What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are specifically defined as organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This process involves the direct manipulation of an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits, such as resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, or enhanced growth rates. The essential aspect of GMOs is that the modifications are made through advanced biotechnological methods, which can include techniques like CRISPR, gene cloning, or recombinant DNA technology, allowing for precise changes at the molecular level.

The option that states organisms bred for specific characteristics refers to traditional breeding methods, which rely on selective breeding rather than genetic engineering. This is an important distinction, as GMOs are created through modern, scientific methodologies that differ significantly from conventional agriculture practices.

The description of plants cultivated without pesticides does not pertain to the definition of GMOs, as the absence of pesticides does not automatically imply that a plant has undergone genetic modification. Moreover, animals genetically modified for biological studies can be a type of GMO, but this is too narrow a definition, as GMOs encompass a wider array of organisms altered for various purposes, not just for research. Thus, the most accurate definition encompasses the broader scope of genetic alteration through engineered means.