PowerPoint Presentation

GMO,Harmful or Beneficial?Yi Zhi Wee566325832

Source: http://www.wcvb.com/image/view/-/27352356/medRes/2/-/maxh/630/maxw/1200/-/jftd1t/-/GMO-Controversy.jpgSource: http://www.saynotogmos.org/ud2006/images/nogmo.jpgIn class, we learned that most studies have shown that genetically modified food is safeHowever, there is still huge controversies about it all over the worldIn this presentation, we will learn about why people are so against GMOThen, we will look at a few myths, potential harm, and benefits of GMO1What does the People Say?93% supports GMO labeling52% believe GMO food unsafe13% unsure about their opinion35% deem GMO to be safeOpinion65% women less likely to buy49% men less likely to buy If labeled, Buy or not to BuySource: [1] Poll: Skepticism of Genetically Modified Foods (ABC News)

Source: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/labelgmos/pages/17/attachments/original/1321298576/banmap.png?1321298576From a survey by ABC News, most people want GMO labeledMore than half of the population think that it is unsafe and would prefer not to buy itIn fact, the USA is one of the few countries that doesnt require GMO labelling2Why are People Against GMO?The reverse halo effectPeople tend to think GMO as unnaturalTheir distrust lead them to ignore scientific proofSource: [2] The Psychology of Distrusting G.M.O.s (The New Yorker)

Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/02/66/87/026687d7196f7f04cf64a78d0683890b.jpgWhen tasting the same product, but told that one is organic and the other regular, people tend to say that the organic ones taste less artificial & more nutritiousThis effect, called the halo effect is the unconscious alteration of judgementSimilarly, people have the reverse halo effect on GMOWhen they have unfair judgement, they will not trust information given to them

3What are They Worried about?Mutation, cancer, allergies, etcMakes bacteria resistantKills pollinatorsSource:[3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already Causing [4] Core Truths: 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked[5] Assessing the survival of transgenic plant DNA in the human gastrointestinal tract

MythsThese are myths that people are worried about GMOMostly are not proven to be trueIn fact, there are many studies that support that these are false

4Mutation, Cancer, Allergies, etcPeople are afraid that GMO contains hazardous proteinsThese proteins could cause negative health impactsRumors stated that Monsantos corn causes tumors in rats

Source: [4] Core Truths: 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked

Source: http://www.motherearthnews.com/~/media/Images/MEN/Editorial/Articles/Magazine%20Articles/2013/04-01/Longest-Running%20GMO%20Study%20Finds%20Tumors%20in%20Rats/GMO-Corn-Fed-Rat%20jpg.jpgFDA can block products that are not tested thoroughlyThere was a controversial study claimed that Monsantos GM corn causes tumor in ratsThe study was retracted for faulty test methodsHundreds of test was run to check the safety of GMO, and no evidence was found that they are dangerous

5Makes Bacteria ResistantMarker genes are used to mark transformed cellsMarker gens are often antibioticsWhat if harmful bacteria within us gain resistance from these genes?Source: [5] Assessing the survival of transgenic plant DNA in the human gastrointestinal tract

Source: http://health.9news.com/images/superbug.jpgIt is possible for genes to be exchanged without reproduction, this is called horizontal gene transferPeople are worried that GM crops would worsen the problem of bacterial resistanceResearch has shown that transgenes in GMO cannot survive in human digestive track, so this should not be an issue6Kills PollinatorsGM crops contain toxin (Bt poison) to kill pestThe toxin is said to cause populations of bees and butterflies to decreasehoneybees continue to decline at a rate of 30 percent per year and butterfly populations have reached an all-time lowSource:[3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already Causing [4] Core Truths: 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked

Source: [3] http://monarch-butterfly.info/images/monarch%20butterfly%20photo.gifHowever, no evidence shows that it is Bt poison thats killing themStudies suggest that butterflies are not exposed to toxic level of Bt poisonInstead, research have shown that herbicides can kill butterfly larvae by eliminating their food source7What else are They Worried about?Increase weed resistance (superweed)Increase pest resistance (superbug)Reduced biodiversityDrift (crop contamination)

