Genetically Modified Organisms http://www. masternewmedia

What are genetically modified organisms (GMO, GMF, Frankenfoods) Also known as transgenic Crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. Create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy.

What could we do with this kind of technology?

More possibilities

GMO issues are real and in your grocery store thanks to Erika Lowery

Advantages of GMOs Pest resistance Herbicide tolerance Disease resistance Cold tolerance Drought/Salinity tolerance Nutrition Phytoremediation (clean up heavy metals in soils – gm poplar trees) Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals

What are some of the criticisms of GMO foods? Environmental Hazards Unintended harm to other organisms – Monarch butterflies and milkweed/corn pollen Reduced effectiveness of pesticides Gene transfer to non-target species Human Health Risks Allergies Unknown/Unintended health effects Economic Concerns Expense and time bring GMO plants to market Patents and control by agrichemical companies

How are GMO/GMF/Transgenic Foods Labeled? Agribusiness firms believe labeling should be voluntary – They say, “Let the markets decide!” Consumer groups say labeling should be mandatory – They say, “I want to know what I am eating!” FDA’s current position grounded in the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act… GRAS Generally Recognized As Safe What do you think about this?

Why did Monsanto, PepsiCo and Nestlé spend over $45M to defeat Prop 37 in California? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/07/prop-37-californian-gm-labelling Approximately 90% of US corn and soybean production is GMO

Growth of GE Crops1996-2009 http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/

GMO Cartoons to Interpret http://s4.hubimg.com/u/46935_f260.jpg

http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/200 http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2008/articles/GMF/GMF_files/image001.jpg 8/articles/GMF/GMF_files/image001.jpg

http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v2/n3/images/nrg0301_217a_i1.jpg

http://weblog. helpware http://weblog.helpware.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/monsanto_labelling.jpg

http://www. cartoonstock http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban128l.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/gmo-patent-pending-01.jpg

http://earthhopenetwork.net/frankenfood_monsanto_hungry_man.jpg

Grocery Store Wars http://www.green.tv/store_wars

And,now… www.themeatrix.com