RTW: Wed. Feb. 5 th What do you think malnutrition is? Read the last paragraph on page 374.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

Case Study! How can we prevent malnutrition? Hunger isn't just a stomach thing | World Vision

Golden Rice

What are genetically modified foods? Also called genetically modified organisms (GMO). Involves the insertion of DNA from one organism into another OR modification of an organism’s DNA in order to achieve a desired trait. Glowing Sheep With UV Light

Examples of GMO’s Frost Resistant Strawberries Long Lasting Tomatoes

Examples of GMO’s

Bt corn – corn that contains a chemical normally found in a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is toxic to insects but not to humans.

How is it done? By Recombinant DNA technology 1.Restriction enzymes are used to “cut” DNA segments from one genome. 2.DNA ligases are used to “paste” them into another genome. Foreign DNA

How are plants targeted? A particle gun is used to shoot small bits of metal coated with the gene into the plant. 7

Video Analysis 1.Work with the person sitting next to you. 1.One look for examples of benefits of GMO’s 2.One evaluate how bias the video is Monsanto Advertisement

Video Analysis 1.Work with the person sitting next to you. 1.One look for examples of risks of GMO’s 2.One evaluate how bias the video is GMO A Go Go!

Potential Environmental Hazards Reduced effectiveness of pesticides as insects become resistant to engineered toxins. Loss of biodiversity Harm to other organisms Pollen from Bt corn was shown to cause high mortality rates in monarch butterfly larvae (9). BUT follow-up studies have shown that the exposure levels in the fields are negligible (10). 11

Potential Environmental Hazards Gene Transfer to non-target species –Herbicide resistant plants and weeds could cross breed and create “superweeds” –To address this one could: Create sterile male plants that don’t produce pollen Engineer the plants so that pollen doesn’t contain the foreign genes Create buffer zones of non-GM crops around GM crops. The buffer crops would not be harvested.

Potential Human Health Risks Allergens –Genetic engineering could potential introduce or create allergens –For example, inserting genes from a nut into another plant could be dangerous for people who are allergic to nuts Unknown health risks –Biological processes involve a lot of INTERACTIONS –It is often difficult to identify every possible interaction.

Economic Hazards Elimination of competition –GM seeds are patented Suicide seeds –Plants with sterile seeds that are infertile are created –Farmers are forced to buy seeds every year However, some companies have reduced costs or donated GM seeds to impoverished nations.

Creating a balance So are GM foods a good or bad thing? It depend on each individual case. Consumers, the government and scientists should be responsible for weighing the benefits against the costs. Improved Nutrition Resistance to disease Reduced use of chemicals Environmental risks Health risks Economic risks

In your notebook… Complete the following sentences: 1.“GMO’s are a risk to society because….” 2.“GMO’s are a risk to the environment because…” 3.GMO’s are a risk to me because…” Be sure to support your answer with examples!

In your notebook… Complete the following sentences: 1.“GMO’s are beneficial to society because….” 2.“GMO’s are beneficial to the environment because…” 3.GMO’s are beneficial to me because…” Be sure to support your answer with examples!

GMO Awareness Campaign You are hired as a marketing agent to raise awareness of GMO’s 1.PICK A SIDE (GMO’s are beneficial to society OR GMO’s are a risk to society) 2.Create a bumper sticker to educate others on your point of view 1.You need a catchy slogan 2.Pictures AND color! 3.On the back, provide three examples (evidence) supporting your cause. List where you found your evidence.

Sources images/corn.jpg 3. opg/images/dna.jpg 4. GJOA/haven.html 5. Fruitber.html 6.www2.utmb.edu/scccb/mouse/ images/microinjection.jpg 7.ss.jircas.affrc.go.jp/engpage/ jarq/32-4/hagio/fig4.htm Transgenic pollen harms monarch larvae (Nature, Vol 399, No 6733, p 214, May 1999) 10.GM corn poses little threat to monarch (Nature Biotechnology, Vol 17, p 1154, Dec 1999) 11. monarch.html