1. Ethics of GM Foods Clark Ford, Ph.D. Food Science and Human Nutrition Iowa State University

2. Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering involves manipulating DNA molecules DNA from one species is spliced into the DNA of another species –Called: Recombinant DNA Genetically Engineered organisms are called: – Genetically Modified – Transgenic

3. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1953: Structure of DNA discovered 1973: First gene cloned –in microbes 1977: Asilomar Conference in USA –Recombinant DNA safety –Regulation –Risk assessment –Containment

4. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1990: Recombinant Chymosin Approved by FDA –Enzyme for cheese making –Originally from calf stomach –Bovine gene expressed in GRAS microbes –In 80% of U.S. cheese –“Vegetarian” cheese in England

5. Other Products from Genetically Engineered Microbes Food enzymes –Bread –HFCS Sweeteners Amino acids Peptides –Nutrasweet Flavors Organic acids Polysaccharides Vitamins

6. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1994: FDA approves “Flavr Savr” Tomato –Prolonged shelf life –Improved quality –Voluntarily labeled

7. Other Genetically Engineered Plants Agronomic traits –BT Corn –Roundup Ready Soy –Disease Resistance Food quality Nutrition Metabolic products Vaccines

8. Bt Corn Natural insecticide from Bacillus thuringiensis Non-toxic to humans Target insect: corn borer Potential to: –reduce insecticide use –reduce mycotoxins 50% U.S. Corn crop Bt

9. Bt Concerns Bt pollen harms non-target species? Bt crops select for resistant insects Bt pollen can drift to organic fields Food system failed to keep BT Starlink corn out of human food products

10. Herbicide Resistance Roundup Ready Soy, Corn, Canola Allows post-emergence herbicide spraying Increases yield Facilitates no-till farming 80% U.S. Soy crop

11. Herbicide Resistance Concerns Encourages herbicide use –Groundwater contamination –Kills beneficial soil microbes Cross-pollinates weeds Fosters dependence on Agrochemcial companies

12. Disease Resistance Canola Cantaloupes Cucumbers Corn Rice Papaya Potatoes Soybeans Squash Tomatoes Wheat Genetically engineered papaya resistant papaya ringspot virus

13. Health and Nutrition Golden Rice –Vitamin A and Iron enhanced –Seeds given to the poor for free Improved Amino Acid Balance for Soy, Maize Banana Vaccines

14. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1999: GM corn and soybean products are present in 80% of processed foods –Corn: starch, high fructose corn syrup, oil –Soy: oil, Lecithin, protein

15. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1999: European Union requires GM labels, blocks import of GM corn, beans –Ban lifted 2004 but no change in anti-gm sentiment in Europe

16. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 1999: Gerber and Heinz baby foods GM-free 2000: Mc Donalds and Frito-Lay products GM-free

17. Milestones in Genetic Engineering of Food 2000: USDA Organic Foods Standards –Must be GM-free

18. Controversy over GMO Foods Debate pits consumer and ecology groups against Multinational Corporations Many farmers, scientists, government agencies caught in the middle

19. Arguments for Genetically Engineered Food Potential to: –Increase productivity –Increase purity –Increase safety –Improve nutrition –Improve food quality –Improve sustainability –Benefit ecosystem Process not inherently harmful Similar to traditional Plant and Animal breeding Unless misused, outcome expected to be beneficial –Is a powerful technology that could help humanity Bad ideas weeded out by the market, regulation, lawsuit --Paul Thompson

20. Arguments against Genetically Engineered Foods Potential safety risk for humans –Unintended Consequences Genetic Engineering is playing God –Not Natural to move genes between species Potential safety risk for environment –Could spread Genetically Engineered label not required in U.S. Benefits multinational corporations –not consumers or developing nations

21. Frankenstein Foods: Unintended Consequences? Random gene insertion Toxicity –New gene products? –Allergies Eating DNA!

22. Arguments for Labeling Not Substantially equivalent to non- GM Must use Precautionary principle Is uncertainty in risk assessment Labeling indicates process used Consumer’s right to know and choose Country’s right to know and choose

23. Arguments against labeling Suggests non-existent hazard Expensive to segregate crops and change labels FDA labels required if change in: Allergenicity Nutrition Food Quality

24. Will it Feed the World? Disease resistance will benefit developing nations Technology requiring increased inputs benefits wealthy, multinationals, plantations Small, subsistence farmers can’t compete, lose land Inequity, poverty increase Thus more food and more hunger Green Revolution unsustainable