Genetically Modified Food

Jyothsna Sarikonda

Argument

“People should know the effects of Genetically Modified Food”Sub Argument 1:

“Benefits of GMO”Sub Argument 2:

“ Health risks associated with GMO”Sub Argument 3:

“Awareness about GMO”

Danger!

31 year old Spanish person Juan Pedro Ramos died after consuming GM Tomatoes in Madrid hospital in the beginning of January this year.

GM tomatoes consumed by him caused allergic reactions.

Had number of symptoms like itchy rash, swelling of the throat, and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

GM Food Controversy

Effects of Genetic Engineering surfaced from a study on the effect of GM corn pollen on butterfly caterpillars.

Consumers concern on long term human health effects like anti-biotic resistance, allergies and unnatural nutritional changes.

Genetically Modified (GM) Food

Foods produced from organisms that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering.

Food that contain added gene sequence.Food that have deleted gene sequence.Products produced by GM organisms.

GMO Background

Commercial Sale of GM Foods started in 1994.

Primarily focused on Cash Crops like Soya beans and corn.

By 1998, more than 26 percent of the cotton, 40 percent of the soybean acreage in the US was planted with GM crops

60-fold rise in the application of Agricultural –biotechnology since 1996

Predicted that, by 2015, more than 200 million hectares of lands will be planted by biotech crops in about 40 countries

Introduction

Possible benefits of GMO

Easing of world hungerDevelopment of drought resistant cropsDevelopment of salt-tolerant crops Reduced use of pesticides and herbicidesReduced herbicide use is better for the

environment and reduces costs for farmers

Sub Argument 1

Health effects of GMO Insects might develop resistance to pesticide-producing

GM crops. Herbicide-tolerant crops may cross-pollinate weeds,

resulting in “super weeds”. Certain gene products may be allergens, thus causing

harm to human health. Financially effect to famers who cannot afford to produce

GM products as biotech industries can.

Sub Argument 2

Financial EffectsBig money organizations are misusing the

technology to their advantage.Making more and selling for less to make more

profit margin compared to conventional foods.Leaves no choice to the farmers and to the

consumers.

GMO Survey Results

70%

20%

10%

Are GMO Safe

NoUnsureYes

Do you know about Genetically Modified Food and are they safe?

Sub Argument 3

Survey Results - Continued

All Internet Internet,TV TV TV and Radio0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

10.00%

70.00%

5.00%10.00%

5.00%

Prefered Source of GMO Info

Total

Is there enough information available about GMO and what kind of source would you prefer to know about GMO?

Survey Results - Continued

Do not know5%

Health60%Health and Taste

10%

Price15%

Taste10%

Main Concern About GMO

Main concern on consuming GMO

Effects of Consuming GMO

50%

15%

35%

Main health concern

AllergicCarcinogenicToxins

Survey Results - Continued

Depends No Unsure Yes0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

5%

25%

40%

30%

Interested In Buying GMOs

Total

Prefer Buying GMOs after knowing the facts

Conclusion

GM Foods provide us some benefits as well as losses.

Be transparent with the information about GMO.Government should regulate the safety testing

and labeling of GMOs.Proceed with caution and avoid unintended

harm to human health and environment.Human Health and Environment are fragile. Lets

protect them !