Genetically Modified Foods

Introduction• What is it• Genetic modification is the altering of a species genome to produce a desired

result. This can be achieved in two ways:

• Selective breeding - Only breed organisms with desired traits. Long drawn process

• Genetic Engineering - Direct manipulation of genes. Extraction of desired gene from any organism and insertion into desired organism

• http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8178.pdf

• When did it begin• Ancient times

• Questions - what is your position on GMO? In support of?

Benefits

• Take less time to mature

• More weather, pest and disease resistant - Reduced pesticide use

• Can be engineered to have more nutrients

Costs• loss of biodiversity - GM plants outcompete natural plants

• Creation of superweeds - Cross pollination of GM weeds with similar wild species - Herbicide tolerance passed to other plants

• EX Herbicide resistant GM Oilseed Rape - crossed with similar plant species and gave them herbicide tolerance.

• ? it better to engineer plants to be inherently more immune to pests or to use natural crops and have to use pesticides.

ExamplesRound up Ready

• Some round up ready crops include• Corn • Canola• Soybeans

• Roundup - Toxicity Class 3 according to EPA

Any examples that you know of? Are they positive or negative?

• http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/ag_products/input_traits/soybeans.asp

Examples

Canola

• Bred from a poisonous plant called Rapeseed• GM to be herbicide resistant• Canola is one of Canada’s most valued cropshttp://www.canola-council.org/facts_export.aspx

? Do you feel comfortable consuming Canola Oil?

Examples – Golden Rice

• rice with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes.

• http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml

• Golden Rice - Rice fortified with Vit A to prevent blindness in Africa and Asia

• Social Issues Research center http://www.sirc.org/gate/genetically_modified_food.html

BT Maize

• Corn engineered to produce a toxin that kills certain boring insects

• ? What kind of effect might this have on us and our ecosystems

• http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/maize/631.docu.html

GMO in Africa

• ? See any advantages GMO might offer Africa or developing countries?

• Pros• Draught resistant crops• Able to produce own food

• Cons - • Reduced market size - europe does not purchase GMF• GM crops might impact flaura and fauna

Controversy• South Africa + Zambia – Drought – starvation – but would

accept GM food from donors. Health Concerns

• Other countries only accept milled GM grain – environmental concerns?

• ? Is it right for the government to let people starve rather than to accept GM food aid

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2459903.stm• http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/

vol16no4/164food2.htm

Genetic Modified food Policy

Food Labelling

• No GM labels in Canada or US

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How do you feel about not knowing whether the food you eat is genetically modified.?

Conclusion

• Has your position on GM food changed?