Olivia Regalia

Erin Coffey

Nate Pardini

Diego Flores

Chris Pon

*GMO LABELING

*Agenda

*What do you know?

*GMO information

*The good

*The bad

*Big Business

*Plan of Attack

*Quick Survey

*What is a GMO?

*Who are the two main business supporters?

*What are three common forms of GMO’s?

*Background Information of GMO’s

*A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process of taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to obtain a desired trait or characteristic, hence they are also known as transgenic organisms.

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*1953James Watson and Francis Crick publish their discovery of the three-dimensional double helix structure of DNA. This discovery will eventually lead to the ability of scientists to identify and "splice" genes from one kind of organism into the DNA of another.

*1973Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen combine their research to create the first successful recombinant DNA organism.

*1980The U.S. Supreme Court in Diamond v. Chakrabarty rules that genetically altered life forms can be patented. The decision allows the Exxon Oil Company to patent an oil-eating microorganism.

*1987The first field tests of genetically engineered crops (tobacco and tomato) are conducted in the United States

*1992Calgene's Favr Savr tomato, engineered to remain firm for a longer period of time, is approved for commercial production by the US Department of Agriculture The FDA declares that genetically engineered foods are "not inherently dangerous" and do not require special regulation.

*2000International Biosafety Protocol is approved by 130 countries at the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal, Canada. The protocol agrees upon labeling of genetically engineered crops, but still needs to be ratified by 50 nations before it goes into effect.

*The Benefits of GMO’s

*GMO’s are important

*Medical uses

*Bacteria modified to produce insulin for diabetics

*Anticoagulant made from goat milk (ATryn)

*GMO animals used to study and find therapies for diseases

*BUT…

*People deserve to know if they are consuming GMO’s

*The Negative Effects of GMO’s

*Increase in food allergies

*Due to the addition of different proteins added into the foods that weren’t originally there.

*“Extensive testing and labeling are required to reduce the potential for negative medical consequences.” –livestrong.com

*Environmental risks

*“super-weed”

*Would be resistant to herbicide

*Not occurring in nature

* “Making plants and animals that are resistant to bacteria can cause bacteria to become stronger and harder to kill. Making plants herbicide resistant can lead to weeds that are herbicide resistant as well.”-organic.lovetoknow.com

* Toxins that kill pests are inside these foods

* Bt-toxin (insecticide)

* No tests longer than two years on the effects of these toxins

*Animals

*Show harmful effects in animals

*Studies have shows liver and kidney problems

* Smaller kidneys

* Increased metabolic rates in liver

* Kidneys leaked

*Studies have shown weight loss

*Studies have shown that rats fed GMO’s had smaller and fewer babies

* Lower reproduction rate

*Studies done to prove GMO’s safe are not long enough

*Big Business and GMO’s

*Besides the big 4 companies that are not widely mentioned in the GMO oppositions for labeling, there are 18 more companies that help support NO.

Besides whole foods, and other big grocery’s stores there are 10 company’s that want to supports YES on GMO’s.

Would these companies that you buy your food and drinks from change how think about the way they do deals behind your back?

*Our Mission

*To educate people about GMO’s and current labeling laws

*To get Prop 37 back on the ballot with a youthful backing

*To help people make more informed choices and to make it easier to eat healthier

*How We Are Going to Do It

*Create a blog style website: www.hcom266prop37.webs.com

*Go around to classes at CSUMB to speak with them about GMO’s, and to take surveys to see how much they really know.

*Connect with other Prop 37 organizations to get information to more schools and groups across the state.