Genetically Modified FoodsGenetically Modified Foods

What are GM’s?What are GM’s?

are a result of technology that has are a result of technology that has altered the DNA of living organisms altered the DNA of living organisms (animals, plants or bacteria)(animals, plants or bacteria)

Other terms that mean the same thing:Other terms that mean the same thing: Genetically engineeredGenetically engineered TransgenicTransgenic Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologyRecombinant DNA (rDNA) technology

How does this differ from How does this differ from Mendel and his peas?Mendel and his peas?

GM vs. Selective breadingGM vs. Selective breadingSelective breadingSelective breading-slow-slow-imprecise-imprecise-modification of genes that naturally occur in the -modification of genes that naturally occur in the

organismorganismGMGM-very fast -very fast -precise -precise -can introduce genes into an organism that would not -can introduce genes into an organism that would not

occur naturally! occur naturally!

Why do it?Why do it?

RiceRice- not high in essential nutrients- not high in essential nutrientsModification:Modification: + daffodil genes and a bacterium = + daffodil genes and a bacterium =

beta-carotene content drastically beta-carotene content drastically increased increased

+ genes from a french bean = double + genes from a french bean = double the iron content.the iron content.

Tomatoes- Introduce genes to Tomatoes- Introduce genes to increase shelf life. increase shelf life.

How is this done?: Transgenic How is this done?: Transgenic tomatoestomatoes

Other applicationsOther applications

Potato - modified to produce a beetle Potato - modified to produce a beetle killing toxin killing toxin

Yellow squash – modified to contain to Yellow squash – modified to contain to viral genes that resistant the most viral genes that resistant the most common viral diseasescommon viral diseases

Develop foods that contain vaccines and Develop foods that contain vaccines and antibodies that offer valuable protection antibodies that offer valuable protection against diseases such as cholera, against diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, and malariahepatitis, and malaria

Canola – modified to resist one type of Canola – modified to resist one type of herbicide or pesticideherbicide or pesticide

A Local ExampleA Local Example::

: GM : GM CanolaCanola

Canadian-Australian RelationsCanadian-Australian Relations

Bayer CropScience produces genetically modified canola in Australia Bayer CropScience produces genetically modified canola in Australia forfor

the Canadian market. It is produced to resist the herbicide “Liberty” the Canadian market. It is produced to resist the herbicide “Liberty”

and can yield up to 20% higher than conventional canola.and can yield up to 20% higher than conventional canola.

Benefits of Genetic Benefits of Genetic Engineering Engineering

and Modifyingand Modifying

1.1. Higher yielding crops, more efficient use Higher yielding crops, more efficient use of land of land

2. Can save money and promote higher 2. Can save money and promote higher profitsprofits

3. Longer shelf life, less waste3. Longer shelf life, less waste Example// Tomatoes from genetically Example// Tomatoes from genetically modified seeds stay fresh modified seeds stay fresh longer.longer.4. Enhanced taste and quality 4. Enhanced taste and quality 5. Reduced maturation time5. Reduced maturation time

Benefits of Genetic Benefits of Genetic Engineering and ModifyingEngineering and Modifying

6. Increased and improved nutrients and stress tolerance6. Increased and improved nutrients and stress tolerance - A single gene genetically engineered into cauliflower can - A single gene genetically engineered into cauliflower can

increase increase production of beta-carotene 100 times. production of beta-carotene 100 times. - A gene can be implanted into a soybean upgrading the soy - A gene can be implanted into a soybean upgrading the soy

protein protein to a quality equal to that of milk.to a quality equal to that of milk. - Corn can be modified to contain its two limiting amino acids, - Corn can be modified to contain its two limiting amino acids, lysine or tryptophanlysine or tryptophan7. Improved resistance to disease or illness7. Improved resistance to disease or illness

- Foods can be enhanced with phytochemicals that help - Foods can be enhanced with phytochemicals that help maintain maintain

health and reduce the risks of chronic disease. health and reduce the risks of chronic disease. 8. Improved crop resistance to disease, pests, weeds and herbicides 8. Improved crop resistance to disease, pests, weeds and herbicides 9. New products and growing techniques 9. New products and growing techniques - “Individuals allergic to milk may be able to buy milk that has - “Individuals allergic to milk may be able to buy milk that has

been been treated with the lactase enzyme” (Whiney, 2002).treated with the lactase enzyme” (Whiney, 2002).

- Creating decaffeinated coffee beans are in a process of - Creating decaffeinated coffee beans are in a process of research. research.

Benefits of Genetic Benefits of Genetic Engineering and ModifyingEngineering and Modifying

SocietySociety Increased food Increased food

security for security for growing growing populations and populations and growth growth challenges challenges

(Human Genome Project Information (Human Genome Project Information (2003), (2003), http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresourceshttp://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml)/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml)

Who Uses this technologyWho Uses this technologyThe Countries that Grow 99% of the

World's Transgenic Crops

69%

23%

7% 1%

USA

Argentina

Canada

China

Risks associated with Genetic Risks associated with Genetic ModificationModification

1. 1. SafetySafety Potential human health implications. Potential human health implications. Potential environmental impact. Potential environmental impact.

Out-crossingOut-crossing Inevitable out-crossing of transgenic plants with naturally Inevitable out-crossing of transgenic plants with naturally

occurring ones.occurring ones. Creation of super-weeds Creation of super-weeds

Creation of biological weapons.Creation of biological weapons.

