Imgres

The History of GMO's

  • Gregor Mendel

    Gregor Mendel
    Gregor Mendel discovered the gene in 1860. A gene is the standard unit of heredity. He came across this discovery by crossing different breeds of peas.
  • Friedrich Meischer

    Friedrich Meischer
    Meischer proposed the concept of DNA in 1868. His theories were not confirmed until years later, but this was still a monumental step in the history of GMO's.
  • Monsanto

    Monsanto
    Monsanto, one of todays top GMO producing companies, was founded in 1901. Monsanto didn't start producing GMO until years after it was created.
  • Oswald Avery

    Oswald Avery
    Oswald Avery confirmed DNA truely was the carrier of molecular information. His discovery impacted the importance of DNA in organisms.
  • James Watson and Francis Crick

    James Watson and Francis Crick
    James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helix formation of DNA. This discovery gave scientists the ability to alter the genetic structure of organisms.
  • Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer

    Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer
    Cohen and Boyer discovered gene spilcing. This is a technique used to chemically cut and splice strands of DNA.
  • Genentech

    Genentech
    Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer founded Genentech in 1976. Genentech was the first company founded on the alteration of genetics.
  • 1st GMO in the food industry

    1st GMO in the food industry
    Flavr Savr tomatoes showed up on the food stands in America in 1990. These tomatoes were genetically modified to delay in ripening.
  • GMO's enter Europe

    GMO's enter Europe
    In 1996 GMO entered the European food stands. This began the huge controversy over GMO's. Europe did not believe they were safe!
  • TODAY

    TODAY
    Even though GMO's were discouraged in Europe they continued to flourish in the United States. Today the majority of our foods contain GMO's.