Question

What do you mean by GM organism? Mention any three advantages of GM organisms.

Answer 1

GMO stands for genetically modified organism whose genetic identity is altered and redefined using genetic engineering techniques. It is used in the field of farming, animal breeding etc.

Complete answer:
A GMO (genetically modified organism) is a result of a laboratory process where the genes from one species are extracted and are artificially inserted into the gene of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes come from either bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or humans.
In GMO there is either the introduction of new genes or alteration of the gene or excluding the gene itself for the development of new organisms. Genetic engineering includes techniques like cloning, artificial insemination or gene manipulation etc.
The genetically modified organism becomes the model for the study and function of genes and it has a wide application in knowing the gene responsible for disease. The most common genetically modified foods and Medicines are:
Food: Golden rice, canola, and aspartame
Medicines: Insulin, hormones

Advantages of GM organisms are:

1. Genetic modelling is done in animals so that the availability of animals can be there for human consumption to meet the demand of a growing population. As in plants, some crops are available once a year so to meet the demand for human consumption crops are genetically modified to make it available throughout. In animals like growth hormones are injected in chicken to meet the demand of the growing population. 2) GMO crops are engineered to produce higher yield than the normal cropland, as the yield is doubled from the traditional one. It provides better health benefits with multiple vitamins, minerals to complete nutritional profile.
2. GMO crops are more resistant to pests, weeds and other threats so less pesticides and herbicides are applied to crops by farmers which save their money and reduce the health hazards.

Note: Genetic engineering is the introduction of a set or a set of genes from one organism to the genome of another organism. Through genetic engineering insect resistant crops can be produced like Bt Cotton. The gene of the Bacillus thuringiensis which code for this insecticidal toxic protein is introduced into cotton plants so that any insect that attempts to eat is killed.