GMO Development and the Cost of GMOs in our Food Supply Lyndsey Shukers

What is a GMO Genetically Modified Organism-An organism that has had its genetic code modified in a way that does not occur by natural processes- World Health Organization

The History of Gene Modification Humans began to breed selectively for crop traits- 12,000 BC - Developed sweet potatoes, wheat, cabbage, and corn

The History of Genetic Modification

The History of GMOs Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen make the first successful gene slices- 1972 Bacteriophage resistance

GMO Controversy Discussions about the safety and ethical integrity of GMO production began in the 1970s and continue to this day.

Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply Increased deaths from food allergies and cancer Prevalence of food allergies have increased by 500% since 1990 Small children are at highest risk of death from anaphylactic shock due to spontaneous allergic reaction Cancer rates have increased 57% since 1990 Chronic inflammation and hormone disruptors have been identified as common factors Extremely rare types of cancer are becoming common in new populations Increased intolerance to wheat products 400% increase in diagnoses of celiac disease in the past 20 years Correlates strongly to increase in planting of GMO wheat with higher gluten content

Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply Mass die-off of bees and other pollinators Honey bees and other pollinators are being put on the endangered species list “Spontaneous hive collapse” Traced back to insect resistant crops and increases in the use of Round-up The continuation of the human race is dependent upon bees.

Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply Destruction of mineral content in soil High yielding GMO crops leech minerals from the soil faster than it can be replaced WHO now recommends a multi-mineral supplement daily Osteoporosis is on the rise in younger populations Micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the Obesity epidemic Changes in the pH of soil are making farming more difficult and contribute to “acid rain”

Arguments for Gene Modification of Food Crops Crop resistance and increased yield feed more people and lower the prices of produce for consumers Genetic Modification has created crops that spoil more slowly, increasing profits for grocers and reducing food waste Lower water content tomato GMO crops allow farmers to use less environmentally damaging chemicals GMOs allow farming in otherwise inhospitable climates Winter wheat

Legal Problems for Farmers Large corporations own patents on GMO seeds, leaving growers to navigate corporate law in order to operate their farms Saving seeds is illegal Farmers can be sued for infringement if their seeds accidentally pollinate another farmers crops A farmer can be forced by law to destroy an entire season of crops if his field is accidentally contaminated by GMO pollen Corporations can determine to whom farmers are allowed to sell GMO crops Gives corporations tremendous power to set crop prices and lobby in Washington in order to outcompete smaller, independent growers and avoid GMO labeling laws “Specialty crops”

Monsanto Monsanto is the largest producer of GMO crops in the world 9 companies own 98% of food production in the world and Monsanto owns 7 of them Their annual profit is higher than the Gross National Profit of the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined

When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money,-Cree Nation Proverb