Genetically Modified Foods Introduction What is it Genetic

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.

Examples Round 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/s oybeans. asp

Examples Canola • Bred from a poisonous plant called Rapeseed • GM to be herbicide resistant • Canola is one of Canada’s most valued crops http: //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/vol 16 no 4/16 4 food 2. htm

Genetic Modified food Policy

Food Labelling • No GM labels in Canada or US - How do you feel about not knowing whether the food you eat is genetically modified. ?

Conclusion • Has your position on GM food changed?