Genetically Genetically Modified FoodsModified FoodsGroup 7Group 7By: Sean Bai, Khushboo Shah, Siddarth By: Sean Bai, Khushboo Shah, Siddarth Lohan, Adam Kanji, and Priya DhirLohan, Adam Kanji, and Priya Dhir

To what extent does the use To what extent does the use of GM foods affect today’s of GM foods affect today’s society and how will it affect society and how will it affect future generations?future generations?

What are GM Foods?What are GM Foods?

Any crop plants created for human or animal Any crop plants created for human or animal consumption using biological engineeringconsumption using biological engineering

Genes from different species of plants or animals are Genes from different species of plants or animals are taken and placed into a crop in order to enhance the taken and placed into a crop in order to enhance the plant (increase its size, sweetness, ability to with stand plant (increase its size, sweetness, ability to with stand drought etc) drought etc)

For example, B.T. genes are genes in bacteria that For example, B.T. genes are genes in bacteria that create a crystal protein lethal to larvae. B.T. genes are create a crystal protein lethal to larvae. B.T. genes are found in corn and other crops nowadays so the crops found in corn and other crops nowadays so the crops can protect themselves from larvae and be more can protect themselves from larvae and be more successful. successful.

Video by The NetworkVideo by The Network

Who is InvolvedWho is Involved

Japan: Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that health Japan: Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that health testing for GM foods are mandatorytesting for GM foods are mandatory

India: Supportive of transgenic plantsIndia: Supportive of transgenic plants Brazil: Lukewarm on the subject. Some states have banned Brazil: Lukewarm on the subject. Some states have banned

GM foods. Some farmers resort to smuggling GM plant GM foods. Some farmers resort to smuggling GM plant seeds. seeds.

Europe: Very much against GM foods. Citizens are Europe: Very much against GM foods. Citizens are disinclined to trust government information, as well as food disinclined to trust government information, as well as food scarcity has been rampant due to mad cow disease and scarcity has been rampant due to mad cow disease and dioxin-tainted foods. dioxin-tainted foods.

United States: Leaning towards GM foods. 30,000 different United States: Leaning towards GM foods. 30,000 different products in grocery stores contain GM foods. products in grocery stores contain GM foods.

Canada: Accepts GM foods, but labelling is not mandatory. Canada: Accepts GM foods, but labelling is not mandatory. 80 % of Canadians, in the 1999 poll, wanted to have GM 80 % of Canadians, in the 1999 poll, wanted to have GM foods labelled however.foods labelled however.

LabellingLabelling

Agribusinesses believe that labelling should be voluntaryAgribusinesses believe that labelling should be voluntary If consumers show a willingness to buy more labelled products than If consumers show a willingness to buy more labelled products than

non-labelled products, than preference will make the company non-labelled products, than preference will make the company produce the preferred kindproduce the preferred kind

Consumer interest groups demand labelling be mandatoryConsumer interest groups demand labelling be mandatory FDA concluded that GM foods are substantially the same as their FDA concluded that GM foods are substantially the same as their

non-GM counterparts. Therefore, labelling is not necessarynon-GM counterparts. Therefore, labelling is not necessary Labelling is controversial because: Labelling is controversial because: Labelling requires more time and energy. For example, farmers have Labelling requires more time and energy. For example, farmers have

to separate GM foods and non-GM Foodsto separate GM foods and non-GM Foods The acceptable limit to how much a plant has been genetically The acceptable limit to how much a plant has been genetically

modified and how much it has been kept the same is unknownmodified and how much it has been kept the same is unknown Education of public about labelling is possibly costly. Education of public about labelling is possibly costly. 130 countries signed an agreement stating that all exporters must be 130 countries signed an agreement stating that all exporters must be

required to label GM foods, and importing countries have a choice to required to label GM foods, and importing countries have a choice to accept or reject them. accept or reject them.

LabellingLabelling

According to a recent pole, 95% of Canadians would prefer According to a recent pole, 95% of Canadians would prefer labelling on all GM Foodslabelling on all GM Foods

Unless the food product contains a health risk, Health Canada feels Unless the food product contains a health risk, Health Canada feels that there is no need for a labelthat there is no need for a label

The cost of labelling all GM products is one reason more foods are The cost of labelling all GM products is one reason more foods are not identified as genetically modified. There's also the cost of not identified as genetically modified. There's also the cost of segregation. This is when non-GM products are kept away from segregation. This is when non-GM products are kept away from GM ones to avoid contamination. Although it sounds simple, it GM ones to avoid contamination. Although it sounds simple, it involves isolated growing, storage, harvesting and transportationinvolves isolated growing, storage, harvesting and transportation

Health Canada has taken the position that GM foods are just as Health Canada has taken the position that GM foods are just as safe as conventional foods. Food must be labelled in Canada if it is safe as conventional foods. Food must be labelled in Canada if it is pasteurized, irradiated, or contains possible allergens such as pasteurized, irradiated, or contains possible allergens such as peanuts.peanuts.