Source: [3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already CausingPotential Problems with GMOThese are issues in GMO that actually has happened8Increase Weed ResistanceGMO are engineered to have high resistanceEncourages use of herbicidesWeeds start to develop resistanceNeed to use more herbicideSource: [3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already CausingSource: http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-8.07.15-AM.png

GMO encourages use of herbicide, instead of developing sustainable weed controlFarmers need more herbicides as resistance gets strongerCauses pollutionGM crops cause herbicide use to increase 25 percent per year9Increase Pest ResistanceGMO contain poison to kill pest (Bt toxin)Pests start to develop resistanceCreates superbugs resistant to crops implanted toxins and spray-on chemicalsSource: [3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already CausingSource: http://guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Pests-Wallpaper-650x367.jpg

As pests have stronger resistance they get harder to killAlso, once an insect has developed a resistance to one from of Bt, the likelihood increases that it will rapidly develop a cross-resistance to new forms of the toxin

Source: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/gmos/reportsandpublications/gmofactsheet.php10Reduced BiodiversityGM crops are genetically identicalIf widely used, reduces biodiversityThis stunts the ability of plants to adapt to changes naturallyCan cause potato famine again?Source: [3] 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already Causing11Drift (Contamination of Crops)It is impossible to prevent GM crop from cross pollinating to other placesWould organic crops still be organic then?Companies can sue farmers for growing their GM cropSource: [6] Percy Schmeiser - David versus Monsanto (documentary)Source: http://www.mindfully.org/GE/2004/Percy-Schmeiser-Persistent27may04.jpg

Percy Schmeiser was sued by Monsanto for growing their patented GM crops without permissionPercy, a canola breeder, was forced to get rid of all his seedsHowever, Monsanto claims that Scheiser deliberately harvest the contaminated crops and used the seeds the next yearIn this case, it may be Schmeisers fault, but organic farmers can suffer losses due to contamination12Benefits of GMOIf used correctly, GMO can have:Increased yieldReduced pollutionMore nutritionLonger shelf life

Source:[7] GMOs From a Farmers Perspective (US News)[8] A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNAWhile not the solution to food crisis, GMO definitely helps in many ways13Increased YieldGMO can be:Resistant to herbicideResistant to pestMature fasterSurvive better at harsh environmentResult?Can be planted at more placesLess crop die

Source:[7] GMOs From a Farmers Perspective (US News)[8] A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Source: http://weedcontrolfreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SugarbeetInjury.pngExamples:Casava immune to virusto fight brown streak disease in East AfricaSalmon that mature twice as fast by AquaBounty TechnologyPapaya immune to virus14Reduce PollutionGMO resistant to pest and herbicides means:Less usage of herbicide and pesticidePrevent water pollutionHerbicide tolerant crops reduce the need to plough fieldsLess erosionDecrease use of tractor (save fuel, less carbon emission)Source:[7] GMOs From a Farmers Perspective (US News)[9] Widespread adoption of Bt cotton and insecticide decrease promotes biocontrol servicesPotential harm:If overuse herbicide, can have resistanceIf overuse GM crop with pest resistance, pest will gain resistance tooNeed to regulate crop (with & without Bt toxin) cycle and change pesticide regularly15More NutritionGolden rice:Has gene from maize and soil bacteriaProduce beta carotene, which is needed to make vitamin ACan treat vitamin deficiency in Africa and AsiaSource: [8] A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Source: http://img.rt.com/files/episode/20/b8/f0/00/golden-rice.si.jpgDeveloped by nonprofit organizationsGolden Rice won the 2015 Patents for Humanity Awards

