Genetically Modified Organismshttp://www.masternewmedia.org/images/modded.jpg

http://repairstemcell.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/genetically-modified-food-fda.jpg

What are genetically modified organisms (GMO, GMF, Frankenfoods)?

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

• Also known as transgenic

• Crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques.

• Create plants with the exact desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy.

Advantages of GMOs

• Pest resistance• Herbicide tolerance• Disease resistance• Cold tolerance• Drought/Salinity tolerance• Nutrition• Pharmaceuticals• Phytoremediation (clean up heavy metals in

soils – gm poplar trees)

What are some of the criticisms of GMO foods?

• Environmental Hazardsa. Unintended harm to other organisms – Monarch

butterflies and milkweed/corn pollen

b. Reduced effectiveness of pesticides

c. Gene transfer to non-target species

• Human Health Risksa. Allergies

b. Unknown/Unintended health effects

• Economic Concernsa. Expense and time bring GMO plants to market

b. Patents and control by agrichemical companies

How are GMO/GMF/Transgenic Foods Labeled?

• Agribusiness firms believe labeling should be voluntary – They say, “Let the markets decide!”

• Consumer groups say labeling should be mandatory – They say, “I want to know what I am eating!”

• FDA’s current position grounded in the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act…

• GRAS• Generally Recognized As Safe• What do you think about this?

Growth of GE Crops1996-2009http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/

GMO Cartoons to Interprethttp://s4.hubimg.com/u/46935_f260.jpg

http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/200 http://www.bxscience.edu/ourpages/users/Villani/bionic/2008/articles/GMF/

GMF_files/image001.jpg 8/articles/GMF/GMF_files/image001.jpg

http://www.nature.com/nrg/journal/v2/n3/images/nrg0301_217a_i1.jpg

http://weblog.helpware.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/monsanto_labelling.jpg

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban128l.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/files/gmo-patent-pending-01.jpg

http://earthhopenetwork.net/frankenfood_monsanto_hungry_man.jpg

And,now…www.themeatrix.com

Grocery Store Warshttp://www.green.tv/store_wars