2. Access and Intellectual Property2. Access and Intellectual Property Domination of world food production by a few Domination of world food production by a few

companies and developing countries.companies and developing countries.

Risks associated with Genetic Risks associated with Genetic Modification – cont.Modification – cont.

3. Ethics3. Ethics ““Playing God” Playing God” Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species.Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species.

4. Labeling4. Labeling Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., Canada and the Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., Canada and the

United States). United States). Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts.Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts.

5. Society5. Society New advances may be skewed to the interests of rich New advances may be skewed to the interests of rich

countries.countries. (Human Genome Project Information (2003), (Human Genome Project Information (2003),

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml)http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml)

Risks with GM continued:Risks with GM continued:

Biodiversity Biodiversity Addition of Bt gene into plants including corn, Addition of Bt gene into plants including corn,

potatoes and cotton to increase resistance to potatoes and cotton to increase resistance to plantsplants

Bt gene obtained from Bt gene obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis (a Bacillus thuringiensis (a soil bacterium that produces a natural soil bacterium that produces a natural insecticide) insecticide)

Problem: plants producing Bt toxin are releasing Problem: plants producing Bt toxin are releasing toxin in pollentoxin in pollen

Draper, D. (2002). Draper, D. (2002). Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective 2nd EdOur Environment: A Canadian Perspective 2nd Ed. Scarborough: . Scarborough: Thompson Canada Lmt.Thompson Canada Lmt.

Pollen from a Bt plant was dusted on to Pollen from a Bt plant was dusted on to milkweed:milkweed:

- only 56% of young monarch butterfly larvae - only 56% of young monarch butterfly larvae livedlived

- whereas pollen from organic plants dusted - whereas pollen from organic plants dusted on the milkweed produced a survival rate of on the milkweed produced a survival rate of 100%. 100%.

Approximately half of the monarch butterfly Approximately half of the monarch butterfly population live in the “corn belt” of the USApopulation live in the “corn belt” of the USA

= this new gene could have serious = this new gene could have serious repercussions for this organism repercussions for this organism

Canadian Food Inspection Canadian Food Inspection AgencyAgency

Genetically modified foods are currently Genetically modified foods are currently regulated by the CFIAregulated by the CFIA

works collaboratively with Environment works collaboratively with Environment Canada, Health Canada, and Fisheries and Canada, Health Canada, and Fisheries and OceansOceans

Goal: to ensure that products of Goal: to ensure that products of biotechnology are considered safe to human biotechnology are considered safe to human and animal health and the environment.and animal health and the environment.

According to the CFIA, the assessment According to the CFIA, the assessment process for GE foods is very rigorous process for GE foods is very rigorous

Canadian Food Inspection Canadian Food Inspection AgencyAgency

Assessment processAssessment process

Criticisms of processCriticisms of process

ConclusionConclusion

Genetic Modification:Genetic Modification:

or ?

Literature Cited:Literature Cited: 1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Novel Foods Retrieved April 1, 2002, from the World

Wide Web: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbo/pbobbve.shtml 2. Canadian Food Inspection Agency.(2000) Plant Health and production division, plant

biosafety office on Regulatory directive 2000-07: Guidelines for the environmental release of plants with novel traits within confined field trails in Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbo/dir/dir0007e.shtml

3. Draper, D. (1998). Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective 1st Ed. Scarborough: Thompson Canada Lmt.

4. Draper, D. (2002). Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective 2nd Ed. Scarborough: Thompson Canada Lmt.

5. Jones, L. (1999, February 27). Genetically modified foods. British Medical Journal. [Journal, Online]. Retrieved April 1, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0m0999/7183_318/5417903/print.jhtml

6. Health Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/mh-dm/ofb-bba/nfi-ani/e_novel_foods_and_ingredient.html

7. Health Canada. A Bureau of Food Policy Integration (Food Directorate) Response to: Food Safety of GM Crops in Canada: toxicity and allergenicity: Retrieved April 5, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/mh-dm/ofb-bba/nfi-ani/e_health_canada_response_gmo.html

8. McCalla, D.R. (2000). Why we should proceed cautiously with plant biotechnology? Retrieved April 4, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://www.canadians.org/ge-alert/

9. Mitchell, B.C. (1997). Resource and Environmental Management 2nd Ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Lmt.

10. Reason Online. Retrieved April 1, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://reason.com/bi/bi-gmf.shtm

12. Steiner, M. (2000, May 9) Petition to the Auditor General: By the Sierra Legal Defense Fund. Retrieved April 6, 2002, from the World Wide Web: http://www.sierralegal.org/m%5Farchive/2000/pr00%5F05%5F09b.htm

13. Sizer, F., Whitney, E. (1997). Nutrition Concepts and Controversies 713. Sizer, F., Whitney, E. (1997). Nutrition Concepts and Controversies 7thth Edition. Edition. Waltsworth publishing Company: Belmont Ca.Waltsworth publishing Company: Belmont Ca.

14. Whitney, E.N., Rolfes, S.R. (2002). Understanding Nutrition. 914. Whitney, E.N., Rolfes, S.R. (2002). Understanding Nutrition. 9thth Ed. Wadsworth Group: Ed. Wadsworth Group: Belmont Ca. Belmont Ca.

15. http://allergies.about.com/library/blificbio.htm15. http://allergies.about.com/library/blificbio.htm 16. Human Genome project(2004).: 16. Human Genome project(2004).:

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtmlhttp://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml 17. Bayer CropScience (2004).

http://www.bayercropscience.com/bayer/cropscience/cscms.nsf/id/OurCustomers