Genetically Modified Foods

What are GMOs? What does GMO stands for? – Genetically Modified Organisms GMO Definition: – Genetically modified plants and animals created by moving desirable genes from one organism or species to another GMOs are also known as Transgenic organisms

 Genetically modified food can help decrease world hunger & disease  Golden rice:  is rice that has been genetically altered using genes from daffodils and a bacterium.  The result is rice that has high vitamin A and help prevent blindness

Golden Rice

Herbicide-resistant Crops… Crops are genetically altered to make them resistant to weeds & this decreases the amount of chemical herbicides that have to be used (good for the environment!)

Insect-resistant Crops Created when scientists took a gene from a soil bacterium, modified it, and introduced it to plants What HAPPENS? Transgenic plants can now produce a toxin to kill specific types of insects

Top 5 Countries who use GM crops 1)USA (63%) 2)Argentina (21%) 3)Canada (6%) Canola, Corn & Soybeans 4)Brazil (4%) 5)China (1%) 6)India

Genetically Modified Animals *They are developed to grow faster and resist disease*  Transgenic cows produce more milk on less feed

Genetically Modified Animals  Sheep, cows and pigs can even be modified to produce higher levels of protein = more meat.

“Frankenfoods”

What are some arguments against GMOs? “Frankenfoods”

Arguments….. The development of “Superbugs”, which are resistant to pesticides Long term effects of GMOs are unknown Who owns agricultural advancements? -What about developing countries? -Farmers need to purchase hybrid seeds?

Terminator Plants These plants are genetically engineered so that they kill their own seeds Farmers need to purchase new seeds every year, instead of allowing their crops to pollinate naturally

Transgenic Fish What could happen if Transgenic fish escaped?

Europe and Transgenic Foods… In North America, many of us are not aware that we are eating transgenic foods as labeling laws DO NOT EXIST In Europe, labeling laws require GMO foods to be labeled Europeans are far less accepting of Transgenic Foods

Time for a Video…. Take out a piece of paper and make a T-chart Pros of GMOsCons of GMOs