What are GMOs and what are the health risks

GMOs: what they are, meaning, definition and pros and cons of genetically modified foods.

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism created in the laboratory by altering its DNA. This alteration can be done in order to make it resistant to herbicides or pests, or to improve its production. The debate on GMOs has been open for years now: are they good or bad for your health? The answer is not easy to give even divides the experts. But here's everything we should know about genetically modified foods before choosing to consume them.

GMOs: what they are and what they mean

Genetically modified organisms are plants, animals or microorganisms that have been modified in a laboratory to have certain characteristics. This often to make them resistant to herbicides or give them a longer life. These are organisms that have existed for some time, since the 1990s. And although they have been researched for years, there is still a lot of misleading information about them. So let's take a closer look at them to understand what they are.

First of all, it is good to explain that there are different types of genetically modified organisms. The most common are crops, such as corn and soy, which are modified to resist pesticides or disease . But there are also those used in medical treatments , such as insulin.

Pros and cons of GMOs

There are several benefits of producing GMO foods. For example, reducing the need for pesticides, increasing crop yields, improving their nutritional value, creating crops resistant to pests and diseases, accelerating their ripening , improving their taste and texture.

Obviously, however, the advantages are offset by the inevitable disadvantages. Genetically modified organisms can cause allergies or health problems, but at the moment, it must be said, there is no evidence that they are harmful to humans or the environment.

How to recognize genetically modified products

While many people worry about genetically modified organisms in their meals, many don't know how to recognize them. Here are some tips to be able to do it. The simplest way is to check for the presence of “organic” or “non-GMO” labels .

The second way is to check the ingredients . GMOs are usually listed as "genetically modified" or "modified". If you are unsure whether or not there are modified organisms in your meal, you can always contact the manufacturer.