Genetically modified foods, also known as biotech foods, are ones that are grown from genetically modified organisms, or crops. Specific changes have been made to the DNA of these crops by genetic engineering techniques that encourage extra nutrients to be produced, faster growth, an ability to resist diseases and other purposes. Plant products are often the main group of modified foods, such as cotton seed oil, canola, corn and soybeans.

Typical Genetically Modified Foods

Almost every area in the food production market is using genetic modification to produce foods that taste better, grow faster, resist disease and improve the amount of nutrients found in the food. At times, the genetic modification helps to save natural resources because the “new” food does not need as much water or energy to be processed. Many crops, dairy farmers and meat producers have been genetically altered. Check the typical genetically modified food list to see if you have known that. 

Corn

Corn in many areas of the country has been altered to include an insect killing gene. Because the corn has this, farmers do not have to spray pesticides that can be harmful to the environment and those farm workers who spray it. Most American families are eating corn that has been genetically altered.

Soybean

Soy is used in the production of many items that we use every day, such as cereal, chocolate, ice cream and baked goods. Because 85% of soybeans are altered, nearly everyone is consuming altered soybeans in some way. Most soybeans are used for livestock and not for humans.

Sugar Beets

On the genetically modified food list, the sugar beet develops recently. Production of a modified beet began in 2008, but was banned in 2010 because the USDA failed to provide an environmental impact statement. Beets usually grow very slowly so the modification was made to encourage faster growth.

Potatoes

Genetically modified potatoes were created to be very resistant to diseases, such as Phytophthora Infestans, that can spread quickly and kill entire fields of potatoes. A disease like this caused the potato famine in the 1840s. Only 25% of the potatoes grow today are eaten by people. The other 75% is used in feeding livestock and in the starch industry. Scientists want to use the potato more in the glue and lubricant industry so they are trying to develop a potato that is even more modified that cannot be eaten by people.

Tomatoes

The first food to reach American markets that had been genetically modified was tomatoes. Many changes have been made since those first tomatoes were raised and now tomatoes are modified only to help them last longer so they can be transported for longer periods of time.

Squash

On the genetically modified food list, squash were modified because they are especially susceptible to some viral diseases. The altered squash were more disease resistant, but beetles who love to eat squash carry bacterial wilt disease. The squash are less resistant to this disease. Scientists are also concerned that the altered squash may be growing wild in some areas and not in controlled fields. If squash grow wild, this could cause serious environments issues.

Oils

Oils are used for more than cooking and flavoring. They are also an ingredient in many foods we consume. Modified oils can be sold as cooking oils, but are also used for making snacks such as potato chips. Margarine is also made by using oil. Modifications include oils losing the bitter taste they once had and making the plants more resistant to herbicides.

Golden Rice

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious problem for over 250 million people around the world. It may cause blindness or death for those affected with it. Because nearly half of the population of the world lives on one bowl of rice each day, rice was chosen to be genetically altered to have vitamin A supplements added to it. This new rice is called golden rice. Experts also want to create rice with an iron supplement to combat the iron deficiencies many people have. Rice cannot be altered to have both an iron and a vitamin A supplement together, but it may happen sometime in the future.

Salmon

Salmon that has been genetically altered may be available for purchase soon. These fish will be grown only on fish farms and will be nearly twice the size of unaltered salmon. They will also grow faster. Experts say this will help the environment and protect the wild salmon. A big concern is that, although these salmon should be sterile, nature will find a way to mutate the DNA so that these altered salmon can have babies.

Genetically Modified Food List