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FACTSHEET: Genetic Engineering

Publication - November 12, 2010
Genetic engineering in our food and environment is unnecessary, unpredictable and poses serious threats to ecosystems and risks to our health.

What is genetic engineering? Genetic engineering (GE) is when genes from plants, animals or bacteria are inserted into plants or animals in a laboratory to create new organisms that would not occur naturally. Using GE, genes from bacteria, viruses, plants and animals have been inserted into soya beans, canola, corn and cotton. These “genetically modified organisms” or “GMOs” are now being used in the food we buy.