Why make GMOs?

What are GMOs used for? What impact will they have on your life? See for yourself - explore the different applications of transgenesis.

		Agriculture - Agricultural products with a higher yield that are also insect- and herbicide-resistant. Fruits and vegetables that grow in dry environments and are cold resistant. But what if insects developed immunity to pesticides?
		Food Production - Tomatoes that do not rot. Salmon that fatten up quickly. Pigs with less fat and better nutritional value. But what if transgenic salmon escaped into the ocean?


•	Genetic disorders
•	Cloning and stem cells
•	Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
•	DNA detectives

In this section:

		Forestry - Fast-growing trees whose ligneous fibre is of higher quality, less difficult to process, and resistant to harmful insects, illnesses and environmental stresses. But what if original tree species ceased to exist?
		Health - Rice enriched with vitamin A. Bananas as vaccines. Sheep whose milk contains insulin. Alfalfa that produces hemoglobin. But what if these medications had unsuspected side effects?
		Environment - Fish that detect pollutants in the water. Plants that create biodegradable plastics. PCB-decomposing bacteria. Sugar beets that produce gas. But would you still need GMOs if you stopped polluting?
		Basic Research - Mice with human diseases to test vaccines and medications. Fruit flies to study the structure and function of genes. Fluorescent fish to understand human development. But what if you could modify human beings?

Find out more about GMOs.

Scientists report they have inserted a genetically modified virus into spinach cells. This virus produces a key component of what they think is a safer anthrax vaccine.

Do you agree with transgenic plants and animals being used to produce medication?

	Yes No
	View Results

The Science Behind GMOs < Previous

Next > DNA Detectives

Last Update: 2008-08-11 © nature.ca Important Notices
A Canadian Museum of Nature Web site, developed in cooperation with its partners.

Image credits: 1) Global Star Software, 1999; 2) Corel Corporation; 3) © Donna Naughton; 4) Corel Corporation; 5) Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; 6) © PPL Therapeutics; 7) The Geee! in Genome.