A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has

been altered using genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are the source of genetically modified
foods and are also widely used in scientific research and to produce goods other than food.
In agriculture, currently marketed genetically engineered crops have traits such as
resistance to pests, resistance to herbicides, increased nutritional value, increased yields or ability
to thrive in difficult environments. GM crops in widespread use include corn, soybeans, cotton,
potatoes, and canola. The first GM crops were commercialized by China in the early 1990s, with
the introduction of virus-resistant tobacco and later a virus-resistant tomato.
GM seeds are sold at a higher price than conventional ones but GM crops are expected to
allow for cost-savings through reduced insect and weed control and/or to achieve higher yields.
Another key factor on the receipt side is the market price of GM food. In many profitability
studies, prices of GM and non-GM crops are assumed to be equivalent. Several experts argue
that GM food could potentially help feed 842 million malnourished people globally.

Conclusion:
The potential benefits of using GMOs include environmental improvements from reduced
use of chemical inputs, plants with enhanced health characteristics, and more abundant food
supplies. The potential harm include environmental and food safety hazards, as well as adverse
distributional impacts if the technology were to favor large farmers or multinational
corporations. Some health groups say there are unanswered questions regarding the potential
long-term impact on human health from food derived from GMOs, and propose mandatory
labeling or a moratorium on such products.

Genetski modifikovan organizam (GMO) je svaki organizam iji je genetski materijl

izmenjen korienjem tehnika genetskog inenjeringa. GMO su izvor genetski modifikovane
hrane, a takoe su u irokoj upotrebi u naunim istraivanjima i proizvodnji drugih dobara, osim
hrane.
U poljoprivredi genetski modifikovani usevi moraju imati osobine kao to su otpornost na
tetoine, otpornost na herbicide, poveane nutritivne vrednosti, poveanje prinosa ili sposobnost
da napreduju u tekim uslovima. GM usevi u irokoj upotrebi ukljuuju kukuruz, soju, krompir,
pamuk i uljanu repicu. Prvi GM usevi su komercijalizovani u Kini u ranim 1990-im, sa
uvoenjem duvana otpornog na viruse i kasnije paradajza otpornog na viruse.
GM semena se prodaju po veoj ceni od konvencionalnih, ali se od GM useva oekuje da
omogue smanjenje trokova kroz smanjeno suzbijanje insekata i korova i/ili da ostvare vee
prinose. Drugi kljuni faktor je trina cena useva. U mnogim studijama o profitabilnosti,
pretpostavlja se da su cene GM i ne-GM useva ekvivalentne. Nekoliko naunika tvrdi da bi
genetski modifikovanom hranom moglo da se nahrani 842 miliona neuhranjenih irom sveta.

Zakljuak:
Potencijalne koristi od upotrebe GMO ukljuuju unapreenje ivotne sredine, uz
smanjenu upotrebu hemijskih inputa, biljke sa unapreenim zdravstvenim karakteristikama i
bogatije zalihe hrane. Potencijalna teta ukljuuje opasnost po ivotnu sredinu i bezbednost
hrane, kao i negativni distributivni uticaj ako bi tehnologija favorizovala velike farmere ili
multinacionalne korporacije. Neke zdravstvene grupe kau da postoje pitanja bez odgovora u
vezi sa potencijalnim dugoronim uticajem GMO hrane na zdravlje ljudi, i predlae obavezno
oznaavanje ili moratorijum na takve proizvode .

Clarification of professional terms:

Abundant
Present in great quantity, more than adequate, oversufficient.

Conventional
Used and accepted by most people, usual, normal, standard or traditional.

Genetic engineering techniques

A variety of techniques used to intentionally change the genes in a living cell or organism.

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

Organism (plant, animal or microorganism) whose genetic material has been altered artificially
by the application of gene or cell techniques of modern biotechnology.

Malnourished
Affected by improper nutrition or an insufficient diet.

Mandatory labeling
The requirement of consumer products to state their ingredients or components.

Moratorium on GMO
A ban on the import, manufacture and use of GMOs and GMO products for scientific and
medical purpose.

Pests
A destructive insects or other animals that attack crops, food, livestock, etc.

Resistance
The capacity of an organism to survive exposure to a toxin.

Yields
The full amount of an agricultural or industrial product.

References and further reading:

Nelson G.C. 2001,Genetically modified organisms in agriculture; economics and politics.

Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Millis N. 2006, Genetically modified organisms, paper prepared for the 2006 Australian
State of the Environment Committee, Department of the Environment and Heritage,
Canberra
Catacora-Vargas G. 2011,Genetically modified organisms; a summary of potential adverse
effects relevant to sustainable development, Centre for Biosafety Troms, Norway