BENEFITS & RISKS

-BY-

KYLE MOE

Genetically Modified Food

Breakfast?

Overview

Common genetically engineered crops/animals

The origin of genetic engineering

Top three main areas of controversy surrounding issue

Concluding statements

Genetically Modified Plants

The top three genetically engineered crops being produced on U.S. soil

- Soybeans at estimated 87-90%

- Cotton at estimated 81-93%

- Corn at estimated 81-86%

(USDA, 2011)

Genetically Modified Animals

- Salmon DNA altered so fish grow to maturity in half the time

- Transgenic Livestock

The Discovery of DNA

- James Watson and Francis Crick

- Ultimately what made possible the

-“Direct, intentional alteration of the genetic materials of organisms by moving genes from one organism to another”

-(Wohlers, 2010, p. 17)

Areas of Deliberation

Regulative Policies

Health Effect on Human Body

Environmental/Economic Consequences

High Uncertainty Low Uncertainty

Southern Europe

South America

North America

Scandinavia

Regulative Policies

Regulative Policies Continued…

- Acceptance of genetically modified products may be highly dependent on differing political cultures

- Market share battles between companies

Regulative Policies Continued…

- Not required to identify various genetically modified organisms in food labels

Health Effects

- Animal toxicity studies with various GMO’s have shown possible negative effects on certain organs

Health Effects Continued…

Does anyone in class have food allergies?

Transgenic foods believed to have high food allergy potential

Salmon and corn transgenic example

Environmental Effects

Genetically modified crops can lead to certain environmental benefits

- Usually lead to a reduced use of pesticides

- Usually absorb fertilizer in more productive manner

Economic Effects

Genetically modified crops may also lead to beneficial economic effects

- Increased crop yield and quality

- Subsequently increased profit

Conclusion

GMO’s present both positive and negative aspects to society as a whole

They are a topic of much deliberation and tension; very prevalent in some parts of the world and banned in others

Ultimately, GMO’s are still a relatively premature technology and in the developmental process. Only time will reveal their ultimate effect on humans.