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Genetically Modified Foods (GM or GMO foods)

Genetically Modified Foods (GM or GMO foods). What is a Genetically Modified (GM) Food?. Foods that contain an added gene sequence Foods that have a deleted gene sequence Animal products from animals fed GM feed Products produced by GM organisms. Common GM Foods. Vegetables Corn Soybeans

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Genetically Modified Foods (GM or GMO foods)

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  1. Genetically Modified Foods(GM or GMO foods)

  2. What is a Genetically Modified (GM) Food? • Foods that contain an added gene sequence • Foods that have a deleted gene sequence • Animal products from animals fed GM feed • Products produced by GM organisms

  3. Common GM Foods • Vegetables • Corn • Soybeans • Tomatoes • Potatoes • Rice • Cheese • Meat

  4. How is genetic modification possible? • The components of DNA are the same in all organisms. • Sequences that code for proteins can be moved from one organism to another.

  5. How can DNA be moved from one organism to another? • Find an organism with the desired trait • Isolate the gene sequence that codes for the desired trait • Insert the gene sequence into the genome of the plant cell

  6. How can DNA be moved from one organism to another? • Allow the genetically altered cell to grow into a plant • Allow the plant to propagate

  7. A vector can carry DNA. The vector can be a pellet from a gene gun. Viruses and bacteria also can be utilized to transfer genes. How can DNA be moved from one organism to another?

  8. Possible Benefitsof GM Foods • Easing of world hunger • Development of crops that can be grown in marginal soil • Critics say this benefit is used to market GM crops, since the companies are not working to alleviate hunger

  9. Possible Benefits of GM Foods • Reduced use of pesticides and herbicides • Development of pest resistant crops • Reduced herbicide use is better for the environment and reduces costs for farmers

  10. Possible Benefits of GM Foods • Improved crop quality • Development of frost resistant crops • Development of disease resistant crops • Development of flood resistant crops • Improved nutritional quality • Development of foods designed to meet specific nutritional goals

  11. Possible Risks for GM Foods • Certain gene products may be allergens, thus causing harm to human health • There may be unintended harm to wildlife and beneficial insects Photo courtesy of T. W. Davies, Cal. Acad. of Sciences.

  12. Possible Risks of GM Foods • Insects might develop resistance to pesticide-producing GM crops • Herbicide-tolerant crops may cross-pollinate weeds, resulting in "superweeds“ • May increase herbicide use because of pesticide tolerant GM crops

  13. Should GM foods be labeled? • Government agencies regulate GM foods • GM foods in the United States are not required to be labeled.

  14. Who is growing (and eating) GM crops?In 2003, countries that grew 99% of the global transgenic crops were the United States (63%), Argentina (21%), Canada (6%), Brazil (4%), China (4%), and South Africa (1%).

  15. THE END

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