1. Genetically Modified Foods

2. What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?
Organisms created when scientists move the genes they want from one organism to another.

3. How is that different from breeding?
Genetic Engineering
Farmers and breeders take traits they like, and try to put them into similar species.
Only works with similar species.
Much slower process
Ie: If a breeder wants a smaller dog, he mates two small dogs together. Do that enough, and you get a chihuahua.
Scientists take traits they like, and put them into any species they want
Can work with any species (plants mixed with animals, etc)
Faster process.
Ie: If a scientist wants to make wheat resistant to an herbicide, he/she might mix animal DNA into the plant.

4. What are the benefits? Can raise food that:
Is more nutritious (put in nutrients we might otherwise not get, like extra vitamins)
Grows faster
Is more resistant to diseases or insects
Uses less resources (like water) to grow

5. What are the drawbacks? GMOs are sometimes called “Frankenfoods”
Some people worry that GMOs might not be safe
Using more pesticides might make stronger bugs
GMO foods can be owned by corporations

6. Who uses GMOs?
In 2003, six countries grew 99% of the world’s GMO food.
In % of the 76,000,000 hectares of soybeans planted around the world were transgenic , or genetically modified
Between 1996 and 2003, the global area of GMO farms increased from 1.7 million to 67.7 million hectares.

7. How does it work?

8. What’s the debate?

9. What do you think? Do you feel comfortable eating GMOs?
Do you feel you have enough information to make a good choice?
How should the Canadian government react to concerns about GMOs?