1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseDonald TrumpCOP29
Samplings of genetically modified plants growing inside test tubes
Image: CHASSENET/BSIP/picture allianceImage: CHASSENET/BSIP/picture alliance

Genetic engineering (GMO)

Genetic engineering is the direct modification or manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology. The result is a genetically modified organism, or GMO.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

external

Spain's corn battle

Widespread use of GM-maize in parts of Spain is threatening the livelihoods of organic farmers.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 6, 201601:13 min
external

@dwnews: Monsanto-Bayer "evil" says social media

September 16, 201602:13 min
Indien Reisanbau

Bayer-Monsanto deal and India

The merger deal between Bayer and Monsanto has drawn criticism in India and sparked concerns among the nation's farmers.
September 15, 2016
Monsanto protest in Mexico (Photo: picture-alliance/Demotix/I. Duff Cuevas Hernandez)

Bayer-Monsanto merger and the environment

Critics are concerned over what the Bayer-Monsanto merger could mean for food, farmers and the environment.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 15, 2016
Bild-Kombo Bayer Monsanto

Monsanto OKs Bayer bid

Monsanto has reportedly agreed to an improved takeover bid from the German pharmaceuticals maker Bayer.
September 14, 2016
Monsanto

Bayer plans fourth takeover bid for Monsanto

The German chemical giant is planning to increase its offer for a takeover of the US corporation, according to a report.
September 14, 2016
Die Forscherin Emmanuelle Charpentier

The discoverer of "enzyme scissors"

Emmanuelle Charpentier developed so-called "enzyme scissors" for altering DNA simply and precisely.
ScienceAugust 28, 201604:22 min
A lab worker tends to genetically modified plants.

Obama signs bill to force labeling of GMO food

US President Obama has signed into law a requirement that food manufacturers disclose use of GMO organisms in food.
July 30, 2016
Frankreich Genmais der US Firma Monsanto Symbolbild

Monsanto rejects Bayer's newest takeover bid

Monsanto has rejected a second, $3 billion-dollar heavier takeover bid from Germany's Bayer, calling it "insufficient".
July 19, 2016
Deutschland USA Übernahme Monsanto Firmenlogo

Bayer ups its offer for Monsanto

The German pharmaceutical giant has sweetened its deal for buyout target Monsanto, which rejected an earlier attempt.
July 14, 2016
#TTIPleaks in Germany (Picture: Getty Images/AFP/J. MacDougall)

TTIP = genetic engineering?

Greenpeace says leaked papers on the transatlantic free trade agreement reveal threats to the precautionary principle.
May 3, 2016
Monsanto Demonstration ANTI Gen-Soya USA (Picture: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)

GMOs down globally

The cultivation of genetically modified crops has decreased worldwide for the first time in two decades.
April 15, 2016
An embryo under a microscope.

Critics sound alarm over 'designer babies'

Britain gives go-ahead to modify genes of human embryos for research. Critics raise ethical questions over GM babies.
February 1, 2016
An Atlantic salmon

GE fish OK to eat

A type of salmon genetically engineered to grow faster has been deemed fit for consumption in the US.
November 19, 2015
Maize

Two-thirds of EU states to ban GM crop cultivation

The European Commission announces 19 EU member states will be able to ban cultivation of genetically-modified crops.
November 5, 2015
Maiskolben auf Feld

EU states request GMO opt-out

At least 19 EU member states have effectively requested to ban the cultivation of genetically modified organisms.
October 4, 2015
CMO crop

A compromise bound to unravel?

More than half of the EU has announced intentions to ban cultivation of GM crops. How will this play out?
October 2, 2015
Großbritannien Schottland Landschaft mit Bauernhof an der Nordsee bei North Berwick

Scotland to ban GM crops

While widely grown in the Americas and Asia, genetically modified crops are more controversial in Europe.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 9, 2015
Expo Milano - hands holding seeds at the Turkish Pavilion

Expo science chief: Existing crops will improve our health

Expo Milano's scientific chief says it's time to focus on naturally occurring crops - and science can help.
June 5, 2015
Windräder bei Frankfurt/Oder

Living Planet: Thinking big

200 days to the Paris UN Climate Change Summit -- the latest on the EU’s GMO crop controversy, and how the tiny German village of Feldheim became an energy role model.
May 21, 201530:00 min
Symbolbild Genfood Mais Labor

GMO compromise

It’s a controversial topic in Europe, one that EU governments have struggled to reach agreement on. To end the stalemate on GMOs, the EU commission proposed legislation to give individual countries the final say over GMO imports. But the plan has drawn widespread criticism.
May 21, 201506:39 min

EU approves more GMO products

The European Commission has approved the import of 19 controversial genetically modified products.
April 24, 2015
Süßkartoffel Arten Verschiedene Süßkartoffelarten +++EINSCHRÄNKUNG BEACHTEN+++

When GMO comes naturally

New research shows that genetic modification of food occurs naturally: in sweet potatoes. Can that twist the GMO debate?
April 22, 2015

Harvesting controversy with GM crops in India

Monsanto is expected to submit final trial results for its genetically modified corn to India’s lawmakers within a year.
March 13, 2015
Maiskolben auf Feld

Greenpeace: GMO food law has flaws

DW talks to Greenpeace about the European Parliament's new law regarding GM crops.
January 15, 2015
Deutschland Landwirtschaft Getreidefeld

EU passes GMO food law

The European Parliament has voted to give member states authority over cultivating GMO crops.
January 13, 2015
USA Legalisierung von Marihuana 04.11.2014

US voters get say on everything

Washington, DC, and Oregon have voted to legalize pot, but Florida rejected a ballot issue to allow medical marijuana. The herb was just one measure put directly to US voters at the state and local levels.
November 5, 2014
E.coli bacterium surrounded by magnetic particles Photo: Harvard's Wyss Institute

Blood-cleansing magnets

A blood-cleansing device could help treat life-threatening diseases like sepsis and Ebola.
September 17, 2014
Tomaten

Is bacterial transformation the answer to GMO's?

