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Genetically Modified Foods. By Thomas Confrey. World Hunger on the Rise. History of Genetic Modification. Happening since the Neolithic Revolution Three Common Methods Selective Breeding Combing/Hybridizing Species Exploiting Natural Mutations. New Techniques using DNA.
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Genetically Modified Foods By Thomas Confrey
History of Genetic Modification • Happening since the Neolithic Revolution • Three Common Methods • Selective Breeding • Combing/Hybridizing Species • Exploiting Natural Mutations
New Techniques using DNA • Modern genetic modification involves tranfer of DNA • Cisgenesis – genes transferred from similar species • Trangensis- genes transferred from dissimilar species
Risks from GMF • Food allergies are a problem for many Americans. (e.g. Soy, peanuts, seafood, etc) • New genetically modified species means infinitely more proteins • Usually, allergies are only discovered after an individual has a violent reaction. • Predicting allergies is nearly impossible
Risks Cont’d: Toxic Crops • GM Plants designed to keep bugs/animals away • GM Plants take up more chemicals including heavy metals
Environmental Issues • Chemical companies often design new pesticides and herbicides, as well as, genetically modified plants, which are “immune” to them. • New pesticides or herbicides can seep into surface and ground water
Attitudes towards GMF • Necessary • World hunger is out of control • Unnatural • Stems from moral/ethical dilemma • Dangerous • Risks outweigh any benefits • An Option • Opinion of the US government
FDA • Currently Genetically Modified foods do not need special labels
Conclusion • Genetically Modified Foods are not going away • Could be used to eliminate artificial dyes, preservatives and steroids • Still need more research and long-term testing/risk assessment • Fertilizer is a major problem
References • Biotechnology. (n.d) Retrieved November 20, 2009 from Earth: A Graphic Look at the State of the World: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theglobaleducationpro ject.org/earth/images/components/biotech-patent-chart-copy... • FDA Issues Final Guidance on Regulation of Genetically Engineered Animals. (2009, January 25). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from FDA: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/ge_animals011509.html • Fewer, L. J. (2004). Societal aspects of genetically modified foods. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1181-1193. • Genetically Modified (GM) Plants. (2005, September 21). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from The Naked Scientists: http:www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/marktester... • Genetically Modified Crops. (2008, October 29). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from VOA News: http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2008-10-30 voa1.cfm?renderforpr... • GENETICALLYMODIFIED FOODS Experts View Regimen of Safety Tests as Adequate, but FDA's Evaluation Process Could Be Enhanced. (2002) Retrieved November 20, 2009, from GAO: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02566.pdf • Harvest of Fear. (2009). Retrieved November 2, 2009, from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/arguments.html
References Cont’d • How to feed the world. (2009, November 19). Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Economist: http://www.economist.com/opinion/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=149... • LaFranchi, H. (2009, November 15). On eve of UN food summit: 20 best ways to feed the hungry. Retrieved November 25, 2009, from The Christian Science Monitor:http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1115/p02s01- usfp.htm?print=true • Morales, A. (2009, January 29). 'GM Crops' Part of Food Crisis Solution, U.K. Says. Retrieved 11 21, 2009, from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=aYDn4... • News & Events Genetically Engineered Foods. (1999, October 19). Retrieved 11 19, 2009, from FDA: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm115032.htm • Prescott, V. E. (2006). Genetically modified plants and food hypersensitivity diseases: Usage and implications of experimental models for risk assessment. Pharmacology & Therapeutics , 374-383. • Risks of Genetic Engineering. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2009, from Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/imp...
References Cont’d • Roundup Ready Soybeans. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2009, from Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts /imp.. • SaherMarieke, M. L.-K. (2006). Attitudes towards genetically modified and organic foods. Appetite , 324-331. • Salzano, G. a. (2009, October 16). World's Hungry Pass 1 Billion as Wealth Increases: Chart of the Day. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Bloomberg: http://www.bllomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=a_2ti W.. • Schouten, Henk J,Frans A Krens, and Evert Jacobsen. Cisgenic plants are similar to traditionally bred plants: International regulations for genetically modified organisms should be altered to exempt cisgenesis, European Molecular Biology Organization.2006 August; 7(8): 750–753 • World goes for GM crops to tackle food crisis. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from Commodity Online: http://www.commodityonline.com/printnews.php?news_id=13405