GMO 101: What you need to know about genetically modified foods

GMO 101: What you need to know about genetically modified foods: "(ARA) - If you've ever eaten canned soup, sipped soda or chewed sugarless gum, chances are you've eaten something that's been genetically modified, also called GMO. Even when you cook at home, GMOs are in the ingredients we use. It's hard to believe, but GMOs are in almost everything we eat - according to the Grocery Manufacturer's Association, 80 percent of our processed food is genetically modified, unless it is certified organic.

Just what does this mean? Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology. This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be snipped and inserted into another species in a laboratory to create specific characteristics and new species that do not occur in nature. You may have heard them referred to as 'frankenfoods' for this reason. For instance, a plant can be engineered to become resistant to a pesticide, or even contain its own pesticides within the plant cells, so that the fields can be sprayed with the chemical and the crops will not die along with weeds."