The term GMO or Genetically Modified Organism refers to an individual life form in which the genome is altered or modified through genetic engineering. In other words, the DNA of one organism is modified in the laboratory and then inserted into the genome of another organism with the aim of producing positive traits that would be useful, creating a new organism. This science of genetic manipulation has been used for many different purposes. One major area where it is controversial is agriculture. Specific issues surrounding this technology involve human and environmental safety, as well as ethical and conservation issues. A common example of a GMO plant would be Monsanto's Roundup® Ready corn. One of the methods by which the Monsanto Company genetically modifies this plant is through soil bacteria and E.coli bacteria. After several years of research, Monsanto discovered a specific soil bacterium that was naturally immune to the herbicide Roundup®. The next step in the process was to genetically engineer the DNA of this bacterium into various plants so that they too could be resistant to Roundup® or “Roundup® Ready.” This is important because Roundup® herbicide kills all types of plants, weeds, and crops alike. Engineers cut out the DNA sequence from soil bacteria that is resistant to Roundup®. If this DNA sequence alone is applied to the corn plant, it will have no effect. The next step concerns E.coli bacteria. Gaps are created in the E.coli DNA and when soil bacteria and E.coli are introduced into each other, some of the E.coli DNA recombines with the resistant Roundup® bacteria. Then, the biotechnician sneaks the engineered DNA into the cells of the corn plant he wants to modify. Cells will naturally reject foreign DNA so… middle of paper… Problems with GMOs. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from www.ehow.com: http://www.ehow.com/info_8181702_problems-gmo.htmlFernandez-Cornejo, J. (2011, July 1). Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in the United States Retrieved February 23, 2012, from usda.gov: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/biotechcrops/Goldstein, K., & Emami, G. (2011, May 25) . Huff Post Green. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from www.huffingtonpost.com: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/monsantos-gmo-corn-linked_n_420365.htmlKoons, D. (Editor). (2004). The future of food [Motion Picture].Main, E. (2011, March 28). Concerned consumers are calling for nationwide GMO labeling. Retrieved February 22, 2012, from www.rodale.com: http://www.rodale.com/labeling-gmo-foodsMonsanto Company. (2011). Retrieved February 23, 2012, from www.monsanto.com: http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx