Genetically modified food
foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA
Genetically modified foods (GM foods), also known as genetically engineered foods (GE foods), or bioengineered foods are foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA using various methods of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering techniques allow for the introduction of new traits as well as greater control (molecular-level insertion with greater predictability and speed) over traits when compared to previous methods, such as selective breeding and mutation breeding.
The discovery of DNA and the improvement of genetic technology in the 20th century played a crucial role in the development of transgenic technology. In 1988, genetically modified microbial enzymes were first approved for use in food manufacture. Recombinant rennet was used in several countries in the 1990s. Commercial sale of genetically modified foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its later-withdrawn Flavr Savr delayed-ripening tomato. Most food modifications have primarily focused on cash crops in high demand by farmers such as soybean, maize/corn, canola, and cotton. Genetically modified crops have been engineered for resistance to pathogens and herbicides and for better nutrient profiles. The production of golden rice in 2000 represented the first genetically modified crop developed primarily to enhance nutritional value. GM livestock have been developed, although, as of 2015, none were on the market.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Genetically modified food” is foods produced from organisms that have had changes introduced into their DNA. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Genetically, modified and food, not as a finished interpretation.
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The citation trail is more important than the brevity of the summary: it shows where individual claims can be examined in context. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 17, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q394222. The Library of Congress control number is sh00006274. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2015.
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This entry incorporates text from “Genetically modified food” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.