Why Is Corn & Soy a GMO?

GMO stands for "genetically modified organism." GMO foods are genetically modified to meet a certain criteria. For example, some foods are modified in order to resist drought, while others are changed so they become pest-resistant. The U.S. grows 57 percent of the world's GM crops. Soybean and corn are the two most common genetically modified crops.

Pest Control

Corn is genetically modified to contain the protein Cry1Ab. This protein binds to the intestine of certain pest insects, causing them to die when they bite into the plant. Since the insects are killed when trying to consume the corn, there's no need for insecticides to combat those insects. Another type of GM corn protects the corn against rootworm Diabrotica virgifera, a pest that can kill a plant of corn in just a few days.

Resistance to Herbicides

One of the most common reasons soybeans are genetically modified is to resist herbicides. According to XB Yang of the Department of Plant Pathology at Iowa State University, GM soybeans are not affected by herbicides. This means farmers are free to spray their land to kill weeds without worrying about affecting their soybean crops.

Yield Increase

As corn and soybeans become more resistant to pests, fewer plants succumb to disease. For farmers this means an increase in revenue. According to Felicia Wu from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, this is one of the main reasons farmers switch to GM soybeans and corn.

Less Risk of Mycotoxin Contamination

Mycotoxin is produced by fungi when it attacks crops. Corn is particularly susceptible to mycotoxin. Infestation with this toxin, which is not obvious to the naked eye, can be highly toxic. It can also increase the risk of esophageal cancer and neural tube defects in fetuses. GM corn is less likely to be contaminated by mycotoxin because the same changes that kill other pests also kill this toxin.