Final answer:
GMO corn contains transgenic traits like insect and herbicide resistance, improved nutritional value, and virus resistance, achieved through advanced biotechnology, whereas non-GMO varieties don't have these engineered traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly GMO corn, have been developed to possess certain traits that non-GMO varieties do not have. These genetic traits can include resistance to drought and insect pests, improved nutritional value, better shelf life, and resistance to herbicides. For instance, Bt corn contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a protein that acts as an insecticide, thus reducing the use of chemical insecticides and their environmental impact.
Other strains of GMO corn might be engineered to resist specific viruses, like the Maize dwarf mosaic virus. It's essential to note that these transgenic traits are introduced through sophisticated biotechnology methods, unlike the genetic modifications that occur through traditional breeding practices.