To GM or Not to GM? By: Francesca Trianni, Ya’arah Pinhas, Cecilia Hackerson and Ben Barczewski

Background 1953: Genetic code and structure of DNA discovered Early 1980’s: Genetically modified plants were first created Early 1990’s: First GM foods available to the public Post 1990’s: GM crops have dominated U.S. agriculture

Benefits Improved resistance to disease, pests, herbicides, cold, draught, salinity, and disease. Monsanto & Herbicides “Quality traits” such as flavor, aesthetics, and shelf-life FLAVR SAVR Tomato Nutrition Golden Rice - enhanced Vitamin A Environmental Impacts Overall Benefits: Increased yield, and profitability More food = less hungry people More nutritional food = less malnourished people Increased global food security

Threats to Biodiversity Transgenic Organisms without cultivation Gene Flow Indirect Effects Loss of biodiversity and alteration of soil ecosystems Changes in Viral Diseases Evolution of Resistance

Policy Three Regulatory Agencies FDA, USDA, EPA StarLink Case Study Government’s Role in regulating food safety Proposed Legislation Genetically Engineered Safety Act-H.R Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act- H.R Geneticaly Engineered Technology Farmer Protection Act-H.R. 6637

Future Three possible future scenarios “Rosy Future” “Continental Islands” “Biotech Goes Niche” Conclusions By 2050 population will reach 9 to 13 billion Important to balance sustainability with growing enough food Biotech could be a valuable resource to accomplish this Caution needs to be used to mitigate negative effects