Frankenfood
Lab-altered crops
Frankenfood is a disparaging term for genetically modified food, evoking Frankenstein's monster—something unnatural, cobbled together in a lab, potentially dangerous.
The word emerged in the 1990s as GMO crops entered agriculture: Protesters warned that Frankenfood would contaminate organic farms.
It frames genetic engineering as hubristic meddling with nature.
Having inserted foreign genes
- GMOLab-altered life form
- CRISPRGene-editing molecular machinery
- recombinantGenetically engineered combination
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
cloning · biotechnology · genetics · DNA · molecular · lab-grown · biotech · splicing
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- policyAdopted principle of action
lobbying · biodiversity · ethics · morality · debate · misinformation · Monsanto · corporate
Produced artificially, not natural
- artificialMade, not natural
- processedSubjected to operations
- man-madeCreated by humans
- fakeNot the real thing
imitation · chemical · additives · preservatives · industrial · manufactured · engineered · plastic
Contrary to normal order
- monstrousFrighteningly huge or wicked
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- creatureLiving, sentient entity
- abominationLoathsome, detestable thing
nightmare · dread · anxiety · apprehension · suspicion · unease · trepidation · scare
transgenic
Having inserted foreign genes
- GMOLab-altered life form
- CRISPRGene-editing molecular machinery
- recombinantGenetically engineered combination
genome · cloning · biotechnology · genetics · DNA · molecular · lab-grown · biotech · splicing · modification
activism
Direct effort for reform
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
policy · lobbying · biodiversity · ethics · morality · debate · misinformation · Monsanto · corporate · transparency
synthetic
Produced artificially, not natural
- artificialMade, not natural
- processedSubjected to operations
- man-madeCreated by humans
fake · imitation · chemical · additives · preservatives · industrial · manufactured · engineered · plastic · unnatural
unnatural
Contrary to normal order
abomination · nightmare · dread · anxiety · apprehension · suspicion · unease · trepidation · scare · alarm
Frankenfoodnatural food
Minimally processed edibles
non-GMO · organic food · heirloom varieties · whole food · heritage crops
Frankenfoodwhole food
Unrefined, unprocessed edibles
health food · farm-fresh · nature's bounty · garden-fresh · homegrown
Frankenfoodorganic farming
Cultivation without synthetic chemicals
sustainable agriculture · permaculture · agroecology · traditional farming · subsistence farming