Genetically Modified Crops Healthy Food or Frankenfood ENGR 100w What is genetic engineering Change DNA of a living organism Splice a gene from one organism to the chromosome of another Create genetically modified organisms GMOs or transgenic organisms Corn resistance to corn borer Cotton built in resistance to insects Tomatoes Flavr Savr Soybeans World malnutrition Insufficient calories need 2200 Kcal day Single food diet Insufficient protein Insufficient vitamins Insufficient minerals Children disproportionately affected Source Cunningham Cunningham 2006 Why genetic engineering Improve yield more production per acre Resist drought frost pests or disease Thrive in salty or low nutrient soil Improve nutritional content Vitamins vitamin A prevents blindness Produce oils or plastics Produce vaccines Pest resistance Plants with genes for endogenous insecticides Use Bacillus thuringiensis Bt bacterium makes toxins lethal to certain insects Bt gene transferred to corn potatoes cotton Farmers reduce insecticide spraying Bt containing crops banned in Europe Potential problems Cross breed with wild relatives Create super weeds Reduce biodiversity Affect humans negatively Toxins Allergies Create resistant varieties of pests Seeds costly create uncompetitive market GMOs highly controversial Proponents Reduce hunger Increase nutritional value of foods Improve standard of living Reduce application of toxic chemicals Create naturally available vaccines Opponents Become pests themselves Reduce biodiversity Accelerate pesticide resistance in insects Produce toxic residue In soils water or food Create economic barrier that drives small farmers out of business The story of StarLink StarLink invented to resist a corn pest Only approved for animal feed Not approved for human because of potential allergic reaction 2001 StarLink found in consumer products Taco Bell taco shells 110 million class action law suit StarLink withdrawn from market Roundup Ready crops Monsanto Resistant to treatment with Roundup Roundup is a herbicide weed killer Farmers can spray entire fields with Roundup but GMO crops will survive Less tillage called conservation tillage Leaves more plant material in fields which can reduce erosion and soil compaction GMOs grown worldwide 4 1 5 3 2 The five countries producing more than 95 of commercialized GMO Other countries producing commercialized GMO Only experimental crops Source http urbngreen com s gmo U S World leader in GMOs U S Statistics 2004 85 soybeans 76 cotton 45 corn 50 papayas 54 canola rape seed Number of acres worldwide planted with GM crops source ISAAA Global Review of Transgenic Crops 2003 Genetically modified animals not yet approved for consumption Atlantic salmon Grows twice as fast as native salmon Growth hormone genes from oceanic pout Cattle Produce milk with more calcium and certain proteins that improve processing Pigs High in omega 3 fatty acids which are essential to normal growth in children Normally found in fish Have you eaten foods with GMOs Contained GM ingredients in 1999 but may or may not now Oreo cookies Coca Cola Heinz Ketchup McDonalds hamburger buns Butterfingers Jelly bellies It is really hard to find out which brands contain GM ingredients Labeling In United States labeling of GM food is voluntary Mandatory labeling would require all US manufacturers to test all food for GM Common practice in Europe Costly Potentially large impact on international trade
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