Source: http://www.uspto.gov/patent/initiatives/patents-humanity/patents-humanity-awards-2015#golden_rice16Longer Shelf LifeExample of crops that last longer:Tomato that has reverse copy of gene that softens itSwitch off browning of apples with an extra geneSource: [8] A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA

Source: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.thatsfit.ca/media/2008/07/gmo-food-400-300.jpg17Conclusion?Most of the problems are caused by faulty executionExcessive use of herbicides, exploitation of patent, etcThese are not problems of GMO, but human inducedThe shortcomings of GMOs are mostly mythsMaybe a few are true, but have yet to be proven

If used in the right way, GMO is beneficialPoison within GM crop seems to enhance pest resistance and maybe kill pollinators, but this problem can be avoided by pest management and alternating cropsThe problem with reduced biodiversity can be prevented by having different crops (even GM ones)

Strict enforcements of laws is required for safe GMO to be released into the market18Negative and Violent Response1999 Biotech lab in Michigan State University burned, years of work and $400,000 gone2011 Greenpeace members broke into CSIRO, an Australian scientific research organization and destroyed a genetically modified wheat plot2013 protesters in Philippines destroyed the golden rice plot meant to be testedSource:[10] Dr. Strangelunch [11] Greenpeace activists in costly GM protest (Sydney Morning Herald)[12] The True Story About Who Destroyed a Genetically Modified Rice Crop (Slate)

Source: http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/technology/future_tense/2013/08/130826_FT_GoldenRice01Field.jpg.CROP.original-original.jpgThese are just a few of the many vandalismsSuch acts are immoral and impedes advancement in scienceFarmers also suffer from losing their property19Do you used to disagree with GMO? What about now?How would farming in the future look like?What do You Say?

Source: http://i45.tinypic.com/a266us.jpgAs the future generation, our opinion will shape how GMO is perceived20[1]Langer, G. (2001, June 19). Poll: Skepticism of Genetically Modified Foods. ABC News. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97567[2]Konnikova, M. (2013, August 3). The Psychology of Distrusting G.M.O.s. The New Yorker. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-psychology-of-distrusting-g-m-o-s[3]Grant, S. (2013, June 22). 10 Problems Genetically Modified Foods Are Already Causing. Listverse. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://listverse.com/2013/06/22/10-problems-genetically-modified-foods-are-already-causing/[4]Borel, B. (2014, July 11). Core Truths: 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked. Popular Science. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.popsci.com/article/science/core-truths-10-common-gmo-claims-debunked [5]Netherwood, T., Martin-Orue, S. M., O'Donnell, A. G., Gockling, S., Graham, J., Mathers, J. C., & Gilbert, H. J. (January 01, 2004). Assessing the survival of transgenic plant DNA in the human gastrointestinal tract. Nature Biotechnology, 22, 2, 204-9

References21[6]David vs. Monsanto [Motion picture]. (2009). United States: Syndicado.[7]Johnson, M. (2014, April 25). GMOs From a Farmers Perspective. US News. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2014/04/25/gmos-from-a-farmers-perspective [8]Harmon, A. (2013, July 27). A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA. The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/science/a-race-to-save-the-orange-by-altering-its-dna.html?_r=0 [9]Lu, Y., Wu, K., Jiang, Y., Guo, Y., & Desneux, N. (January 01, 2012). Widespread adoption of Bt cotton and insecticide decrease promotes biocontrol services. Nature, 487, 7407, 362-5.[10]Bailey, R. (2001). Dr. Strangelunch. reason.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015, from http://reason.com/archives/2001/01/01/dr-strangelunch [11]Rudra, N. (2012, August 2). Greenpeace activists in costly GM protest. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.smh.com.au/environment/greenpeace-activists-in-costly-gm-protest-20120802-23i0t.html [12]Lynas, M. (2013, August 26). The True Story About Who Destroyed a Genetically Modified Rice Crop. Slate. Retrieved June 21, 2015, from http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/08/26/golden_rice_attack_in_philippines_anti_gmo_activists_lie_about_protest_and.html