We began transgenics this week, reading and synthesizing information from several articles on GMO's, or Genetically Modified Organisms, mostly crops.
GMO's splice naturally occurring genes from other organisms into plants so that they express a gene similar to a pesticide or herbicide that would have to be sprayed on them. However, the genes selected to splice into the crops often have unintended consequences.
Examples of GMO's include Bt corn, which kills caterpillars that became monarch butterflies; bio luminescent cats; goats modified to lactate spider-silk protein; golden rice enriched with vitamin A to prevent blindness in 3rd world countries; and bacteria growing insulin for diabetes patients.
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