It’s practically impossible to define “GMOs” – Nathanael Johnson (Grist)

“Debates rage over what to do about genetically modified organisms, but we rarely stop to ask a more basic question: Do GMOs really exist? It’s an important question, because no one in this debate can tell you precisely what a GMO is. I’ve come to the conclusion that “GMO” is a cultural construct. It’s a metaphor we use to talk about a set of ideas. It doesn’t map neatly onto any clear category in the physical world.”

A useful examination of what “GMO” means, with examples and counterexamples. Suitable for class discussions.

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