GM technology modifies (alters) the genetic make-up of an organism by transferring genes into it from other (foreign) organisms.  Because genes in nature will not cross species barriers, scientists had to create a technological method of doing this. They use something called a gene ‘construct’ in combination with a chemical or mechanical method for introducing this construct into the cells of the target organism. The gene construct usually consists of a bundle of four different components. The most commonly used ‘construct’ is made up of (1) a ‘vector’, (2) the ‘foreign’ gene, (3) a ‘promoter’ genetic on-switch and (4) an antibiotic resistance ‘marker’ gene. 

The ‘vector’ is used to ‘carry’ the foreign gene into the organism. A number of different (chemical or mechanical) procedures are used to introduce this construct across the cell walls of the organism. In a proportion of cases the ‘foreign’ gene will then splice into the DNA of the organism. The ‘foreign’ gene is taken from a different (foreign) species and transferred into the organism in an attempt to alter the characteristics of the organism. The ‘promoter’ activates, or ‘switches on’ the foreign gene once it has been transferred into the organism.  The antibiotic resistance ‘marker’ gene enables scientists to ‘see’ if the vector has successfully transferred the foreign gene into the organism’s DNA. 

It is important to note that at no time are natural sexual reproductive processes involved in this initial GM transformation procedure. It is clear from a technical perspective GM and natural breeding methods bear no resemblance to each other. Therefore, claims that GM is simply a natural extension of traditional breeding methods are at best highly questionable and at worst totally inaccurate.