Pro LabellingPro Labelling

Consumers have a right to know what’s in their foodConsumers have a right to know what’s in their food Mandatory labeling will allow customers to identify and stay Mandatory labeling will allow customers to identify and stay

clear of food products that may harm themclear of food products that may harm them "At least 22 countries have announced plans to institute some "At least 22 countries have announced plans to institute some

form of mandatory labeling . The United States could follow form of mandatory labeling . The United States could follow their lead in handling the logistics of product separation."their lead in handling the logistics of product separation."

For religious or ethical reasons, many Americans want to avoid For religious or ethical reasons, many Americans want to avoid eating animal products, including animal DNA.eating animal products, including animal DNA.

Anti LabellingAnti Labelling

Labels on GM food imply a warning about health effects, Labels on GM food imply a warning about health effects, whereas no significant differences between GM and whereas no significant differences between GM and conventional foods have been detected. conventional foods have been detected.

Labelling of GM foods to fulfill the desires of some consumers Labelling of GM foods to fulfill the desires of some consumers would impose a cost on all consumers. Experience with would impose a cost on all consumers. Experience with mandatory labelling in the European Union, Japan, and New mandatory labelling in the European Union, Japan, and New Zealand has not resulted in consumer choice. Rather, retailers Zealand has not resulted in consumer choice. Rather, retailers have eliminated GM products – have eliminated GM products –

The food system necessities (storage, processing, and The food system necessities (storage, processing, and transportation facilities) could not currently accommodate the transportation facilities) could not currently accommodate the need for segregation of GM and non-GM products.need for segregation of GM and non-GM products.

Consumers who want to avoid animal products do not need to Consumers who want to avoid animal products do not need to worry about GM foods as they do not contain Animal Genesworry about GM foods as they do not contain Animal Genes

What Has Been What Has Been Accomplished So FarAccomplished So Far

EPA conducts risk assessments on pesticidesEPA conducts risk assessments on pesticides Growers must have a licenseGrowers must have a license Government regulations used to ensure that farmers are Government regulations used to ensure that farmers are

using safety standardsusing safety standards USDA department APHIS (Animal Health and Plant USDA department APHIS (Animal Health and Plant

Inspection Service) created criteria: Inspection Service) created criteria: 1. Is it a noxious weed? 1. Is it a noxious weed? 2. Is the Genetic Material stably integrated? 2. Is the Genetic Material stably integrated? 3. Does the function of the gene create plant disease? 3. Does the function of the gene create plant disease? 4. Is the GM plant toxic to any other organism 4. Is the GM plant toxic to any other organism 5. Does the new gene create a new strain of viruses5. Does the new gene create a new strain of viruses 6. Does the GM Plant contain any traces of human or 6. Does the GM Plant contain any traces of human or

animal DNA?animal DNA?

““The bigger, theThe bigger, the

better”better”

Advantages of GM FoodsAdvantages of GM Foods

1.1. Pest ResistancePest Resistance2.2. Herbicide ToleranceHerbicide Tolerance3.3. Disease ResistanceDisease Resistance4.4. Drought ToleranceDrought Tolerance5.5. Cold ToleranceCold Tolerance6.6. NutritionNutrition7.7. PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals8.8. PhytomediationPhytomediation9.9. Enhanced taste and qualityEnhanced taste and quality10.10.Reduced maturation timeReduced maturation time

Disadvantages of GM Disadvantages of GM FoodsFoods

1.1. Environmental Hazards Environmental Hazards

2.2. Economical IssuesEconomical Issues

3.3. Human Health RisksHuman Health Risks Causes humans to possibly become more Causes humans to possibly become more

allergic to GM goodsallergic to GM goods Unknown effects on human healthUnknown effects on human health

Environmental Environmental ImplicationsImplications

PositivePositive Friendly bioherbicides/inseticides existFriendly bioherbicides/inseticides exist Conservation of soil, water and energyConservation of soil, water and energy Bioprocessing of forestry productsBioprocessing of forestry products Better natural waste managementBetter natural waste management More effective processingMore effective processingNegativeNegative Unintended harm to other organismsUnintended harm to other organisms Reduced effectiveness of pesticidesReduced effectiveness of pesticides Gene transfers of non-target speciesGene transfers of non-target species Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity

Economic ImplicationsEconomic Implications

Lengthy and costly processLengthy and costly process Patent infringement of products. Patent infringement of products. Prices of seeds will be too high for third world countriesPrices of seeds will be too high for third world countries Widening the gap between the rich and the poorWidening the gap between the rich and the poor Patent enforcement will be difficult. Patent enforcement will be difficult. For example, in order to stop infringement, scientists For example, in order to stop infringement, scientists

can engineer seeds so that they can only last for one can engineer seeds so that they can only last for one season. The problem with this is that farmers in third season. The problem with this is that farmers in third world countries cannot afford this. world countries cannot afford this.