Danish scientists believe they’re close to producing a natural alternative to genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.They’re using a system called bacterial transformation to improve the quality of a potted plant. And they’ve just started applying it to tomatoes and potatoes to determine whether it can boost food production. From Denmark Malcolm Brabant reports.
September 4, 201402:28 min
Bildergalerie Überschwemmungen in Indien und Nepal

Living Planet: Adapting to climate change

Christchurch rebuilds itself "climate-proof"--- the Dutch design eco-friendly dikes in the flood-prone Netherlands --- Danish scientists trial new ways to boost food production --- and the mysterious bird fatalities at a solar power plant in the Mojave Desert. Producer & presenter: Charlotta Lomas Studio director: Eliane Guilarducci Studio technician: Erhardt Bürger
September 4, 201429:59 min

Bacterial transformation: GMO’s nemesis?

In Denmark, scientists believe they’re close to producing a natural alternative to genetically modified organisms. Using a system called bacterial transformation to improve the quality of potted plants, scientists have started applying it to tomatoes and potatoes to determine whether it can also boost food production.
September 4, 201402:26 min
19.08.2014 Made in Germany Boehnke

TTIP - Debate: European Goals and Fears

What hopes and fears do the European nations have when it comes to the free trade agreement with the US? We talk to Olaf Böhnke, Head of the Berlin Office of the European Council on Foreign Affairs, a pan-European think tank, about genetically modified crops, arbitration, and European sensibilities.
BusinessAugust 19, 201404:50 min
wheat kernels and logo

US-EU food trade rules in play

The rules governing food imports are up for grabs in US-EU free trade negotiations. The US wants Europe to base its assessment of genetically-modified crops and hormone-treated meats on 'sound science'.
June 19, 2014

EU states can grow GM

EU member states have agreed that they should make their own national decisions about whether to approve genetically modified foods. Previously, states were required in most cases to implement decisions made by Brussels.
June 12, 2014

No to Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is banned in Überlingen by Lake Constance. The town in Baden-Württemberg, a state ruled by a coalition of the Green party and the Social Democrats, is now in the vanguard of the movement to make Germany a genetic-engineering-free zone.
ScienceMay 1, 201404:28 min
An archive photo of Greenpeace activists in a cornfield, taken July 2006 (Photo: Heiko Meyer)

Five fears about GM corn

Genetically modified corn stirs up emotional debates. Are the worries warranted?
April 14, 2014
Maize (photo: AP Photo/Sven Kaestner)

GMO crops 'not wanted'

A genetically modified crop was authorized despite 19 of 28 EU states voting against it.
February 12, 2014
GM corn

EU allows corn called TC1507

EU ministers have allowed the controversial cultivation of a new genetically modified crop, TC1507 corn from the US firm DuPont Pioneer. Opponents failed to muster enough support against the move.
February 11, 2014
Golden Rice (left) and white rice (photo: picture alliance)

Golden Rice controversy

A genetically modified variety of rice designed to stop vitamin A deficiency causes a stir.
January 30, 2014
Farming corn in Africa

Hungry world

Industry and non-profits are divided over how food production can keep pace with population growth.
January 20, 2014
A soybean field Copyright: Ubaldo Gonzalez/yb

Pesticide sickness

An anti-pesticide activist calls for a ban on Monsanto products in Argentina as cancer rates soar.
October 25, 2013
Frank Ewert, Professor for Crop Science at the University of Bonn in July 2013

Greener crops

German crop expert Frank Ewert says Europe is turning towards more eco-friendly farming.
July 31, 2013

Monsanto to stop GMOs in EU

US seed producer Monsanto has said it would withdraw all new requests to grow genetically modified crops in the EU. The move reflects its frustration over ongoing resistance to GM crops among populations in Europe.
July 18, 2013
EU and US flags (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

EU-US trade talks

EU-US trade talks are marred by major cultural and social differences.
July 11, 2013
(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Trans-Atlantic trade

Civil society groups have four key concerns in the trans-Atlantic trade talks.
July 8, 2013
A woman holds up a poster during a protest against U.S.-based Monsanto REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Wary of GMOs

All over the world, protesters have been rallying against genetically modified food.
May 28, 2013
A dengue mosquito

Dengue vaccine

Scientists in New Delhi are claiming progress in their search for a dengue vaccine.
February 14, 2013

Food fight

On November 6, California will vote whether genetically modified food should be labeled.
October 16, 2012

Dengue fever

Brazil is using genetic engineering to fight the tropical disease.
August 5, 2012
A plant researcher works with a specimen in a laboratory

Easing regulations?

Germany's agriculture minister wants to keep zero tolerance on genetically modified foods.
June 13, 2012