Genetically Modified Foods

1. Genetically Modified Foods

2. 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?

3. Benefits • Take less time to mature • More weather, pest and disease resistant - Reduced pesticide use • Can be engineered to have more nutrients

4. 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.

5. 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/soybeans.asp

6. 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?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Genetic Modified food Policy

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

13. Conclusion • Has your position on GM food changed?