What are the differences between genetically modified and transgenic organisms?
The terms genetically modified organisms and transgenic are not synonymous. understand the differences
Couleur image by Pixabay
It is very common to hear about genetically modified organisms, GMOs, and transgenics, mainly due to the great controversy that these subjects generate. Do they harm humans? Do they present risks to biodiversity? These issues are debated around the world and resonate in the media. But know that genetically modified and transgenic organisms are not the same thing. Understand the difference between the two types of genetic manipulation.
- What are transgenic foods?
Genetically modified organisms ( GMO ) are biological beings (seeds, plants, insects, animals) that have undergone some artificial change in their genetic material (DNA). If the change was only structural or in the function of the organism's own genetic material without having introduced new genetic material of a different species, then this organism is considered a GMO.
When genetic material from a different species is introduced into another, the organisms become, in addition to being genetically modified, transgenic. Another way to understand what transgenics are is the following: a transgene (the process by which a transgenic organism is created) under no circumstances would it occur naturally, without the use of techniques developed by genetic engineering.
On the other hand, non-transgenic GMOs could exist naturally, according to the process proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace to explain the adaptation and specialization of living beings, evolution - the difference is that, naturally, the process would take a long time. Never forget that all transgenics are also genetically modified organisms, but not every GMO is a transgenic organism.
