Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Combine Harvester
Copyright the Environmental Protection Agency

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) describe organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms whose genetic characteristics have been changed to an extent that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 2019). Historically, crops and livestock have been cross-bred so genetic make-up of offspring is altered to select for preferred characteristics and/or qualities. Traditional plant and animal breeding techniques demand that individual species involved are the same or closely related. However, advancement in genetic engineering techniques have made it possible to introduce, remove or enhance particular characteristics in an organism either by inserting genes from another organism or alternatively altering its genetic make-up.