1. Genetically Modified Foods v. Organic Foods
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Genetically Modified Foods v. Organic Foods
Monsanto: Dangers of Genetically Modified Corn
Germany has now become the sixth country in the European Union to take a stand against GM corn — a wise move that unfortunately the United States has yet to do. Whereas close to 9,000 acres slated to be planted with MON 810 corn in Germany will now be GM-free (assuming the ban stands up in court if necessary), the acres to be planted with GM corn in the U.S. is in the tens of millions. German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner announced she was banning not only the cultivation of GM corn but also the sale of its seeds, saying she had “legitimate reasons to believe that MON 810 posed a danger to the environment.”
Why GM Corn is Dangerous
French Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini, molecular endocrinologist at the University of Caen and a member of two French government commissions evaluating GM food, found that MON 810, along with several other varieties of GM crops, showed statistically significant problems in animal studies that regulators have not pursued with follow-up research.
Seralini said the effects of the GM crops were similar to that of pesticides, including inflammation disorders, and problems with livers and kidneys, two major organs involved with detoxification. Further, biology professor Bela Darvas of Hungary‘s Debrecen University discovered that Monsanto’s Mon 810 is lethal to two Hungarian protected species and one insect classified as rare. Now Monsanto refuses to give him any more Mon 810 corn to use in his tests. They also refused his request for Mon 863, another GM variety. So not only has MON 810 been shown to cause serious damage to animals, but it may also wipe out protected plant and insect species. Of course, adding to the potential devastation is the fact that corn is a wind-pollinated plant, which means it depends on the wind for pollination.
While growers of GM food often say their crops will be contained and unable to contaminate nearby fields, from an environmental perspective contamination between GM and non-GM crops is generally acknowledged to be unavoidable. Really what can stop wind, tornadoes or other weather from blowing or transporting GM pollen or seeds over onto non-GM crops? Not a whole lot. So by planting even a few thousand acres of land with GM crops, there’s a very real possibility that a much greater area could become contaminated with the altered seeds, and subject to the potential health and environmental insults as a result.
The United States government‘s support for biotech is no secret. In fact, it is the official policy in several U.S. agencies to promote the industry, and some of them have attempted to push acceptance of GM crops in Europe — but let’s hope they continue to hold out. MON 810 was currently the only GM crop approved for cultivation in Germany, so in choosing to ban GM corn, Germany will become an entirely GM-free country — a wise, wise move.
Of course, it’s not just GM corn that’s the issue here; all GM crops have the potential to cause great, irreversible harm.
Are GM Crops Threatening the Future of Humankind?
GM crops routinely create unintended proteins, alter existing protein levels, or even change the components and shape of the protein that is created by the inserted gene. This results in brand new proteins that have never before existed in food, some of which may be causing severe allergic reactions. Creating a GM crop can also produce massive changes in the natural functioning of the plant‘s DNA. Native genes can be mutated, deleted, permanently turned on or off, or change their levels of protein expression. No one knows how this will impact human health, but so far Jeffrey Smith has documented at least 65 serious health risks related to GM foods. Among them:
• Offspring of rats fed GM soy showed a five-fold increase in mortality, lower birth weights, and the inability to reproduce • Male mice fed GM soy had damaged young sperm cells • The embryo offspring of GM soy-fed mice had altered DNA functioning • Several US farmers reported

2. Genetically Modified Foods v. Organic Foods
What does “organic” mean?
The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as "organic.“ Organic crops must be grown in safe soil, have no modifications, and must remain separate from conventional products. Farmers are not allowed to use synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given organic feed. They may not be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or any animal-by-products.
The benefits of organic food
Organic foods provide a variety of benefits. Some studies show that organic foods have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally grown counterparts. In addition, people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives often find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods. In addition:
Organic produce contains fewer pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. These chemicals are widely used in conventional agriculture and residues remain on (and in) the food we eat.
Organic food is often fresher. Fresh food tastes better. Organic food is usually fresher because it doesn’t contain preservatives that make it last longer. Organic produce is often (but not always, so watch where it is from) produced on smaller farms near where it is sold.
Organic farming is better for the environment. Organic farming practices reduce pollution (air, water, soil), conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy. Farming without pesticides is also better for nearby birds and small animals as well as people who live close to or work on farms.
Organically raised animals are NOT given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. The use of antibiotics in conventional meat production helps create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. This means that when someone gets sick from these strains they will be less responsive to antibiotic treatment. Not feeding animal byproducts to other animals reduces the risk of mad cow disease (BSE). In addition, the animals are given more space to move around and access to the outdoors, both of which help to keep the animals healthy.
Organic food is GMO-free. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding, most commonly in order to be resistant to pesticides or produce an insecticide. In most countries, organic crops contain no GMOs and organic meat comes from animals raised on organic, GMO-free feed.
New Study Shows Organic Farming To Best Feed An Overpopulated Planet
byDIANA ERNEYFEBRUARY 10, 2016
With the world’s population predicted to peak around 9.6 billion people by the year 2050, one of the big unknowns about our collective future is how we can possibly feed all of those people.  A new study from Washington State University predicts that organic farming will lead the way.
Looking at studies from the past 40 years, researchers compared conventional agriculture with organic systems relative to production, economics, the environment, and social wellbeing. Although organic farms were found to be less productive than conventional overall, with yields averaging 8 to 25 percent lower depending upon the crop, the study found that organic crops hold up better during harsh growing conditions such as droughts, which are predicted to increase in the changing face of climate change. (Not to mention The Effects Climate Change Can Have On Our Health.) Enhancements in management methods and improved plant varieties may also help to close the production gap. 
The study also found that organic and other sustainable farming methods improve food security for people in developing countries because there’s more diversity among crops and livestock—one study cited a three-fold increase in consumption of vegetable and proteins among farmers in the Philippines who grow organic. While it’s clear that no single method of farming will meet all the needs of the Earth’s burgeoning population, lead researcher John Reganold envisions a synthesis of organic and sustainable along with other systems such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and other eco-methods yet to be discovered.  And while just under 1 percent of the world’s farms are currently certified, Reganold has no doubt that organic is the best way forward: “Organic agriculture can be a bigger player in helping feed the world because it does such a good job in balancing agricultural sustainability goals.”

3. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Genetically Modified Foods v. Organic Foods
Direction: After reading the two articles, answer the following questions in FULL sentences
What are 3 main points made in the article about GMOs (on the first page)?
What are 3 main points made in the article about organic food (on the second page)?
Now that you know that the majority of food produced and sold in the United States is made up of GMOs, does that change your opinion at all about the food you eat? Explain your answer.
Use the chart below to explain the major differences between GMOs and Organic Foods
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Organic
5. Why do you think the United States would still allow GMOs, when other developed countries, such as Germany, have banned them?
6. In 2-3 FULL sentences, explain whether or not you would buy GMOs or organic food, if you were the one doing the shopping for your family?

4. Top Ten Countries that Produce GMOs and Organic Food (by area)
Label and shade the countries listed on the map below. Remember ALL of the GMO countries should be ONE color and ALL of the organic countries should be ONE color (a different color from the GMOs).
Top Coutnries that Produce GMOs (2014)
Top Countries that Produce Organic Foods (2012)
United States
Australia
Brazil
Argentina
China
India
Canada
Italy
Paraguay
Spain
Pakistan
Germany
South Africa
Uruguay
United Kingdom
What patterns can be seen on the map? Why do you think that is?
In which regions of the world in most food grown overall? What about just GMOs? Or just organic foods? Why do you think that is?