General Article GM basics

Topic Selected: Biotech and Bioethics
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Find out how genetic modification technology works and what it means for our food.

 

What is GM?

GM, which stands for ‘genetic modification’ or ‘genetically modified’, is the process of altering the genes of a plant, animal or micro-organism, or inserting a gene from another organism (living thing). Genes carry the instructions for all the characteristics that an organism inherits. They are made up of DNA (see an explanation of DNA below).

Genetic modification is achieved by altering DNA, or by introducing genetic material from one organism into another – either from a different variety of the same species or a different species altogether. For example, genes can be introduced from one plant to another plant, from a plant to an animal, or from a micro-organism to a plant. Transferring genes between plants and animals is a particular area of debate.

Sometimes the term ‘biotechnology’ is used to describe genetic modification. This can also have a wider meaning – that of using micro-or...

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