1. GMO Development and the Cost of GMOs in our Food Supply
Lyndsey Shukers

2. What is a GMO
Genetically Modified Organism-An organism that has had its genetic code modified in a way that does not occur by natural processes- World Health Organization

6. The History of Gene Modification
Humans began to breed selectively for crop traits- 12,000 BC
- Developed sweet potatoes, wheat, cabbage, and corn

7. The History of Genetic Modification

8. The History of GMOs
Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen make the first successful gene slices- 1972
Bacteriophage resistance

9. GMO Controversy
Discussions about the safety and ethical integrity of GMO production began in the 1970s and continue to this day.

10. Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply
Increased deaths from food allergies and cancer
Prevalence of food allergies have increased by 500% since 1990
Small children are at highest risk of death from anaphylactic shock due to spontaneous allergic reaction
Cancer rates have increased 57% since 1990
Chronic inflammation and hormone disruptors have been identified as common factors
Extremely rare types of cancer are becoming common in new populations
Increased intolerance to wheat products
400% increase in diagnoses of celiac disease in the past 20 years
Correlates strongly to increase in planting of GMO wheat with higher gluten content

11. Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply
Mass die-off of bees and other pollinators
Honey bees and other pollinators are being put on the endangered species list
“Spontaneous hive collapse”
Traced back to insect resistant crops and increases in the use of Round-up
The continuation of the human race is dependent upon bees.

12. Consequences of Adding GMOs to Our Food Supply
Destruction of mineral content in soil
High yielding GMO crops leech minerals from the soil faster than it can be replaced
WHO now recommends a multi-mineral supplement daily
Osteoporosis is on the rise in younger populations
Micronutrient deficiencies contribute to the Obesity epidemic
Changes in the pH of soil are making farming more difficult and contribute to “acid rain”

13. Arguments for Gene Modification of Food Crops
Crop resistance and increased yield feed more people and lower the prices of produce for consumers
Genetic Modification has created crops that spoil more slowly, increasing profits for grocers and reducing food waste
Lower water content tomato
GMO crops allow farmers to use less environmentally damaging chemicals
GMOs allow farming in otherwise inhospitable climates
Winter wheat

14. Legal Problems for Farmers
Large corporations own patents on GMO seeds, leaving growers to navigate corporate law in order to operate their farms
Saving seeds is illegal
Farmers can be sued for infringement if their seeds accidentally pollinate another farmers crops
A farmer can be forced by law to destroy an entire season of crops if his field is accidentally contaminated by GMO pollen
Corporations can determine to whom farmers are allowed to sell GMO crops
Gives corporations tremendous power to set crop prices and lobby in Washington in order to outcompete smaller, independent growers and avoid GMO labeling laws
“Specialty crops”

15. Monsanto Monsanto is the largest producer of GMO crops in the world
9 companies own 98% of food production in the world and Monsanto owns 7 of them
Their annual profit is higher than the Gross National Profit of the United States, Mexico, and Canada combined

16. When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money,-Cree Nation Proverb