Most Common GM Foods

Genetically modified foods are a source of controversy throughout the world. Scientists continually impart the benefits of genetically modified crops as a potential tool to fight world hunger, as well as increase food yields around the world and enhance the nutritional content of many food varieties. Other groups argue that with no testing as to the long term effects on the human body, genetically modified crops should not be widely available. Despite the controversy, several genetically-modified food crops are already quite common on North American farms and in the foods you eat.

Corn

Corn has a wide range of uses beyond food products. As a result, it's grown in vast quantities to fulfill demand and genetically modified to ensure environmental conditions do not jeopardize its yearly output. Corn is one example of a crop that is genetically engineered to resist large amounts of pesticide sprays that otherwise would negatively affect it. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, 80 percent of the corn planted in the U.S. each year is genetically modified.

Soybeans

Soybeans are another example of a cash crop that has been genetically modified to increase its resistance to pesticides and herbicides. In this instance, a gene from a type of bacteria that demonstrates high resistance to herbicides is implanted in the soybean seeds so as to increase soybean resistance to the same herbicides and lower the detrimental affects of the herbicides on soybean yield. Over 90 percent of soybeans grown in the U.S. are from genetically modified seed.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a tender fruit that suffers a lot of damage during transportation from farms to processing centers and store shelves. As a result, a strain of strawberries has been genetically altered to stay fresh for a longer period, increasing its shelf life and decreasing potential for rot on once it arrives in the grocery store. Strawberries have also been genetically tested to grow in cold climates, as well as modified to grow several times larger than their average size when farmed conventionally.

Golden Rice

Rice is a staple of the diet of many Third World countries -- the same countries in which millions of people, especially children, suffer from vitamin A and iron deficiency. Genetically altered rice, which is designed with enhanced vitamin A and iron content, may help combat this problem. Two genes from daffodils and one from bacteria are used to accomplish this. Genetically modified rice crops are mainly found in Asia; their popularity has shown a dramatic increase in the previous several years.