A genetically modified organism (GMO) is created by inserting genes from one species (typically bacteria or a virus) into the DNA of another. This results in a plant with characteristics that wouldn’t occur naturally, such as producing pesticides or the ability to withstand high doses of chemical herbicides.
Currently, GMO varieties of 8 crops are cultivated in the U.S. at commercial scale. These are:
• Corn
• Canola
• Soy
• Cotton
• Sugar Beets
• Alfalfa
• Papaya
• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash