GMOs

Organic Foods Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods of organic farming -- that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods of organic farming -- that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.organic farming pesticideschemical fertilizersorganic farming pesticideschemical fertilizers

GMO’s A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have naturally. A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have naturally.GMO OR OR The movement of genes from one organism to another The movement of genes from one organism to another

What is a GMO? Scientists can now transfer genes between species that otherwise would be incapable of mating, for example, a goat and a spider. Scientists can now transfer genes between species that otherwise would be incapable of mating, for example, a goat and a spider. Little is known about the long-term effects of such manipulations on both humans and the environment. Little is known about the long-term effects of such manipulations on both humans and the environment. While some see GMOs as the way to the future, others believe that scientists have gone too far, tinkering with the essence of life. While some see GMOs as the way to the future, others believe that scientists have gone too far, tinkering with the essence of life.

Based on what we do know…. Benefits Crops Crops Enhanced taste and quality (sweeter strawberries) Enhanced taste and quality (sweeter strawberries) Reduced maturation time (double profit for farmers) Reduced maturation time (double profit for farmers) Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides (Canola resistant to canola worm) Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides (Canola resistant to canola worm) New products and growing techniques (apple- pears) New products and growing techniques (apple- pears) Papayas resistant to ring-spot worm Papayas resistant to ring-spot worm Allows producers to respond to consumer demands Allows producers to respond to consumer demands

Based on what we do know…. BenefitsAnimals Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency Better natural waste management Better natural waste management More efficient processing More efficient processing Farmed fish mature faster Farmed fish mature faster

Based on what we do know…. Benefits: Environment Environment ‘Friendly’ bioherbicides and bioinsecticides ‘Friendly’ bioherbicides and bioinsecticides Conservation of water Conservation of water New sources of energy (Corn) New sources of energy (Corn) Decreases soil erosion Decreases soil erosion Bioprocessing for forestry products Bioprocessing for forestry products Better natural waste management Better natural waste management More efficient processing More efficient processing

Based on what we do know…. Benefits Benefits Consumer/Society Consumer/Society Increased food security for growing populations Increased food security for growing populations Better taste and quality of food (crispier grapes) Better taste and quality of food (crispier grapes) Longer shelf life (apples last for 3 weeks) Longer shelf life (apples last for 3 weeks) External and internal aesthetic appeal (seedless watermelon) External and internal aesthetic appeal (seedless watermelon) Allergy-free products (nuts and milk) Allergy-free products (nuts and milk) Higher nutritional value Higher nutritional value Less saturated fat in oil Less saturated fat in oil “golden rice” enriched with vitamin A and Iron “golden rice” enriched with vitamin A and Iron Bananas with vaccine Bananas with vaccine

Based on what we do know…. Controversies Safety Potential human health impact: allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects. Potential Environmental impact: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms (e.g. soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity Access and Intellectual Property Domination of world food production by a few companies Increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries Biopiracy-foreign exploitation of natural resources

Based on what we do know…. Controversies Ethics Ethics Violation of natural organisms’ basic values Violation of natural organisms’ basic values Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa Stress for animal Stress for animal Labeling Labeling Not mandatory in some countries (e.g. U.S., Canada) Not mandatory in some countries (e.g. U.S., Canada) Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts Society Society New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries

What are the Issues? Do we know the full impact that GMOs can have? Do we know the full impact that GMOs can have? To label or not to label? To label or not to label? Who owns the food chain? Who owns the food chain? engineering/mad-science engineering/mad-science

Labelling GMOs Do you know what is in your food? GMOs are found extensively in many food products. Chances are you have already eaten GMOs. Do you know what is in your food? GMOs are found extensively in many food products. Chances are you have already eaten GMOs.GMOs The soybean is by far the world's most cultivated transgenic plant, followed by corn, cotton, and canola. The soybean is by far the world's most cultivated transgenic plant, followed by corn, cotton, and canola. The United States, Argentina, Canada and China, in that order, are the biggest producers. Although these practices primarily provide food for animals, a small percentage also lands on your plate! The United States, Argentina, Canada and China, in that order, are the biggest producers. Although these practices primarily provide food for animals, a small percentage also lands on your plate!

Labelling GMOs Different countries have adopted different approaches to the touchy topic of labelling GMOs. In Europe, the labelling of GMOs is obligatory, and caution prevails. When in doubt, do not eat it. Products are labelled, and it is left to the consumer to make their choice. In Europe, the labelling of GMOs is obligatory, and caution prevails. When in doubt, do not eat it. Products are labelled, and it is left to the consumer to make their choice. In Canada and the United States, the labelling of GMOs is optional. If a GMO is essentially equivalent to a non-GMO, then why label it? In Canada and the United States, the labelling of GMOs is optional. If a GMO is essentially equivalent to a non-GMO, then why label it?

Identifying Genetically Modified Foods (9:25) Identifying Genetically Modified Foods (9:25) Food Fight (7:23) Dueling Over GM Wheat (17:59) Dueling Over GM Wheat (17:59)

David Suzuki speaks out against genetically modified food Broadcast Date: Oct. 17, 1999 David Suzuki speaks out against genetically modified food Broadcast Date: Oct. 17, 1999 David Suzuki speaks out against genetically modified food David Suzuki speaks out against genetically modified food Canada's foremost environmental conscience says GM food is bad science. Canada's foremost environmental conscience says GM food is bad science. Government rejects bill for mandatory labelling of GM food Broadcast Date: Oct. 17, 2001 Government rejects bill for mandatory labelling of GM food Broadcast Date: Oct. 17, 2001 Government rejects bill for mandatory labelling of GM food Government rejects bill for mandatory labelling of GM food Parliament defeats Liberal MP Charles Caccia's private member's bill. Parliament defeats Liberal MP Charles Caccia's private member's bill.

Containment of GMOs GMO Containment (9:54) GMO Containment (9:54) GMO Containment GMO Containment