What is Genetic Modification? To modify means to change, so
genetic modification is the change of the genetic code (DNA) of an
organism. Genetically modified plants are referred to as GM
plants.
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History of GM plants In 1994, the first GM was introduced to
the American market without special labels The product was
FlavrSavr, a tomato that was more resistant to rot. This allowed it
to ripen on the vine, giving it improved taste. FlavrSavr was taken
off the market in 1997 due to high production costs and low
profits. After FlavrSavr, other companies began increasing
production of GM crops
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How do they do it? Scientists called biotechnologists find a
trait in one organism that they would like for a plant to have.
They search the DNA of the organism until they find the genes that
control the desired trait, then they introduce the genes into the
plants DNA. This causes the plant to express the traits controlled
by the genes it received from the other organism.
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Plant Cell
Slide 6
How common are GM plants? Many people are surprised to find out
that GM plants are very common in the U.S. Main GM crops in the
U.S.: Soybeans: 93% Cotton: 93% Corn: 86% The U.S. produces about
68% of the worlds GM crops Many other countries are more resistant
to GM technologies
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Why Modify? Genes inserted into plant DNA can make plants
resistant to herbicides, pesticides, viruses, and even cold
weather. Other types of genes can make plants more nutritious or
help them stay ripe longer.
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Controversy If GM plants are resistant to pesticides and
herbicides, have longer shelf life, and can be more nutritious, why
are so many people against them?
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Are GM foods bad for your health? GM foods do not require
special testing or special labels at this point in time. Some
research shows that GM foods cause damage to the organs of mice and
other animals. Other research shows that GM foods do not cause any
damage to animals. It is tricky to test the effects of GM food on
animals, and researchers get different results depending on what
methods they use. If we cant test it properly, then how can we be
sure its safe?
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Effects on the Environment Many plants rely on the wind for
pollination, and pollen from a GM crop can be blown onto
non-altered crops. Since you cant control the wind, it is not yet
possible to prevent accidental cross pollination. Organic crops
could become accidental GM crops. Some are concerned that the GM
plants may even cross with plants in the wild, causing changes in
the food chain. If an animal relies on a certain plant, and then
the plant changes, will the animal be able to survive? Will these
altered genes be transferred to animals?
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The Farmers Many farms save the seeds from the best plants to
start the next years crop. The biotech companies require farmers to
buy new seed every year so they can continue to make money. This
makes farming more expensive for the farmers who rely on their
crops to make a living. Monsanto, a top GM seed producer, has even
taken farmers to court for saving seeds instead of buying new ones.
Terminator Technology causes the seeds produced by some GM plants
to be sterile, which insures that farmers cannot save any
seed.
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Is it okay to tamper with nature? Modification is not a new
idea. In nature, new genes are constantly being created and spread
through the population. The main differences between natural
selection and genetic modification: Technology is used to pick
specific genes instead of new genes spreading by chance We can now
insert genes from one organism into a completely different
organism
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Conflicting Information It is hard to find unbiased information
about genetic modification Biotech companies do not want to release
any negative data that would cause their sales to drop
Anti-modification groups are bound and determined to release the
most negative data to convince people to be on their side You have
to use good judgment to decide whether modification is right or
wrong
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What do YOU think?
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Helpful Websites General information
http://tiki.oneworld.net/genetics/home.htmlhttp://tiki.oneworld.net/genetics/home.html
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/e
n/http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/e
n/ Anti-Modification
http://www.saynotogmos.org/http://www.saynotogmos.org/
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/agriculture
/problem/genetic-engineering/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/agriculture
/problem/genetic-engineering/