Genetically modified Genetically modified foodfood

The genetic The genetic modificationmodification

Change of the genes of a plant in a Change of the genes of a plant in a laboratory laboratory

Insertion of chemical units which Insertion of chemical units which carry the information of special carry the information of special characteristicscharacteristics

AimAim

Due to genetical modification the Due to genetical modification the DNA of a cell changesDNA of a cell changes

Controlled change of the DNA Controlled change of the DNA aim: aim: gaining a desired gene combination gaining a desired gene combination e.g. better harvest e.g. better harvest

GeneralGeneral

Mutation mainly of corn, soy beans, cotton Mutation mainly of corn, soy beans, cotton and oil seed rapeand oil seed rape

Requirement to label genetically modified Requirement to label genetically modified food in the EUfood in the EU

Only small amouts of genetically modified Only small amouts of genetically modified food in the EU food in the EU exception: genetically exception: genetically modified cornmodified corn

Introduction of genetically modified plants Introduction of genetically modified plants to USA, Argentina, Brasil, Canada, China to USA, Argentina, Brasil, Canada, China and Indiaand India

Pros Pros ContrasContras

Faster growthFaster growth Loss of genetical Loss of genetical biodiversitybiodiversity

Insensitivity against vermin, Insensitivity against vermin, pesticides and weed killerpesticides and weed killer

Unwanted production of Unwanted production of weedweed

Improved quality of foodImproved quality of food Negative effects on the Negative effects on the environment environment

Insensitivity to illnesses Insensitivity to illnesses Possible disadvantages for Possible disadvantages for the health of the usersthe health of the users

Bigger harvestBigger harvest Blockage of ecological Blockage of ecological balance balance

Improving of the plant‘s Improving of the plant‘s nutrient supplynutrient supply

Bringing about new toxins, Bringing about new toxins, causing new allergies causing new allergies

Diminishing use of fertilizers Diminishing use of fertilizers Damage to useful insects Damage to useful insects and soil organisms and soil organisms

Better growth even under Better growth even under unfavourable terms unfavourable terms

Dependence of expensive Dependence of expensive seeds which must be seeds which must be

imported in developing imported in developing countriescountries

Better harvest Better harvest Possible illnessesPossible illnesses

More foodMore food Destruction of the world and Destruction of the world and its ecological balance its ecological balance