Decisions may be skewed towards the favour of the Decisions may be skewed towards the favour of the rich. rich.

Biopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resourcesBiopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resources

Moral, Ethical, and Social Moral, Ethical, and Social ImplicationsImplications

Consumers should have a right to know what goes in Consumers should have a right to know what goes in their food. However, this might prove to be costlytheir food. However, this might prove to be costly

Most of the laws have been suggested by food Most of the laws have been suggested by food companies, rather than consumerscompanies, rather than consumers

Labelling may cause consumers to fear GM foods as a Labelling may cause consumers to fear GM foods as a warning signs. warning signs.

Thus, if labelling was to be mandatory, it is unknown what Thus, if labelling was to be mandatory, it is unknown what it would say.it would say.

GM foods will definitely cause food security for growing GM foods will definitely cause food security for growing populationspopulations

Causes violation of natural organisms intrinsic valuesCauses violation of natural organisms intrinsic values Tampering with nature may be offensive to some groupsTampering with nature may be offensive to some groups Objections to consuming animal genes within plantsObjections to consuming animal genes within plants

Answering the QuestionAnswering the Question

In today’s society we have progressed largely by finding a potential In today’s society we have progressed largely by finding a potential solution to the hunger problems of the human race, especially, at a solution to the hunger problems of the human race, especially, at a time when we are populating exponentially. Genetically modified time when we are populating exponentially. Genetically modified foods are advantageous because they assist plants to grow faster, foods are advantageous because they assist plants to grow faster, last longer, with stand harsh natural conditions, be larger in size, last longer, with stand harsh natural conditions, be larger in size, more appealing in colour, sweeter in taste. However, many more appealing in colour, sweeter in taste. However, many additions of genes imposed on plants are unnecessary and solely additions of genes imposed on plants are unnecessary and solely based on desires rather than needs. Because the advancements in based on desires rather than needs. Because the advancements in the process of producing genetically modified foods are not yet the process of producing genetically modified foods are not yet sound, it is safer to reduce the production of genetically modified sound, it is safer to reduce the production of genetically modified foods as much as possible. Needless to say, genetically modified foods as much as possible. Needless to say, genetically modified foods serve a large convenience because they can be designed in foods serve a large convenience because they can be designed in the shape of rectangles in order to be conveniently packed in the shape of rectangles in order to be conveniently packed in boxed, it also allows one to have a large certainty of the quality of boxed, it also allows one to have a large certainty of the quality of the crops they purchase at their grocers because the crops will look the crops they purchase at their grocers because the crops will look like their ideal design and taste great. like their ideal design and taste great.

Answering the Question Answering the Question (continued)(continued)

It is also great for today’s store owners, because certain genes can reduce It is also great for today’s store owners, because certain genes can reduce maturation time so they can have a longer shelf life than an organic crop, maturation time so they can have a longer shelf life than an organic crop, and that would save a lot of money and reduce waste. Needless to say, the and that would save a lot of money and reduce waste. Needless to say, the long term effects on human health due to genetically modified foods can not long term effects on human health due to genetically modified foods can not be determined. However, if the production of genetically modified foods be determined. However, if the production of genetically modified foods continues to increase it might carry something that evoked allergic reactions continues to increase it might carry something that evoked allergic reactions as the soya, with a Brazil nut gene, inserted in it did. Moreover, as the soya, with a Brazil nut gene, inserted in it did. Moreover, continuations of genetically modified food production pose a financial threat continuations of genetically modified food production pose a financial threat for many, because it is expensive. Additionally, it is not great for the for many, because it is expensive. Additionally, it is not great for the biodiversity that currently exists because when inserting an additional gene, biodiversity that currently exists because when inserting an additional gene, non targeted life can be impacted. Genetically modified foods simply disturb non targeted life can be impacted. Genetically modified foods simply disturb the norm and interfere, causing an alternation in the biodiversity, and that is the norm and interfere, causing an alternation in the biodiversity, and that is dangerous because an area with no biodiversity can be wept out by a single dangerous because an area with no biodiversity can be wept out by a single disease or natural occurrences, leaving everyone in starvation. Therefore, it disease or natural occurrences, leaving everyone in starvation. Therefore, it appears to be convenient at the moment; however, it is harmful for the appears to be convenient at the moment; however, it is harmful for the environment and will surely have a negative impact in the near future.environment and will surely have a negative impact in the near future.

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