GM? Never heard of it? Uh-oh… you’d better watch out!

GM foods, or GMO, is a term which has been discussed for several years. It’s an invention related to biotechnology. GM is a contraction of “Genetically Modified.” ( 基因改造 ) And GMO means “Genetically-Modified Organism.” ( 基因改造有機體 ) But what is it after all?

Where is GM food from? Some crops, plants are modified in the lab to gain desired traits such as “increased resistance to herbicides” or “improved nutrition.” In the past, to improve the quality of crops is very time-consuming and not all successful. But right now, scientists have the techniques to combine different genes from different organisms to achieve the exact traits we need. We call this kind of profession “Genetic engineering.”

An example of GM food: 1.Find a plant which can survive the severe hot weather. 2.Find out the gene which carries the character. 3.Insert the gene into a wheat cell. 4.When the wheat grows, it is able to survive better in dry environment.

Some photos of GMOs

Which countries are planting GM crops? the US (68%), Argentina (23%), Canada (7%), China (1%) and other 9 countries. (by 2000) In 1996, only 4.3 million acres were used to grow GM crops. By 2000, it increased to 109 million. And about 99 million acres of GM farm were in US and Argentina alone.

What are the most widely grown GM crops? Corns Soybeans Cotton Rapeseed Potatoes 82 %

Why are GM foods’ advantages? More cost-effective (pesticide/ time-saving/ drought ) Can benefit human health Could help the developing countries Cut down on pesticide and herbicide May help preserve natural habitats

However, controversy must come along…

What are people worried? Could increase pesticide and herbicide instead Could damage non-GM farmers Have unpredictable health risks (allergy) Mainly benefits big biotechnology companies (patent) Could affect biodiversity

People against GM food say…

Very ironic…

Protesters over the world…

There’s even a new word invented! Frankenfood (n.) Food derived from genetically modified (GM) plants and The word comes from a famous novel character: Frankenstein

Frankenstein?

The answers 1.Genetically, Modified 2.Biotechnology 3.Scientists combine genes with the traits we need. 4.Genetic engineering 5.1) Find a plant which can survive the severe hot weather. 2)Find out the gene which carries the character. 3)Insert the gene into a wheat cell. 4)When the wheat grows, it is able to survive better in dry environment.

6. The US (68%), Argentina (23%) million acres 9.corns, soybeans, 82% 10. a) More cost-effective b) Can benefit human health c) Could help the developing countries d) Cut down on pesticide and herbicide e) May help preserve natural habitats

11. a) Could increase pesticide and herbicide instead b) Could damage non-GM farmers c) Have unpredictable health risks (allergy) d) Mainly benefits big biotechnology companies e) Could affect biodiversity 12. Frankenfood