2. What are they, and what they can do. GMOs

3. Identifying GMOs A GMO is an organism whose genome has been changed by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains genes that are not normally found there. Note: A high percentage of food crops, such as corn and soybeans, are genetically modified.

4. How Scientists Make GMOs “1“1 The scientist finds and isolates the gene with the desired genetic characteristics. This process is called mapping. 2The scientist makes several copies of the isolated gene. The copying process is called PCR. 3The scientist transfers the desired genes to the plant's own genes (using a piece of plant tissue). When the scientist wishes to insert the desired genes into the plant - there are 3 options. He or she can use a 'gene canon', a soil bacteria or a material called protoplast. The methods of gene insertion are called 'transformation'. 4The scientist creates a new plant from the genetically modified plant tissue. 5The scientist checks that the inserted genes function as expected. 6The scientist also checks that the inserted gene appears in the plant's progeny, that is - in the seeds.” http://www.bionetonline.org/english/ content/ff_tool.htm

5. Conclusion For GMOs Reduced need for herbicides Reduced need of pesticides Reduced greenhouse emissions as GMOs require less tillage or plowing, thus less use of fossil fuels Ability to manipulate foods to increase desirable components such as nutrients Increased production of food for starving third world countries. The estimated 10,000 sheep that died in India within 5-7 days of grazing on GM cotton plants engineered to produce their own Bt-toxin pesticide. The only human GM feeding study ever published, which shows that the foreign genes inserted into GM food crops can transfer into the DNA of our gut bacteria. This study gives new meaning to the adage, “You are what you eat.” Long after those GM corn chips you munched are history, your intestinal flora may still be churning out the “Bt” pesticide GM corn plants have been engineered to produce. http://nat uralrevolut ion.org/th e-good- bad-and- ugly- about- gmos/