The term GMO or genetically modified organism refers to an individual life form in which the genome is modified or modified by genetic engineering. In other words, the DNA of one organism is modified in the laboratory and then inserted into the genome of another organism with the aim of producing positive traits that would be useful, thereby creating a new organism. This science of genetic manipulation has been used for many different purposes. One important area in which it is controversial is agriculture. Specific issues regarding this technology relate to human and environmental safety as well as ethical and conservation concerns. A common example of a GMO plant would be Monsanto’s Roundup® Ready corn. One of the methods used by the Monsanto company to genetically modify this plant is to use soil bacteria and E.coli bacteria. After several years of research, Monsanto discovered a specific soil bacteria that is naturally immune to the herbicide Roundup®. The next step in their process was to genetically modify the DNA of this bacteria in various plants so that they too could be resistant to Roundup® or “Roundup® Ready”. This is important because Roundup® herbicide kills all types of plants, weeds and crops. Engineers have cut out the DNA sequence of soil bacteria that are resistant to Roundup®. If this DNA sequence alone is applied to the corn plant, it will have no effect. The next step involves the E.coli bacteria. Gaps are created in the E.coli DNA and when soil bacteria and E.coli are introduced into each other, some of the E.coli DNA recombines with the Roundup-resistant bacteria ®. Next, the biotechnician smuggles the modified DNA into the cells of the corn plant he wants to modify. Cells will naturally reject foreign DNA, so...... middle of paper ...... Problems with GMOs. Retrieved February 23, 2012 from www.ehow.com: http://www.ehow.com/info_8181702_problems-gmo.html Fernandez-Cornejo, J. (July 1, 2011). Adoption of genetically modified crops in the United States. Accessed February 23, 2012 from usda.gov: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/biotechcrops/Goldstein, K. and Emami, G. (May 25, 2011). ). Huff Post Green. Retrieved February 23, 2012 from www.huffingtonpost.com: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.htmlKoons, D. (Director). (2004). The Future of Food [Motion Picture]. Main, E. (March 28, 2011). “Concerned Consumers Nationwide Demand GMO Labeling.” Accessed February 22, 2012 from www.rodale.com: http://www.rodale.com/labeling-gmo-foodsMonsanto Company. (2011). Accessed February 23, 2012 from www.monsanto.com: http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx