Genetically Genetically Modified FoodsModified Foods

What is GMO’sWhat is GMO’s

Genetically modified organisms.

What is a What is a Genetically Genetically

Modified (GM) Modified (GM) Food?Food?

Foods that contain an added Foods that contain an added gene sequencegene sequenceFoods that have a deleted Foods that have a deleted gene sequencegene sequenceAnimal products from animals Animal products from animals fed GM feedfed GM feedProducts produced by GM Products produced by GM organismsorganisms

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

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

Common GM FoodsCommon GM Foods VegetablesVegetables

TomatoesTomatoes

PotatoesPotatoes

RiceRice

CheeseCheese

MeatMeat

In the early 1990’s

the First

commercial GMO

was the tomato in.

Europe's response

to Genetically

Modified foods.

Short HistoryShort History

videovideohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAP6ZtfP9ZQ&safety_mode=true&perv=jAP6ZtfP9ZQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=activesist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

How is genetic How is genetic modification modification

possible? 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 organism from one organism to another.to another.

How can DNA be moved How can DNA be moved from one organism to from one organism to

another?another?

Its quite simple,

REALLY!!!

How can DNA be moved How can DNA be moved from one organism to from one organism to

another?another?

►Find an organism with the desired trait

►Isolate the gene sequence that codes for the desired trait

►Insert the gene sequence into the genome of the plant cell

How can DNA be moved How can DNA be moved from one organism to from one organism to

another?another?

►Allow the genetically altered cell to grow into a plant

►Allow the plant to propagate

How can DNA be moved How can DNA be moved from one organism to from one organism to

another?another? A vector can carry A vector can carry

DNA. The vector can DNA. The vector can be a pellet from a be a pellet from a gene gun. Viruses gene gun. Viruses and bacteria also and bacteria also can be utilized to can be utilized to transfer genes.transfer genes.

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 drought resistant cropscrops

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 Who makes sure GM foods are GM foods are

safe?safe? Government agencies Government agencies regulate GM foodsregulate GM foods GM foods in the GM foods in the

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

Possible Risks Possible Risks of GM Foodsof GM Foods

Insects might Insects might develop develop resistance to resistance to pesticide-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 unintended harm to wildlife harm to wildlife and beneficial and beneficial insects insects

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

Health Hazards of GMOHealth Hazards of GMO

Laboratory animals fed a diet of GM

foods

&&

GM supplement

killed dozens and left 5-10 thousand sick or disabled.