Fruit Tree - Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

QUESTION: Are genetically modified organisms (GMO) 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?

ANSWER: Torah (Vayikra 19:19) forbids mixing different species of plants (kilayim). The Mishnah (Tractate Kilayim) lists specific activities which are included in the prohibition. Included in this list, is the prohibition of grafting a branch from one species of tree onto another. On a conceptual level, mixing genes from different species can be viewed as a similar violation. However, Rav Belsky zt”l ruled that GMO are permitted. He explained that the prohibition of kilayim only refers to the specific actions that the Torah or Chazal forbade.

Other forms of mixing species such as splicing genes are permitted. One is even 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 (Bereishis 1:11) explains the reason for the issur of kilayim is that by mixing species one is contradicting the command that Hashem gave for every species to be created “l’mineiyhu” (by its own kind), and one might conclude, therefore, 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 delineated by Chazal. Furthermore, with the exception of kilei ha’kerem (planting vegetables in a vineyard), even if plants are grown through a forbidden act of kilayim, the resulting fruit remains kosher.

Click here to hear Rav Belsky zt”l discuss the issue of GMO. The topic begins at minute 30 until minute 38. 

____________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.