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Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Elina Tserlin and Arin Belden Hobart and William Smith Colleges Science and Cognition Geneva, NY 14456 International Concerns Regarding Bt Corn
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Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO) Establishment of the United Nations – Initiated in 1945 – International nutrition levels – Standards of living Goals – Alleviate hunger and poverty – Provide food security – Preserve natural resources Functions – Gather and analyze information – Organize programs – Serve as clearinghouse Slide 2
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FAO’ s Views Toward Genetically Engineered Crops: Bt Corn FAO – Voice of poverty-struck nations – Helps cease famine – Provides to needy Bt corn – Sent to feed starving nations – Higher crop yield – Vast impacts on environment Slide 3
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Current Endeavors Present in Impoverished Countries Mexico – Birthplace of Maize – Stressful Farming Conditions – Contaminated with genetically modified DNA 60% in the villages of Oaxaca and Puebla 1 India – Transfer of genes from GM crops to wild relatives – Super weeds evolve resistant cannot be killed by pesticides – Competition with food for water, nutrients, light 5% of crop loss 2 Slide 4 1 von der Weid, 2002 2 Times of India, 2001
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Spread of Bt Corn and Its Effect on Native Species Bt Corn – Sent to starving nations by US – Often importing countries not aware of GM crop – Potential Harm to Starving Individuals 3 Consequences – Cross Pollination – Genes unintentionally spread to other maize species – native species gets lost Slide 5 3 Benbrook, 2002
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Biodiversity and Its Importance to Nations Biodiversity – Variability among organisms – Crucial for alternatives – Equilibrium Native Species – Tolerant Native parasites Native temperatures – Needed to fall back on – Allows country to have its own crops 4 independence Slide 6 4 Quist et al., 2001
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FAO’s Evaluation of Bt Corn as International Matter Advantages of Bt corn – Increase agricultural production – Meet world’s food demands – Supports non-developing countries Disadvantages of Bt corn – Destroys native plants – Loss of Biodiversity – No fallback Slide 7
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Actions of FAO Regarding Bt Corn Forum – Hold meetings for international discussions – Analyze new technological advances Inform nations – Hold radio broadcasts where farmers share techniques 5 – Projects that check efficiency of soil – Provide field training courses Final Decision – Placed in hands of individual governments Slide 8 5 International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting, 2001
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References Slide 9 1. Von der Weid, J.M. (2002, February 6). Letter to Dr. Jacques Diouf, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, pp. 1-3. 2. Scientists Fear Invasion of “Super Weeds.” (2001, November 12). The Times of India 3. Benbrook, C. (2002, September 27). Letter to Distinguished Delegates from Zambia, Benbrook Consulting Services, pp. 1-2. 4. Quist D, Chapela, I. (2001). Transgenic DNA Introgressed into Traditional Maize Landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico. Nature, 414, 541-543. 5. International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting (2001). Retreived from www.fao.org
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