Future of GMOs in Agriculture
                     FUTURE OF GMOS 
IN AGRICULTURE
Introduction
• Many people wonder what impacts GMO crops have on our world. GMO (genetically modified 
organism) is the common term consumers and popular media use to describe a plant, animal, or 
microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that generally 
involves the specific modification of DNA, including the transfer of specific DNA from one 
organism to another
Source: www.fda.gov
Why do farmers use GMO crops?
Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop loss. The three most 
common traits found in GMO crops are:
• Resistance to insect damage
• Tolerance to herbicides
• Resistance to plant viruses
Source: www.fda.gov
How it works?
• For GMO crops that are resistant to insect damage, farmers can apply fewer spray pesticides to 
protect the crops. GMO crops that are tolerant to herbicides help farmers control weeds without 
damaging the crops. 
• When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant crops they do not need to till the soil, which they 
normally do to get rid of weeds. This no-till planting helps to maintain soil health and lower fuel and 
labor use.
Source: www.fda.gov
Example of GMO crop
• The GMO papaya, called the Rainbow papaya, is an example of a GMO crop developed to be resistant 
to a virus. When the ringspot virus threatened the Hawaii papaya industry and the livelihoods of 
Hawaiian papaya farmers, plant scientists developed the ringspot virus-resistant Rainbow papaya. 
Source: www.fda.gov
Do GMOs have impacts beyond the farm?
• The most common GMO crops were developed to address the needs of farmers, but in turn they can 
help foods become more accessible and affordable for consumers. Some GMO crops were developed 
specifically to benefit consumers.
Source: www.fda.gov
Benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms
• Agricultural plants are one of the most frequently cited examples of genetically modified organisms 
(GMOs). 
• Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs for food 
or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, 
resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world's growing 
population. 
Source: www.nature.com
Examples of GMOs Resulting from Agricultural 
Biotechnology
Herbicide tolerance Soybean Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup) tolerance conferred 
by expression of a glyphosate-tolerant form of the 
plant enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate 
synthase (EPSPS) isolated from the soil 
bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, strain CP4
Insect resistance Corn Resistance to insect pests, specifically the European 
corn borer, through expression of the 
insecticidal protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus 
thuringiensis
Altered fatty acid composition Canola High laurate levels achieved by inserting 
the gene for ACP thioesterase from the California 
bay tree Umbellularia californica
Virus resistance Plum Resistance to plum pox virus conferred by insertion 
of a coat protein (CP) gene from the virus
Source: www.nature.com
Potential GMO Applications
• Many industries stand to benefit from additional GMO research. For instance, a number of microorganisms are 
being considered as future clean fuel producers and biodegrades. 
• In addition, genetically modified plants may someday be used to produce recombinant vaccines. In fact, the 
concept of an oral vaccine expressed in plants for direct consumption by individuals is being examined as a 
possible solution to the spread of disease in underdeveloped countries, one that would greatly reduce the 
costs associated with conducting large-scale vaccination campaigns. 
Source: www.nature.com
Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of 
GMOs
• After all, such alterations can change the organism's metabolism, growth rate, and/or response to external 
environmental factors. These consequences influence not only the GMO itself, but also the natural 
environment in which that organism is allowed to proliferate. 
• Potential health risks to humans include the possibility of exposure to new allergens in genetically modified 
foods, as well as the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes to gut flora.
Source: www.nature.com
Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of 
GMOs cont.
• Horizontal gene transfer of pesticide, herbicide, or antibiotic resistance to other organisms would not only put 
humans at risk, but it would also cause ecological imbalances, allowing previously innocuous plants to grow 
uncontrolled, thus promoting the spread of disease among both plants and animals.
Source: www.nature.com