- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living organisms—plants, animals, or microorganisms—whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology techniques.
- Unlike traditional breeding, which relies on selective crossing over many generations, genetic modification allows for precise changes to DNA, including the insertion, deletion, or modification of specific genes. This enables scientists to introduce new traits, such as resistance to pests, tolerance to herbicides, improved nutritional content, or the ability to produce valuable substances like medicines and industrial enzymes. GMOs therefore represent a powerful application of molecular biology to solve agricultural, medical, and industrial challenges.
- The development of GMOs began in the 1970s and 1980s, following the discovery of recombinant DNA technology, which made it possible to transfer genes between organisms. One of the earliest breakthroughs was the creation of genetically modified bacteria that produced human insulin, approved in 1982, which revolutionized diabetes treatment. Shortly afterward, genetically modified crops were introduced, with the first commercial GMO, the Flavr Savr tomato, launched in 1994. Since then, GMOs have been widely adopted in agriculture, with crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and canola engineered for higher yields, pest resistance, or enhanced quality.
- The applications of GMOs extend far beyond agriculture. In medicine, genetically modified microorganisms produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. In environmental biotechnology, GMOs are explored for bioremediation, helping to clean up pollutants such as oil spills or heavy metals. In animal science, transgenic animals are used both in research to model human diseases and in farming to improve productivity or resistance to illness. GMOs also play a critical role in synthetic biology, where organisms are engineered to produce biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and other sustainable products.
- Despite their benefits, GMOs have been the subject of intense debate and controversy. Concerns include potential environmental impacts, such as cross-pollination with wild species, the evolution of resistant pests, and loss of biodiversity. Health-related fears, though not supported by scientific consensus, focus on possible allergenicity or unforeseen long-term effects of consuming GMO-derived foods. Ethical questions also arise regarding the patenting of genetically modified seeds, corporate control of agriculture, and the implications of altering life at the genetic level. Regulatory frameworks vary across countries, with strict labeling and approval processes in some regions, while others adopt a more permissive approach.
- Scientific consensus, supported by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the National Academy of Sciences, holds that approved GMO foods are safe for consumption and can be beneficial for food security. However, calls remain for careful monitoring, transparent labeling, and responsible deployment to ensure ecological balance and public trust. Advances in new gene-editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 are pushing the field into a new era of more precise and potentially less controversial modifications, as they allow for targeted changes without introducing foreign DNA.
| GMO Class | Level of risk the GMO presents | Containment level required to control the risk |
| Class 1 | No or negligible risk | Containment level 1 |
| Class 2 | Low risk | Containment level 2 |
| Class 3 | Moderate risk | Containment level 3 |
| Class 4 | High risk | Containment level 4 |
