Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genes have been artificially altered through genetic engineering techniques. Genes are made of hereditary molecules, called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), that carry all the information necessary for the development of living organisms, whether it is a plant, animal, bacteria, or virus. Modern genetic engineering techniques allow for DNA strands of plants and animals to be directly manipulated in laboratory settings. In most cases, GMOs are obtained by transferring one or more genes from one organism to another so that desirable characteristics of the donor organism can be expressed in the recipient organisms. Genes may be transferred not only between organisms of the same species but also between totally unrelated species, such as from a bacterium to a plant.

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