What Is Genetically Modified Food?

Genetically modified food is plant food that has been produced by genetic manipulation. For example, it is possible to grow tomatoes from tomato plants that have been given an extra gene or two that give them better keeping properties. These tomatoes are genetically modified.

Technically, farming has been producing genetically modified crops for centuries – by cross breeding different varieties. However, the term genetically modified is now reserved to describe plants produced by the modern genetic technology that introduces single genes into plants to make them grow better or make their products more appealing.

Some people are very opposed the GM food and there have been public demonstrations against it. People are worried not so much for their own health or problems from eating the food, it is problems with the environment that concern them. Genetically modified crops may outcompete with other plants and spread uncontrollably, destroying traditional varieties. They are also worried that testing has not been stringent enough to know what will happen in the future if GM crops are grown routinely.