisation or the WHO defines GMOs as “the kind of organisms which can be either plants, animals or even microorganisms whose DNA has been altered in a different way other than the natural methods like mating”.

If you have no idea what GMOs are and are curious, stick till the end of the article to learn everything you need to know about GMOs, whether it is good for your health or will have a diverse effect on your health.

GMO seeds VS Non-GMO seeds:

By definition, GMO and non-GMO seeds can be distinguished as:

GMO seeds

Non-GMO seeds

  • The Gmo seeds are grown physically inside a laboratory by biotech engineers who use several technical methods known as genetic engineering.
  • The methodology used is known as recombinant DNA methodologies, and through this, the DNA of one organism can be transferred into another.
  • This transfer of genetics is known as transgenic organisms.

  • Non-GMO seeds are simply the seeds that are grown in the natural process of soil, air and sun.
  • But most of the seeds these days are not grown naturally but inside a laboratory.
  • Techniques like cross-breeding captured the traditional breeding techniques, and that is how the father of genetics was born – Mendel.

How To Identify GMO Foods?

The main reason for growing genetically modified crops is because they grow faster and are usually very cheap. However, there are more disadvantages of growing GMO crops because it has a higher possibility of being a threat to human health and the environment. Thus, the main question arises, how does one identify GMO foods?

  • When you go to a grocery store, you will find a sticker attached to the food items. In addition, you will find a code for that respective food item.
  • If it is a Gmo-free product, there will be a five-digit code, and it will always start with 9.
  • Gmo products will always begin with an 8.
  • A conventional product will have a four-digit code.

If you are still unable to figure out through these codes, you may always look for the certification and quickly verify on the internet whether it says GMO-free product or not. You will always find some or the other clues on the packaging of a product.

Disadvantages Of Gmo Foods:

It seems that there are more disadvantages of GMO foods than it being advantageous. Well, it may be advantageous to the pocket, but it is not advantageous to the health. Listed below are some of the disadvantages of GMO foods:

  • The food becomes toxic in nature:

The factor of instability and uncertainty comes in when genetics are transferred. The more gene insertion takes place, the more complex chemical composition forms inside. Thus, without knowing, the toxicity of the food might increase.

  • Chances of Allergic Reactions:

This goes without saying. When food becomes toxic in nature, and there is a complex chemical composition inside, if a person, unaware of the composition, intakes the food, he/she might face a very crucial allergic reaction. The diagnosis might even be complicated because the composition of the food will still be unknown.

  • Nutritional loss:

When everything is created artificially, then the nutritional value becomes null because of the absence of natural ingredients. Thus, it is advisable not to consume GMO food.

Which Countries Use and Grow GMO?

The top countries that grow GMO crops are:

  • Spain
  • USA
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • India
  • Canada

Here is a video that will help you get an in-depth understanding. This amount of information in this article will never allow you to forget what does GMO stand for and means.