Consumer Knowledge and Behavior Re: Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotechnology-Derived Food Products and Animal Feed - Wave III: Focus Groups Exploring Consumer Reactions to Educational Materials

OMB No. 0910-0497
Appendix V

Expiration Date: 10/31/2020

GMOs 101: Your Basic Questions Answered
GMOs 101: Your Basic Questions
About GMOs Answered

What makes it a GMO?
A GMO (genetically modified organism) is a plant, animal, or
microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed
(modified) using technology that generally involves the specific transfer
or direct modification of DNA. Scientists often refer to this process as
genetic engineering (GE).

Photo/Graphic of GMO food

Is it called GMO or GE or something else?
“GMO” has become the common term consumers and popular media
use to describe foods that have been created through genetic
engineering (GE). “Genetic engineering” or “GE” is the term typically
used by scientists, but you’re not likely to see “GE” on labels on
grocery store shelves. However, you may start seeing the word
“bioengineered” or “BE” on labels on some of the foods we eat
because of the new U.S. food labeling law. When you see the label, it
lets you know the product, or some of its ingredients, contain DNA
from GMOs.

What GMO crops are out there?
Corn, soy, canola, and cotton make up 99 percent of the world’s
GMOs. Seventy-two percent of GMO corn and 60 percent of GMO
soy go to feed livestock such as cows and chickens. The fact is, you
won’t find many GMO fruits or vegetables in the produce section of
your grocery store. Most GMO crops developed for consumers go into
processed foods like cereal, snack chips, and vegetable oils. GMOs
are a common part of today’s food supply.

Why do we have GMOs?
All forms of agriculture, including organic and conventional, involve
the process of modifying (changing) plants. Humans have used
traditional ways to modify crops and animals to suit their needs and
tastes for more than 10,000 years. Cross-breeding and selective
breeding are examples of traditional ways to make changes. The
reasons for genetic modification today are likely similar to what they
were thousands of years ago: higher crop yields, less crop loss, longer
storage life, better appearance, better nutrition, or some combination
of these.

GMO crops currently
available in the
United States:
• Alfalfa
• Apples
• Canola
• Corn
• Cotton
• Papaya
• Potatoes
• Soybeans
• Squash
• Sugar beets
Non-GMO versions of these
crops are also available.

Do GMOs affect our health?
GMO foods are as healthful to eat as their non-GMO counterparts. Some GMO plants have been modified to
improve their nutritional value. An example is GMO soybeans with healthier oils that can be used to replace oils
that contain trans fats. Since GMO foods were introduced in the 1990s, research and regular monitoring have
shown that they are just as safe as non-GMO foods. Additionally, research from USDA shows no harmful impacts
in cows and chickens that eat animal feed made with GMOs.

Do GMO plants reduce pesticide use?

Photo of GMO crops in a field

It’s a complex issue. Some GMO plants are developed to be resistant
to insects. These GMOs have greatly reduced the need for and use of
many pesticides. Other GMO plants are developed to tolerate certain
weed killers. Some people are concerned that farmers who grow these
GMOs will use more weed killers, which could lead to some weeds
developing resistance to these chemicals.