Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Elina Tserlin and Arin Belden Hobart and William Smith Colleges Science and Cognition Geneva, NY International Concerns Regarding Bt Corn

Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO) Establishment of the United Nations – Initiated in 1945 – International nutrition levels – Standards of living Goals – Alleviate hunger and poverty – Provide food security – Preserve natural resources Functions – Gather and analyze information – Organize programs – Serve as clearinghouse Slide 2

FAO’ s Views Toward Genetically Engineered Crops: Bt Corn FAO – Voice of poverty-struck nations – Helps cease famine – Provides to needy Bt corn – Sent to feed starving nations – Higher crop yield – Vast impacts on environment Slide 3

Current Endeavors Present in Impoverished Countries Mexico – Birthplace of Maize – Stressful Farming Conditions – Contaminated with genetically modified DNA 60% in the villages of Oaxaca and Puebla 1 India – Transfer of genes from GM crops to wild relatives – Super weeds evolve resistant cannot be killed by pesticides – Competition with food for water, nutrients, light 5% of crop loss 2 Slide 4 1 von der Weid, Times of India, 2001

Spread of Bt Corn and Its Effect on Native Species Bt Corn – Sent to starving nations by US – Often importing countries not aware of GM crop – Potential Harm to Starving Individuals 3 Consequences – Cross Pollination – Genes unintentionally spread to other maize species – native species gets lost Slide 5 3 Benbrook, 2002

Biodiversity and Its Importance to Nations Biodiversity – Variability among organisms – Crucial for alternatives – Equilibrium Native Species – Tolerant Native parasites Native temperatures – Needed to fall back on – Allows country to have its own crops 4 independence Slide 6 4 Quist et al., 2001

FAO’s Evaluation of Bt Corn as International Matter Advantages of Bt corn – Increase agricultural production – Meet world’s food demands – Supports non-developing countries Disadvantages of Bt corn – Destroys native plants – Loss of Biodiversity – No fallback Slide 7

Actions of FAO Regarding Bt Corn Forum – Hold meetings for international discussions – Analyze new technological advances Inform nations – Hold radio broadcasts where farmers share techniques 5 – Projects that check efficiency of soil – Provide field training courses Final Decision – Placed in hands of individual governments Slide 8 5 International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting, 2001

References Slide 9 1. Von der Weid, J.M. (2002, February 6). Letter to Dr. Jacques Diouf, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, pp Scientists Fear Invasion of “Super Weeds.” (2001, November 12). The Times of India 3. Benbrook, C. (2002, September 27). Letter to Distinguished Delegates from Zambia, Benbrook Consulting Services, pp Quist D, Chapela, I. (2001). Transgenic DNA Introgressed into Traditional Maize Landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico. Nature, 414, International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting (2001). Retreived from