What is GMO and What Does It Mean for My Animals?

Oh my gosh! If you have done any research into feeding your poultry, you have more than likely run across the terms GMO and non-GMO. The more you read, the more confusing it seems to get. On the surface, you kind of come to understand that GMO is bad and non-GMO is good. But really, what is GMO, what does it mean to our farm and farm animals, and how do we know what we are getting?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GMO is the common term used to describe plants and animals or microbes in which DNA has been modified to include some desirable traits or exclude less desirable traits. This might be done by adding new genes, modifying pre-existing ones, or even removing some. It is believed that genetic modifications in agriculture have been going on since man first started farming. These modifications were accomplished through selective breeding, resulting in crops and animals that were more suited to specific terrains, environments, and weather conditions. Today however, GMO refers more to genetic modifications that have been made in a laboratory using genetic engineering and transgenic technology, adding genes, removing genes, or replacing genes. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not naturally occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding or selective breeding methods.

The FDA, in their Timeline of Genetic Modifications, credits the development of genetic engineering in 1973 to two scientists who successfully figured out how to remove a gene from one organism and put it into another. The first genetically engineered crop was introduced in the US in 1994. It was the Flavr Savr tomato, modified to delay ripening. GMO seeds first became commercially available in the US in 1996. As of 2020, 94% of all soybean crops and 92% of all corn crops grown in the US were GMO. Today, there are a lot of human-grade foods that are GMO or contain GMO ingredients, but the majority of the GMO products that are grown in the United States are used in animal feed. It is believed that 95% of all animals used commercially for meat or dairy in the United States eat GMO food products.

It appears that there is a lot of controversy related to not only the use of GMO products but also the process of genetically altering organisms. Some feel that it is just not right to mess with Mother Nature in this way. Some religious and cultural communities are opposed to eating GMO food products, believing that this is an unnatural way of producing foods. Of course, genetic engineering of foods is fairly new, and although short-term testing has proven favorable in most cases, there is concern regarding the long-term effects of genetically modifying foods. After all, we have just recently begun to understand the harmful effects of microplastics, and plastic has been on the scene for a lot longer than GMOs.

It does appear that there are many positive outcomes resulting from genetic engineering, such as increased production of agricultural products as well as increased nutritional value. The results of engineered modifications can be realized in a shorter span of time compared to selective or crossbreeding methods. GMOs can also be good for the environment as crops can be engineered to require less watering or be made more resistant to pests, requiring the use of less pesticides. These crop improvements have the possibility of resulting in decreased consumer costs. GMOs have been used in livestock to eliminate characteristics that can be harmful if consumed by people with specific medical issues, and GMO was actually used when creating the first human insulin, a drug used to treat diabetes.

There is also a downside to instituting GMO processes. There is concern that cross-pollination with GMO plant species could have negative effects on native plants and pests. Genetic engineering could result in the evolution of super-pests and/or super-weeds or allow a once minor species of either pests or weeds to then become dominant. It is thought that some food products could become more allergenic due to genetic engineering, especially those food products which are known to be at a higher risk for allergic reactions, ie, peanuts and wheat. There are also concerns that the increased use of GMO products seems to correlate with an increase in some health issues in both people and livestock.

‘Smart Labels’ seem to be the new thing. To find out if a product is GMO or Non-GMO,
you need to scan a QR code that is on the back of the product’s packaging. In some
cases, you will also need to click on the ‘view certifications’ symbol.

Previously, in the United States, producers and sellers of GMO products were not required to label products as genetically modified. Due to the increase in GMO production, new processes, and public concern, the government is now requiring that GMO products intended for human consumption, as well as products that contain more than 5% bioengineered ingredients, be labeled. There is the belief that consumers have a right to know what food products they are eating. Of course, there are always the exclusions, and current labeling is limited to merely informing the consumer that a product is genetically modified but does not specify how it was modified or for what purpose. I could not find any information regarding the required labeling of animal feed, but a source involved with regulatory compliance of food sources informed me that there is legislation in the works to require labeling, but is not in place as of yet.

So, what does all of this mean for you and your farm? Chances are you have either worn, eaten, fed, or planted a GMO product, with or without knowing it. Your job as a small farmer is to decide your feelings regarding the use of GMO products for you, your family, and your animals. If you are opposed to GMO food sources for your animals, you can opt for organically grown products. In order to be classified as organic, food products can NOT have been genetically modified or contain any genetically modified ingredients. As well, organic animals cannot have eaten any GMO products. If you have the garden space, you can grow your own food for your animals, or at least a portion of it. GMO seeds appear to be available only to commercial farms. According to the FDA, seeds for the backyard gardener are not being genetically modified mainly due to cost factors. Many non-GMO proponents mention Monsanto seeds, which are 2nd generation-sterile. Reportedly, Monsanto has the patent to this sterilization technology, but claims not to use it. If you are concerned about the possibility of GMO seeds, use an heirloom variety. All heirloom seeds are non-GMO. Another option is feeding your animals food substitutes. We know that corn and soybeans are mainly GMO crops, so substitute foods like wheat, rice, barley, oats, lentils, peas, and sunflower seeds into your animal’s feed. Discover what your animals like and what meets their specific nutritional needs, then go for it!

Whether you go GMO or non-GMO is up to you; it’s a personal choice. There is no solid right or wrong answer at this time. I don’t believe genetic modification will be going away any time soon, but more likely expanding and being refined. Weighing the pros and cons of GMO processes will help you decide what is right for your farm and your animals, and that is what’s important: deciding what works and is right for YOU!