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Genetically Modified Organisms

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Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are scientifically altered organisms to use only desirable traits. These organisms are often used in the Agriculture industry. Many products are affected by GMOs, but the main ones are food products. This includes livestock, livestock by products, and livestock feed. These are often modified to produce higher quality and increase productivity. Genetically Modified Organisms were introduced into the food supply in the mid 1990s. They started out in only fish species, but slowly were used in other food animals. GMOs are made by inserting certain DNA genes of an animal or plant into another type. GMO based products have been found to qualify as normal food, but many people are hesitant to the thought of engineered food products. Livestock can be genetically modified in many different ways. Animal Husbandry is the ability to only breed positive characteristics of a species. Inbreeding is a genetic strategy of breeding only closely related animals, hoping to receive only superior genetic qualities in their offspring. Cloning is used to make copies of those genetically superior offspring; technically this isn’t considered a GMO(Carrington). GMOs are also used to produce certain strains of genes for research. Many studies show that some strains of DNA can be used to produce antibodies for many disorders and illnesses. Many dairies use GMOs to create pharmaceuticals in the milk their cows produce(Gale). However, these cows can not be used for food products, only for their milk. These animals are not considered GMOs, but their by products are seen as genetically modified. In one study, a herd of cattle were injected with a GMO to produce an antibody to fight the Ebola Virus, the antibody created was named Zmapp. Another case created an antibody against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). GMOs also affect livestock through what they consume. Many feeds are filled with genetically modified ingredie

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