From prehistoric times until 1900, farmers found food from plants they found in nature and seeds from farmers' plants saved from home crops. Some naturalists and farmers began to recognize hybrid plants produced through breeding between related varieties or of the same plant species. In the 1900s, European plant scientists began using Gregor Mendel's genetic theory to manipulate and improve plant species. A plant of one variety is crossed with a related plant to produce the desired characteristics. The history of genetically modified organisms – GMOs – in agriculture actually began before recorded history. Prehistoric farmers selected the most productive plants and seeds from their home crops for up to 10,000 years (livinghistoryfarm.org). Scientists were discovering and controlling a natural process. Today, scientists have discovered ways to actually change the internal structures and sequence of genes, particularly in plants. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become the man-made miracle of the 21st century – for better or worse (livinghistoryfarm.org). The history of genetically modified foods can be traced back to 1983, when a genetically modified tobacco plant was developed (Murnaghan, I.2012). The practice has come a long way in the last thirty years. There has been much controversy associated with the benefits and risks of genetically modified foods and the manufacturing process. Historical records indicate that genetically modified foods trace their roots to the mid-19th century. During this time an Austrian monk and botanist named Gregor Mendel conducted an experiment in which he crossed a species of tall pea with a species of short pea to show... middle of paper... in the food chain, resistance to antibiotics. and human health risks such as allergenicity (acadamia.edu). GMOs have had a huge impact on the world's food supply. Genetically modified food seems to be the best solution to this problem of feeding people and would also be better for the environment and the surrounding environment because it gives the possibility of using fewer chemicals. Risks and precautions must be taken into account when producing these foods, such as machine checks and permits to produce the foods, however they appear to have more advantages than disadvantages. With correct labeling people should be able to decide whether they choose foods, whether they have ethical or personal problems with foods or whether they have allergies. They have the ability to decide for their health and well-being based on their views on GMOs.