Rachel Martin, Leah Bordenga, Heather Kamback, Rachel Kehoe, Lauren Lyons, Rachel Bernstein

OUT OF THE BOX 1

genetically modified food

Topic Statement: Since we live in the age of technology it is not surprising that some of our food is genetically modified. But what most people don't know are the positive and negative effects it has on our bodies and on

society. This project will explore both sides of the argument, "Is Genetically Modified Food harmful or helpful?"

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What is genetically modified food?Genetically modified foods (GM foods, or biotech foods) are foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

•GMOs have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques.

•Organisms are exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change.

Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include:

•selective breeding

•plant breeding

•animal breeding

•somaclonal variation

The term GM foods or GMOs is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption

These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content.

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Why is it done?According to the World Health Organziation, Genetically-modified foods have the potential to

solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition problems. The initial objective for developing

plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection.

GM foods are developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the

producer or consumer of these foods.

This is meant to translate into a product with a

• lower price

•greater benefit, in terms of durability or nutritional value.

Initially GM seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers, so they have concentrated on innovations that farmers, and the food industry more generally, would appreciate.

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How is it accomplished ?

• Genetically modified foods are created using biotechnology to change their genetic material

Techniques include...o Benign bacterial or viral infectiono Gene splicingo Gene "silencing"o Biolisticso Calcium phosphate precipitationo Electroporation

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Most common genetically modified foods-have you eaten any?

• In 2010, 93% of America's soybean

crops were modified to make them herbicide

resistant. Soy foods include: dressings,

mayonnaise, soy flour & oil, breads, etc.

Also, 93% of cotton crops(oil), and 75% rapeseed(canola) were modified to make them pesticide resistant.

Other common foods include:

Did you know that over 30,000 products in your local grocery store are GM foods?

tomatoes

Corn

Honey

Potatoes

RiceSquash

Papaya

PEAS MeatTobacco

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Benefits• Farmers benefit greatly from genetically modified food.

• Spend less money on pesticides.• Crops are stronger.• Farmers gain more profit from GM food.• Before GM crops, farmers crops suffered from

• Harsh weather conditions• Weeds• Bugs/animals

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Benefits cont...• Surprisingly GM Food has

health benefits!• Crops are modified to be

more nutritional.o In developing countries,

where nutrition is lacking, crops can be modified to contain the needed nutrients.

• Example: Golden Riceo Enhanced with carotene to

prevent Vitamin A deficiency in children in developing countries.

o Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness.

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Benefits Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAOHDDaTd6E

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HarmsHuman Health Risks• Antibiotic Resistance:• GM foods are often developed to fight off certain pesticides and

herbicides-> higher risk that people who eat GM foods may be more resistant to antibiotics

• New Diseases:• Viruses and bacteria are used in the process of modifying foods->

possibility that they could lead to the development of new diseases

• Allergens and Toxins:• possibility that those genetically modifying food crops

may unintentionally create a new allergen• ex-Soy Plant

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HarmsEnvironmental/Ecological Problems

• Gene transfer to non-target species o transgenes may transfer from engineered crops into

nearby plants-pollen is carried by wind, bees, and other pollinators

o crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed->”superweeds”

• Unintended harm to other organismso Transgenic pollen harms monarch larvae-laboratory

study

• Loss of biodiversity:o GM food can potentially cause damage to other

organisms in the ecosystems where they are growno If these organisms are killed off, it will lead to a loss of

biodiversity in the environment and will put other organisms at risk by creating an unstable ecosystem 12

Government and regulationProposition 37

Proposition 37 would:

-Require labeling on raw or processed food sold to consumers if made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specific ways.

-Prohibits labeling or advertising such food, or other processed food, as "natural," "naturally made," naturally grown," and "all natural."

Similar proposals are also being formed in other states such as Vermont, Connecticut and Washington.

Labeling of genetically modified foods has already been acted upon in over 60 countries worldwide including most of Europe, Japan, China and India.

In California there is a movement currently underway for the labeling of genetically engineered foods titled Proposition 37.

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Government and regulation Argument in Favor -You have a right to know what is in your food

-Food will be labeled accurately

-Protecting your health as well as your family's will be easier

-There are no long-term health studies that have proven that genetically engineered food is safe for humans

-Prevents the misleading word "natural" on products that are genetically engineered

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Government and regulation Argument Against

-Many believe it would mean higher food

costs for both farmers and consumers

-Opens the door for various lawsuits to ensue if labeling is incorrect or consumers come to harm from a product that was genetically modified.

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• Current Labeling Policy: FDA requires a GM food to be labeled if it contains a different nutritional property, such as allergins, or contains a toxicant beyond acceptable limits.

• The USA has proposed laws in over 10 states, but not enacted.

How are genetically modified foods labeled

Pro's•Consumer's right to know what they are eating•Informed about health and environmental concerns•9 out of 10 Americans support it

Con's•Labeling would raise prices for all consumers•They already have an option: buy certified organic foods •For vegetarian consumers, no GM food on shelves contain animal genes

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Bibliography "Genetically Modified Foods - Techniques." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2012.

<http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Genetically_modified_foods_techniques>.

GM Science Review First Report, Prepared by the UK GM Science Review panel (July 2003).

Chairman Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government, P 9

Disabled World News. "Genetically modified foods information including list of GM foods" by Mavis Butcher. 22 September 2009. Web Oct. 20 2012. <http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/gm-foods.php>

Colorado State University Extension.. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods" by P. Bryne. September 2010. Web Oct. 19, 2012. <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html>

Whitman, Deborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? N.p., Apr. 2000. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>.

Ackerman, Jennifer. "Food: How Altered?" National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/food-how-altered/>.

Henshaw, Ashley. "Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods." Symptomfind.com. N.p., 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/pros-and-cons-of-genetically-modified-foods/>.

Palfreman, Jon. "Harvest of Fear." PBS. N.p., 24 Apr. 2001. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/arguments.html>. 17

Bibliography continued..• "California General Election." Proposition 37 Arguments and Rebuttals. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.

<http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/37/arguments-rebuttals.htm>.

• General, Attorney. "California General Election." Proposition 37 Title and Summary. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. <http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/37/title-summary.htm>.

• http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/10/09/political-and-corporate-elite-shun-gm-food-on-their-own-plate/

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/05/gm-food-crops-demand-prices

• http://www.twotheroot.com/problem-with-gmo/

• http://www.seedsofdeception.com/

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