G13 Technology and World Change

== Individual Oral Presentation==

By Dai Xuling

The BioBusiness Revolution 2:

Agriculture and the EnvironmentPast, Present, Future

oraniwi

Definitions

• GM Foods – Genetically Modified Foods

• Specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques

• GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s

Examples of GM Foods

Tomato Strawberry Soy Bean

The ArticleTitle of the article:

The Planet Versus Monsanto

Extracted from:

Forbes Magazine

Published on:

January 18, 2010

Authors:

Robert Langreth & Matthew Herper

• Monsanto - Mother of agricultural biotechnology

• The company has $44 billion market value

• Sold $7.3 billion of seeds and seed genes in fiscal 2009

• Seeds are genetically engineered to ward off insects or make a crop immune to herbicides

Background

• However it has been the object of vicious criticism

• Farmers using Roundup Ready seeds can only use Roundup, because any other broad-spectrum herbicide will kill their crops.

• Since 2005 Monsanto has been gradually moving back into other food crops, including fruits and vegetables

Background

• Monsanto patented all its seeds

• Farmers must sign a contract to buy seeds

• Legal impediments to GM are gradually falling

• 90% of US soybean crop and 80% of corn and cotton crop are grown with seeds containing Monsanto’s technology

Interesting Observations and Points

• Biotech corporations are threatening to destroy the agricultural biodiversity which has fed mankind for thousands of years.

• Seeds can be owned as their property, farmers have no freedom to grow their own crops

• If these companies control the seeds, they will control the population of the world

• No enough food to feed the current population is an excuse for them to continue into gene manipulation

Key Takeaway Messages

Personal Assessment and Rating

10 / 10

• Do you think by modifying the genes of seeds, are we able to solve the food shortage problem or improve lives in developing nations?

• Should there be any ethical obligation for food companies to label their food? (to let consumer know whether their food is GM?)

Issues for Discussion