Genetically modified foods (GM foods or GMO foods)

Genetically modified foods (GM foods or GMO foods) are foods derived from genetically modified organisms, (GMOs). Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques.  These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding; plant breeding, and animal breeding, and somaclonal variation.

GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. Animal products have also been developed, although as of July 2010 none are currently on the market. In 2006 a pig was controversially engineered to produce omega-3 fatty acids through the expression of a roundworm gene.  Researchers have also developed a genetically-modified breed of pigs that are able to absorb plant phosphorus more efficiently, and as a consequence the phosphorus content of their manure is reduced by as much as 60%.

Critics have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including safety issues, ecological concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact that these organisms are subject to intellectual property law.

Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide; alternatively, the Cry toxin may be extracted and used as a pesticide. B. thuringiensis also occurs naturally in the gut of caterpillars of various types of moths and butterflies, as well as on the dark surface of plants.

During sporulation many Bt strains produce crystal proteins (proteinaceous inclusions), called δ-end toxins, that have insecticidal action. This has led to their use as insecticides, and more recently to genetically modified crops using Bt genes. There are however many crystal-producing Bt strains that do not have insecticidal properties.

In most cases changes to nature and ecology are not entirely known. From farmers point new seeds are required for each crop and what changes it would make to soil are as well suspect. So while the traditional farmer is forced to buy seeds for each crop he may loose cultivable land as well. Changes it would make to human health are as well not entirely known. Only for countries America, Canada, Brazil and Argentina adopted some crops. China and India are latest entries with India limited as yet to BT-cotton and some tests on Soya- the results thereof have not been encouraging. It is US multinationals clot that is forcing GOI to adopt while most from aware populace is opposing. EU has not adopted and does not appear intending to......Bt.