All one has to do these days to appreciate the extreme controversy
             surrounding the topic of "Genetically Modified" or "GM" foods is to pick up
             a random food item at any grocery storeâ€"it doesn't even have to be one of
             those hippie-dive health food outletsâ€"and note its proud declarationâ€""Does
             not contain genetically modified ingredients." Indeed, one would imagine
             upon reading such a statement that genetically modified foods are right up
             there with saccharin, nicotine or even fiber-rich asbestos for all the
             effort and expense employed in such labeling. However, although there are
             some criticisms of the technology, as well as stridently presented
             benefits, the fact remains that little is known about the possible good or
             In simple terms, genetic modification involves a technology designed
             to alter the genetic "code" or makeup of an organismâ€"be it an animal, a
             plant, or even a bacteria. The way this is done is by something called
             "recumbent DNA technology," in which genes from different organisms are
             combined to form an organism based on the sum of the genes. When such an
             organism is produced, it is termed to be "genetically modified" or
             For many unfamiliar with the subject, the first question is often
             just why GM products are produced. One of the most important answers is
             the process of locating selected genes with specifically useful traits.
             For example, certain genetic traits help plants resist insects in the
             field, while still others produce valuable nutrients that can be later
             consumed by humans or animals that can benefit from them.
             Although most people are largely unaware of the prevalence of GM
             work, commercial applications of GM crops exist in more than forty
             countries world wide. Of these, soybeans, cotton, corn and canola are
             grown for their resistance to disease and insect damage. Another common
             application is the production of rice...