GMO

GMO is the abbreviation for genetically modified organisms: organisms whose DNA has been altered through genetic engineering to enhance their properties or confer new properties. In food contexts it labels ingredients from engineered crops such as Bt maize and herbicide-tolerant soy, triggering labelling requirements in many countries. The three letters have become shorthand for one of the most polarised debates in modern food policy, covering farm benefits, environmental questions and consumer choice. Regulatory systems define which products count as GMOs and how they must be assessed and labelled.