Good gmos

History of GMOs & GMO Policies Worldwide

By group13
  • first recombinant DNA organism created

    first recombinant DNA organism created

    Biochemist Herbert Boyer and geneticist Stanley Cohen combine their research to create the first successful recombinant DNA organism, an E. coli bacterial cell that expressed the gene for frog ribosomal DNA.
    (source, source)
  • first GM animal created

    first GM animal created

    Biologist Rudolf Jaenisch creates the first genetically modified animal, a transgenic mouse, by introducing foreign DNA into its embryo. (source)
  • FDA aproves first genetically engineered drug

    FDA aproves first genetically engineered drug

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the first genetically engineered drug Humulin, a form of human insulin produced by recombinant E. coli bacteria. Prior to the development of synthesized human insulin, patients were dependent on animal insulin, which was more costly, less accessible, and sometimes caused infection. Humulin is identical in chemical structure to human insulin. (source, source)
  • first transgenic plant

    first transgenic plant

    The first transgenic plant, a tobacco plant resistant to antibiotics, is created at Washington University in Missouri. (source, source)
  • first GM plant field tests conducted

    first GM plant field tests conducted

    The first field tests of genetically engineered (tobacco) plants are conducted in Belgium. (source)
  • first GM crop field tests conducted

    first GM crop field tests conducted

    The first field tests of genetically engineered (tobacco and tomato) crops are conducted in the United States. (source)
  • first GM food approved for commercial production

    first GM food approved for commercial production

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture approves the Flavr Savr tomato, intended to be resistant to softening and consequent rotting, as the first genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. Production ceased in 1997 due to poor crop turnaround and mounting costs. (source, source)
  • FDA declares GM foods not to be specially regulated

    FDA declares GM foods not to be specially regulated

    The FDA declares that genetically engineered foods are “not inherently dangerous” and do not require special safety testing or specific regulation, because they are alike and more aligned with the category of “whole foods”, which the FDA does not oversee, rather than “food products.” (source, source)
  • EU approves first GM crop for use

    EU approves first GM crop for use

    The European Union’s first genetically engineered crop, tobacco, is approved for use in France. (source)
  • Period: to

    EU's unofficial moratorium on GMOs

    The EU imposes an unofficial ban on GMO-based products, refusing to engage in experimental or commercial growth of new gene crops and to import GM food products. The World Trade Organization is currently due to rule if this unofficial ban restricted trade. (source)
  • several countries pass laws requiring GM food labels

    several countries pass laws requiring GM food labels

    Australia, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, and Russia pass laws requiring labels for GM foods. (source)
  • EU requires GM food labeling

    EU requires GM food labeling

    The EU adopts regulation that even additives and flavoring must be specifically labeled if DNA or protein of GMO origin is present in the final product. (source)
  • FDA mandates GM food labeling is voluntary

    FDA mandates GM food labeling is voluntary

    The FDA announces that the labeling of GM foods would remain voluntary, but also publishes guidelines for companies that wished to label their products as free of GM products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also promises to develop standardized tests for GM foods.
    (source,source)
  • more countries pass laws requiring GM food labels

    more countries pass laws requiring GM food labels

    Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan follow suit and also pass laws requiring special labels for GM foods. (source)
  • first genetically modified fish commercially sold

    first genetically modified fish commercially sold

    GloFish, a GM fluorescent fish first developed in 1999, is introduce to the U.S. market after being available in Taiwan earlier in 2003. Since their introduction, there have been no reports of any ecological concerns associated with their sale, though they are illegal in California due to a regulation that bans all genetically modified fish. They are also banned in Canada and within the EU. (source)