In 1946 scientists discovered that DNA can transfer between organisms. In 1983 first GMO was produced(antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant) 1994 GM tomato was approved by the FDA for marketing in the US - the modification allowed the tomato to delay ripening after picking Today about 25 GMO are produced and distributed commercially in the US.

Transgenic plants have genes inserted into them that are derived from another species Cisgenic plants are made using genes found within the same species or a closely related one, where conventional plant breeding can occur.