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<p>The following is from the OU Kosher Halacha Yomis</p>
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<strong>Q. Are genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) kosher? I have heard that they can splice the genes from one type of plant into another. For example, canola seeds can be modified with the genes from the California Bay tree. Does this affect the kosher
status of these foods? </strong></td>
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<p>A. The Torah (<em>Vayikra </em>19:19) forbids mixing different species of plants (<em>kilayim</em>). The Mishnayos in Tractate
<em>Kilayim</em> list specific activities which are included in the prohibition. Included in this list, is the prohibition of grafting a branch from one species of plant onto another. On a conceptual level, mixing genes from different species can be viewed
as a similar violation. However, Rav Belsky, <em>zt”l</em> ruled that GMO’s are kosher. He explained that the prohibition of
<em>kilayim</em> only refers to the specific actions that the Torah or <em>Chazal</em> forbade. Other forms of mixing species such as splicing genes are permitted. As another example, one is permitted to plant a fruit tree of one species next to a tree from
another species, even though the trees will cross-pollinate. Although Ramban (<em>Bereishis</em> 1:11) explains the reason for the
<em>issur</em> of <em>kelayim </em>is that by mixing species one is contradicting the command that
<em>Hashem</em> gave for every species to be created <em>“l’mineiyhu”</em> (to its own kind), and one might conclude that it is forbidden to mix and create new species, nonetheless the actual prohibition is only violated if it is done in one of the ways specifically
proscribed by <em>Chazal</em>. Furthermore, with the exception of <em>klei ha’kerem</em> (planting vegetables in a vineyard), even if plants are grown through a forbidden act of<em> kilayim</em>, the resulting fruit remain kosher.</p>
<p>Click on the link below to hear Rav Belsky, <em>zt”l</em> discuss the issue of GMO’s. The topic begins at minute 30 until minute 38.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.ou.org/torah/kashrut/halacha/let_my_people_know_/?webSyncID=82216253-d9ba-b3a7-be91-b360cadc890a&sessionGUID=cb8dd055-9a23-2dc0-0914-28194d4901c1">https://www.ou.org/torah/kashrut/halacha/let_my_people_know_/?webSyncID=82216253-d9ba-b3a7-be91-b360cadc890a&sessionGUID=cb8dd055-9a23-2dc0-0914-28194d4901c1</a><br>
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