Transcript Slide 1
Genetically Modified Organisms http://www.masternewmedia.org/images/modded.jpg http://repairstemcell.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/genetically-modified-food-fda.jpg What are genetically modified organisms (GMO, GMF, Frankenfoods)? http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php • Also known as transgenic • Crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. • Create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. What could we do with this kind of technology? More possibilities GMO issues are real and in your grocery store thanks to Erika Lowery Advantages of GMOs • • • • • • • Pest resistance Herbicide tolerance Disease resistance Cold tolerance Drought/Salinity tolerance Nutrition Phytoremediation (clean up heavy metals in soils – gm poplar trees) • Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals What are some of the criticisms of GMO foods? • Environmental Hazards a. Unintended harm to other organisms – Monarch butterflies and milkweed/corn pollen b. Reduced effectiveness of pesticides c. Gene transfer to non-target species • Human Health Risks a. Allergies b. Unknown/Unintended health effects • Economic Concerns a. Expense and time bring GMO plants to market b. Patents and control by agrichemical companies How are GMO/GMF/Transgenic Foods Labeled? • Agribusiness firms believe labeling should be voluntary – They say, “Let the markets decide!” • Consumer groups say labeling should be mandatory – They say, “I want to know what I am eating!” • FDA’s current position grounded in the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act… • GRAS • Generally Recognized As Safe • What do you think about this? Why did Monsanto, PepsiCo and Nestlé spend over $45M to defeat Prop 37 in California? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/07/prop-37-californian-gm-labelling Approximately 90% of US corn and soybean production is GMO Growth of GE Crops1996-2009 http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/ GMO Cartoons to Interpret http://s4.hubimg.com/u/46935_f260.jpg http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/200 http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2008/articles/GMF/GMF_files/image001.jpg 8/articles/GMF/GMF_files/image001 .jpg http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v2/n3/images/nrg0301_217a_i1.jpg http://weblog.helpware.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/monsanto_labelling.jpg http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban128l.jpg http://i.treehugger.com/files/gmo-patent-pending-01.jpg http://earthhopenetwork.net/frankenfood_monsanto_hungry_man.jpg Store Wars Grocery http://www.green.tv/store_wars And,now… www.themeatrix.com