GMOWhat is a GMO?A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a virus, bacterium, or more complex life form in which the DNA has been altered for a particular purpose. Some of these purposes include: research into the nature of genes and biological processes, the production of animal proteins, the correction of genetic defects, and the improvement of animals and plants (Natural Environment Research Council). Making improvements to animals and plants is one of the main motivations for producing GMOs. With the world's population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, a viable option for livelihood production is needed. With this ever-growing world population it is necessary to somehow control the amount of people born. China is one country that has faced the problem of overcrowding, but it seems that many other countries around the world are not doing much, if anything, to control their populations. Because of this lack of action in controlling the world's population, the need shifts to how we will provide for all those people. GMOs are a way that we, as the world's population, can better provide for ourselves so that everyone has enough supplies to survive. How is a GMO created? GMOs have been created naturally for millions of years. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is an example of a natural genetic engineer because it is capable of altering another organism's DNA to its own advantage. This species of soil-dwelling bacteria infects plant cells with a piece of its own DNA, and when it integrates with the plant's chromosome, it uses the plant's cells to proliferate the bacterial population. The way the bacterium does this is through the use of its bacterial chromosome and a plasmid, which is... half of the article... info/articles/myths.htmlMurphy, Paul. (2004, May) The Gene Company is a pioneer in desert farming. Retrieved October 23, 2004, from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,1221662,00.htmlNatural Environment Research Council (n.d.). GMOs and the environment: scientific certainties and uncertainties. Retrieved October 3, 2004, from: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/publications/gmo/Read, Deborah. (2000, December) Use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in genetically modified organisms. Retrieved October 24, 2004, from: http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/resources/Publications/pdfs/ER-GI-01-1.pdfShelton, Anthony M. (2000, March) Bt Crops on Trial. Retrieved October 24, 2004, from: http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/gmo/pr-bt-crops-on-trial.htmUNFPA. (2004) Population growth is still a problem. Retrieved November 25, 2004, from: http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2004/english/ch1/page7.htm#1