FRIEND OR FOE GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO)
Preview:
Citation preview
- Slide 1
- FRIEND OR FOE GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO)
- Slide 2
- GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS Also called genetically modified
organisms (GMO), or GE foods (Genetically Engineered). Created by
inserting DNA from one organism into another (Fish DNA into an
Apple) or, modifying an organism s DNA to attain a desirable traits
(I.e. crops that can resist drought and disease). Image credit:
Microsoft clipart
- Slide 3
- EXAMPLES OF GMO S In 1994, the Flvr Savr tomato (apple DNA
combined with Tomato DNA) was introduced as the first GMO food. It
is supposed to be tastier, firmer and fresher than the average
tomato. Golden Ride - enriched rice containing beta- carotene
(Vitamin A). This vitamin is not found in normal rice. Bt Corn -
corn containing a chemical normally found in bacteria (Bacillus
thuringiensis). This is toxic to insects, not humans. Insects try
to eat the plant and die. Herbicide resistant plants (roundup ready
corn) - these plants are immune to a certain herbicide, so they
live while all the other plants in the field are killed.
- Slide 4
- GMO FOODSARE COMMON According to Greenpeace, up to 70% of
processed foods in Canada contain GMO ingredients. Most common are
corn, soy, canola and cotton.
- Slide 5
- WHAT IS GROWN GLOBALLY? In 2001 the area of genetically
modified crops grown globally was 52.6 million hectares. That is an
area the size of France or Spain. This includes food and non-food
crops (I.e.cotton) 4 countries produced 99% of the world's
genetically modified crops. These are: USA (68%) Argentina (22%)
Canada (6%) China (3%) More than 80% of canola grown in Canada and
a high proportion of the countrys soybean and corn crops are
genetically modified. Image credit: Microsoft clipart
- Slide 6
- From ( U.S. Dept. Agriculture 2001)
- Slide 7
- GMOS IN CANADA Health Canada groups GMO foods into a category
called Novel Foods Foods resulting from a process not previously
used for food; Products that have never been used as a food; or
Foods that have been modified by genetic manipulation, also known
as genetically modified (GM) foods, genetically engineered foods or
biotechnology-derived foods
- Slide 8
- GMOS IN CANADA 70 novel foods have been approved for sale in
Canada. Potatoes Canola Corn Tomatoes Squash Soybeans Flax Are all
examples!! These crops are processed into the goods we buy in
grocery stores. Fries, cakes, oils, sugars, sauces Animals that
feed on GMOs And more all without mandatory labeling.
- Slide 9
- BENEFIT #1 Increased Crop Productivity This includes herbicide
tolerance, pest and disease resistance E.g. Roundup ready crops,
and BT corn. Could mean using less spray
- Slide 10
- BENEFIT #2 Cold Tolerance plants developed to tolerate cold
temperatures withstand unexpected frost that could destroy
seedlings. Drought Tolerance currently inhospitable regions can now
be cultivated
- Slide 11
- BENEFIT # 3 Improved Nutrition crops like rice are a staple in
developing countries but are nutritionally inadequate. GMO "golden
rice" is high in beta-carotene (vitamin A) Vitamin A - reduces
eye-related problems like blindness due to malnutrition
- Slide 12
- BENEFIT #4 Phytothoremediation Plants like poplar tees clean up
the heavy metal soil contamination GMO plants with higher tolerance
for heavy metals like mercury are created
- Slide 13
- BENEFIT #5 Future Benefits food without allergens; (I.e. anyone
could eat nuts) grains, fruit & vegetables with improved
nutrition (multi-vitamin potatoes=healthy fast food french fries!)
longer shelf life and better taste (reduced food waste due to
spoilage) rice enhanced with iron (prevent anemia) foods used as
vaccines (bye-bye needles) And many more possibilities
- Slide 14
- CHALLENGE #1 Environmental possibility of unintended harm to
other organisms A pest resistant crop that produces toxins could
harm both crop-damaging and non crop- damaging insects. (e.g. of
this is the BR corn is thought to affect/kill the larvae of a
Monarch Butterfly.
- Slide 15
- CHALLENGE #2 Pesticides will become less effective as pests
become resistant and start to adapt to the GMO Different varieties
and strengths of pesticides will be needed once weeds have adapted
to the existing effective pesticides.
- Slide 16
- CHALLENGE #3 Super weeds Gene transfer to non-target species
where herbicide tolerant plants crossbreed with weeds potentially
creating herbicide resistant weeds. Some Western Canadian farmers
are calling Monsantos round-up ready canola a superweed.
- Slide 17
- CHALLENGE #4 Human Health Risk introducing a gene into a plant
may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in
susceptible individuals. Also if one was to insert the genes from a
nut into another plant could be dangerous for people who are
allergic to nuts
- Slide 18
- CHALLENGE #5 Economic Hazards GMO seeds are patented (must buy
each year) This presents problems for poor farmers in both the
developed and developing worlds. Large companies like Monsanto have
resorted to suing small farmers found to be using their seed
without paying. Suicide Seeds In order to compete with the global
market, farmers are forced to by GMO seeds. Problem some seeds they
buy are infertile and yield NO CROPS.