Genetically Modified

FoodsMelissa Louis

What is a genetically modified food?

A food that has been genetically enhanced through molecular biology

How does it work?

Taking a desired genetic trait out of a donor organism and putting it into a food in order for that food to show the desired trait

Genetically Modified Foods

ADVANTAGES

Enhances desired traits

Pest resistance Improve nutritional

content Less time than

controlled breeding Improves accuracy Herbicide tolerance Cold tolerance Pharmaceuticals

DISADVANTAGES

Human health riskso Unfamiliar foreign

proteins= allergic reactions

Genes resistant to antibiotics =dangerous disease transmitable to humans

Environmental hazards Economic concerns

Steps of genetically modifying foods

1. Develop a problem2. Identify a gene that produces a genetic

trait of interest to solve this problem3. Find a donor organism4. Separate the gene from the rest of the

genetic material of the donor5. Use gene gun or electricity to break

through the cell wall and inject this gene into a food in order for it to show that trait

Examples

Corn Rice Tomatoes Rapeseed Honey Cotton Soybean Sugar Cane Canola Potatoes Flax Papaya Squash

Bt Corn

What is it? Corn that has been

genetically modified to be resistant to insect larvae

Bt Corn

Steps of engineering corn1. Identify that corn crop productions are

being damaged by insect larvae. 2. Conclude that the bacterium bacillus

thuringiensis produces a protein that kills Lepidoptera larvae.

3. Harvest this gene from the bacterium by separating it from the rest of the genetic material of the donor.

4. Inject removed gene into the cell wall of a corn cell.

5. The food then shows that trait.

Bt Corn

ADVANTAGES

Corn production is higher

Reduces need for insecticide

DISADVANTAGES

Pollen kills butterflies Kills microorganisms

in soil- threatens food web

creation of superpests

Effects on society

Economic sanctions threaten entire free trade system

Reduce production costs due to reduced chemical and mechanical needs in planting, maintenance, and harvest

Future Implication

Solve world hunger

Eliminate use of pesticides and herbicides

How do you know if a food is genetically modified?

Check the label of what you are buying!!

It is not a requirement for genetically modified foods to be labeled but some do say they have been modified, so look at the label!

Did you know?

70 - 75 % of U.S. food is genetically modified

Leading producers of genetically modified crops

1. United States – 74%2. Argentina – 15%3. Canada – 10%

Still don’t understand genetic engineering?

Then check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTfuAbzAeB8&feature=related

That’s Genetic Engineering!