“Civilization is based on the ability of people to modify plants to make them more suitable as food, feed, and fiber plants, and all of these modifications are genetic” (American Association 1). This quote from the article “Statement of the AAAS Board of Directors on the Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods” expresses the fact that humans have been using the favorable genes of plants since the time of Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics. When plants showed a desirable trait, they were bred together so that more offspring would have that trait. Genetic modification is manipulating the plant genome, but humans have been doing this for years. Editing genes is a more precise way to do this. Genetic modification improves food and is safe. Genetic modification is a scientific way to improve crops. The article “Genetically Modified Foods” explains this by saying; “A genetically modified food (GMO) is the result of recombinant DNA biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic makeup of an organism to be modified. This can be achieved by incorporating genes from other organisms or by rearranging genes already present” (Schneider 1). The genes used in GM plants come from other plants of the same plant. This means that nothing that enters the plant comes from an unnatural source. “AAAS Board of Directors Statement on Labeling Genetically Modified Foods” states: “Modern molecular genetics and the invention of large-scale DNA sequencing methods have fueled rapid advances in our knowledge of how genes work and what they do, enabling the development of new methods that allow the very precise addition of useful traits to crops…” (American Association 1). In traditional farming there is a "guess and test" mentality with... middle of paper... elected and many years and a large amount of money have been invested in research into concerns surrounding genetically modified foods. This ensures that genetically modified crops are not dangerous for consumption and do not cause an allergic reaction. Genetically modified food is neither dangerous nor beneficial to all humans. Works cited by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “Statement from the AAAS Board of Directors.” Aaas.com. American Association for the Advancement of Science, October 20, 2012. Web. November 07, 2013.Schneider, Keith R., and Renee Goodrich Schneider. "Genetically modified foods."Edis.ifas.ufl.edu. University of Florida IFAS Extension, nd Web. 07 November 2013. US Food and Drug Administration. “Questions and Answers on Genetically Modified Plants.” FDA.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 7, 2013. Web. Nov. 07. 2013.