Comment: Re:Clarification Between GMO and Hybrids (Score 1) 333
But what does hybridization actually do on the genetic level? Genetic material is extracted from one organism and implanted/replaced into another. Only it's a crap shoot, so while you may have wanted mildew resistance, what you got was smaller yields and tasteless product. Genetic engineering lets you select the specific genes that you want and none of the rest.
So far as we can tell, all life on Earth is related to each other and all of it uses the same genetic machinery. The fact that jellyfish are more distantly related -- yet still related -- doesn't mean their genes are inherently dangerous and can't be used safely to good effect. The fact that two varieties are closely related doesn't mean their hybrid is a good thing to eat, either.