Which statement best defines a GMO?

Which statement best defines a GMO?

• A. Clones
• B. Hybrids of species
• C. Non-modified organisms
• D. Transgenic organisms created for commercial purposes

Answer: (D)

Genetic modification involves altering an organism’s DNA with engineered changes to introduce new traits. The statement that best captures what a GMO is describes transgenic organisms created for commercial purposes. Transgenic means a gene from another species is inserted into the genome, producing traits not achievable by traditional breeding, and many GMOs are developed specifically for agricultural or industrial use with commercial goals. Cloning refers to making genetically identical copies of an organism, which can happen with or without genetic modification, so it isn’t the defining feature of GMOs. Hybrids result from crossing species and often rely on traditional breeding rather than engineered DNA changes, so they’re not necessarily GMOs. Non-modified organisms have not undergone genetic engineering, so they don’t fit the GMO definition.

Genetic modification involves altering an organism’s DNA with engineered changes to introduce new traits. The statement that best captures what a GMO is describes transgenic organisms created for commercial purposes. Transgenic means a gene from another species is inserted into the genome, producing traits not achievable by traditional breeding, and many GMOs are developed specifically for agricultural or industrial use with commercial goals.

Cloning refers to making genetically identical copies of an organism, which can happen with or without genetic modification, so it isn’t the defining feature of GMOs. Hybrids result from crossing species and often rely on traditional breeding rather than engineered DNA changes, so they’re not necessarily GMOs. Non-modified organisms have not undergone genetic engineering, so they don’t fit the GMO definition.