“Civilization relies on the ability of humans to modify plants to make them more suitable for human, animal and fiber crops and all of these modifications are genetic” (American Association 1). This quote from the article "AAAS Board of Directors Statement on Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods" expresses the fact that humans have been using favorable genes from plants since the time of Gregor Mendel, the father of genetic. When plants exhibited a desirable trait, they were crossed so that more offspring would have that trait. Genetic editing involves manipulating the plant's genome, but humans have been doing it 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 (GM) food is the result of recombinant DNA biotechnological procedures that allow the genetic makeup of an organism to be altered. This can be accomplished by incorporating genes from other organisms or by rearranging genes already present” (Schneider 1). The genes used in genetically modified plants come either from other plants or from the plant itself. This means that nothing that goes into the plant comes from an unnatural source. The “AAAS Board of Directors Statement on Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods” states: “Modern molecular genetics and the invention of large-scale DNA sequencing methods have fueled rapid advances in our knowledge of the functioning and action of genes, thus enabling the development of genetically modified foods. new methods which allow the very precise addition of useful characteristics to crops…” (American Association 1). In traditional breeding there is a guess and check mentality middle of paper......elected and many years and a lot of money have been invested in research into concerns about genetically modified foods . This ensures that genetically modified crops are not unsafe to consume and will not cause an allergic reaction. Genetically modified foods are neither dangerous nor beneficial for all humans. Works Cited American Association for the Advancement of Science. “AAAS Board of Directors Statement.” » Aaas.com. American Association for the Advancement of Science, October 20, 2012. Web. November 7, 2013. Schneider, Keith R. and Renee Goodrich Schneider. “Genetically modified foods.” Edis.ifas.ufl.edu. University of Florida IFAS Extension, nd Web. November 7, 2013. US Food and Drug Administration. “Questions and answers about genetically modified plants.” FDA.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 7, 2013. Web. November 7. 2013.