I ran across this table today on facebook and the instructions that accompanied it were to share, share and share alike so I’m doing my part. Thank you to Ryan Megan for posting it.
First of all, GMOs, or better put – transgenic technology, is one of several techniques known as genetic engineering. Yet only the transgenic type is singled out for labeling and endless vilification – and unfairly so if one takes into account the information represented on this table. The first row of numbers after number of genes affected tells an interesting story that might surprise many. Have a look:
It is just such informational nuggets as this, which along the way, contributed to my transformation from being blindly against GMOs to being not only tolerant of the technology but supportive of it when appropriate.
If I were still on the fence about GMOs or transgenic technology, I’d research each one of the headings that appear beside it in the table above: hybrid, crossing species barriers, polyploids, mutation breeding. (I admit, I don’t know what polyploids are but I will find out.)
There is so much more to genetic engineering than GMOs – even the name. I’ve gathered, mostly through social media, that scientists tire of the term “GMOs” and prefer transgenic.
The study of genetics in general, one of biology’s multitudes of branches, has exploded in recent decades – and will continue to do so. It is an exciting time!
And as has not changed in centuries, there always seems to be fear and mistrust hovering around new discoveries and new technology.
~Julee K/Sleuth4Health
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Note: If I have misrepresented any scientific fact, let me know in the comments. I am all about nothing but the facts, please, and I try my best but sometimes I get it wrong.
