1 / 16

GMOs

GMOs. Organic Foods. Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods of organic farming -- that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers . . GMO’s.

jamuna
Download Presentation

GMOs

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. GMOs

  2. Organic Foods • Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods of organic farming -- that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

  3. GMO’s • A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have naturally. • OR • The movement of genes from one organism to another

  4. What is a GMO? • Scientists can now transfer genes between species that otherwise would be incapable of mating, for example, a goat and a spider. • Little is known about the long-term effects of such manipulations on both humans and the environment. • While some see GMOs as the way to the future, others believe that scientists have gone too far, tinkering with the essence of life.

  5. Benefits Crops Enhanced taste and quality (sweeter strawberries) Reduced maturation time (double profit for farmers) Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides (Canola resistant to canola worm) New products and growing techniques (apple-pears) Papayas resistant to ring-spot worm Allows producers to respond to consumer demands Based on what we do know….

  6. Based on what we do know…. Benefits Animals • Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency • Better natural waste management • More efficient processing • Farmed fish mature faster

  7. Based on what we do know…. Benefits: • Environment • ‘Friendly’ bioherbicides and bioinsecticides • Conservation of water • New sources of energy (Corn) • Decreases soil erosion • Bioprocessing for forestry products • Better natural waste management • More efficient processing

  8. Based on what we do know…. • Benefits • Consumer/Society • Increased food security for growing populations • Better taste and quality of food (crispier grapes) • Longer shelf life (apples last for 3 weeks) • External and internal aesthetic appeal (seedless watermelon) • Allergy-free products (nuts and milk) • Higher nutritional value • Less saturated fat in oil • “golden rice” enriched with vitamin A and Iron • Bananas with vaccine

  9. Controversies Safety Potential human health impact: allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects. Potential Environmental impact: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms (e.g. soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity Access and Intellectual Property Domination of world food production by a few companies Increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries Biopiracy-foreign exploitation of natural resources Based on what we do know….

  10. Based on what we do know…. Controversies • Ethics • Violation of natural organisms’ basic values • Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species • Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa • Stress for animal • Labeling • Not mandatory in some countries (e.g. U.S., Canada) • Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts • Society • New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries

  11. What are the Issues? • Do we know the full impact that GMOs can have? • To label or not to label? • Who owns the food chain? http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/photos/12-bizarre-examples-of-genetic-engineering/mad-science

  12. Labelling GMOs • Do you know what is in your food? GMOs are found extensively in many food products. Chances are you have already eaten GMOs. • The soybean is by far the world's most cultivated transgenic plant, followed by corn, cotton, and canola. • The United States, Argentina, Canada and China, in that order, are the biggest producers. Although these practices primarily provide food for animals, a small percentage also lands on your plate!

  13. Labelling GMOs Different countries have adopted different approaches to the touchy topic of labelling GMOs. • In Europe, the labelling of GMOs is obligatory, and caution prevails. When in doubt, do not eat it. Products are labelled, and it is left to the consumer to make their choice. • In Canada and the United States, the labelling of GMOs is optional. If a GMO is essentially equivalent to a non-GMO, then why label it?

  14. Identifying Genetically Modified Foods (9:25) http://archives.cbc.ca/lifestyle/food/topics/1597/ Food Fight (7:23) http://archives.cbc.ca/lifestyle/food/clips/10958/ • Dueling Over GM Wheat (17:59) http://archives.cbc.ca/lifestyle/food/clips/10957/

  15. David Suzuki speaks out against genetically modified food Broadcast Date: Oct. 17, 1999 • Canada's foremost environmental conscience says GM food is bad science. • Government rejects bill for mandatory labelling of GM foodBroadcast Date: Oct. 17, 2001 • Parliament defeats Liberal MP Charles Caccia's private member's bill.

  16. Containment of GMOs • GMO Containment(9:54) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U0pdIGdpuA

More Related