Genetically Genetically Modified Modified

FoodsFoods

What is a Genetically What is a Genetically Modified (GM) Food?Modified (GM) Food?

Foods that contain an added gene Foods that contain an added gene sequencesequence

Foods that have a deleted gene Foods that have a deleted gene sequencesequence

Animal products from animals fed Animal products from animals fed GM feedGM feed

Products produced by GM Products produced by GM organisms organisms

Why are foods Why are foods genetically modified?genetically modified?

Genetic engineering offers a rapid Genetic engineering offers a rapid and precise method of altering and precise method of altering organisms as compared to organisms as compared to traditional methods that are slow traditional methods that are slow and inaccurate.and inaccurate.

Common GM FoodsCommon GM Foods

VegetablesVegetables TomatoesTomatoes PotatoesPotatoes RiceRice CheeseCheese MeatMeat

How is genetic How is genetic modification possible? modification possible?

The components The components of DNA are the of DNA are the same in all same in all organisms. organisms.

Sequences that Sequences that code for proteins code for proteins can be moved can be moved from one from one organism to organism to another.another.

Possible BenefitsPossible Benefitsof GM Foodsof GM Foods

Easing of world Easing of world hungerhunger Development of crops Development of crops

that can be grown in that can be grown in marginal soilmarginal soil

Reduced strain on Reduced strain on nonrenewable nonrenewable resourcesresources Development of Development of

drought resistant cropsdrought resistant crops Development of salt-Development of salt-

tolerant crops tolerant crops Development of crops Development of crops

that make more that make more efficient use of efficient use of nitrogen and other nitrogen and other nutrientsnutrients

Possible BenefitsPossible Benefits of GM Foods of GM Foods

Reduced use of Reduced use of pesticides and pesticides and herbicidesherbicides►Development of Development of

pest resistant pest resistant cropscrops

►Reduced herbicide Reduced herbicide use is better for use is better for the environment the environment and reduces costs and reduces costs for farmers for farmers

Possible Benefits Possible Benefits of GM Foodsof GM Foods

Improved crop qualityImproved crop quality Development of frost Development of frost

resistant crops resistant crops Development of disease Development of disease

resistant cropsresistant crops Development of flood Development of flood

resistant cropsresistant crops

Improved nutritional Improved nutritional qualityquality Development of foods Development of foods

designed to meet specific designed to meet specific nutritional goals nutritional goals

Who makes sure GM Who makes sure GM foods are safe?foods are safe?

Government Government agencies regulate agencies regulate GM foodsGM foods GM foods in the GM foods in the

United States are United States are required to be labeled required to be labeled only if the nutritional only if the nutritional value is changed or a value is changed or a new allergen is new allergen is introduced.introduced.

Possible Risks Possible Risks of GM Foodsof GM Foods

Insects might Insects might develop resistance develop resistance to pesticide-to pesticide-producing GM producing GM crops crops

Herbicide-tolerant Herbicide-tolerant crops may cross-crops may cross-pollinate weeds, pollinate weeds, resulting in resulting in "superweeds""superweeds"

Possible Risks Possible Risks for GM Foodsfor GM Foods

Certain gene Certain gene products may be products may be allergens, thus allergens, thus causing harm to causing harm to human health human health

There may be There may be unintended harm unintended harm to wildlife and to wildlife and beneficial insects beneficial insects

Photo courtesy of T. W. Davies, Cal. Acad. of Sciences.

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Homework Homework AssignmentAssignment

How do you feel about GM foods? How do you feel about GM foods? Are they beneficial or harmful?Are they beneficial or harmful? Compare and contrast articles of your Compare and contrast articles of your

choice from the following web sites. choice from the following web sites. After reading articles from both web After reading articles from both web sites, use your favorite Internet search sites, use your favorite Internet search engine to find more information on the engine to find more information on the GM food debate. GM food debate.

www.junkscience.comwww.junkscience.com www.greenpeace.org

Write a short report on your views Write a short report on your views about GM foods.about GM foods.