Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living things like plants or animals that have had their DNA changed on purpose to give them different traits, like being resistant to pests or being able to grow in different environments.
But scientists have to be careful when they create GMOs because they don't want them to escape and start living in places where they don't belong, like the wild. If this happens, the GMOs could harm other living things or upset the natural balance of an ecosystem.
So, before scientists release GMOs into the environment, they have to make sure they are contained. This means they are kept in a specific area where they can't escape. For example, a genetically modified plant might be grown in a greenhouse where it can't crossbreed with other plants.
But sometimes, GMOs can still escape even with containment measures in place. This could happen if a plant's seeds get carried away by the wind or on someone's clothing.
That's why scientists also have to plan for how they will monitor and respond to any GMOs that do escape. They might create traps to catch the escaped organism, or they might use chemicals to kill it.
Overall, scientists have to be very careful when it comes to creating and releasing GMOs, and they have to make sure they are doing everything they can to keep them contained and prevent any harm to the environment.