MaryAnn Lee's CU

Genetic modifications are known by many different names including gene splicing, transgenics, DNA manipulation, recombinant DNA, and genetic engineering. These terms refer to the process of isolating genes of a known function from one organism, and then transferring a copy of that gene to a new host to introduce a desirable trait. In particular, genetically modified (GM) crops have been engineered to contain traits from unrelated organisms that enable plants to be resistant to pests, cold temperatures, drought, and disease. Most GM crops are grown in North America, but large areas of cultivation are found in Argentina, Australia, China, France, Mexico, and South Africa. There are currently more than 92 GM crop varieties being grown including new varieties of cotton, corn, rice, soybean, and potatoes.