THE PROS AND CONS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

Hannah and Ryan

Background
Genetically Modified Food- crop plants that have been

modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits

60%-70% of all processed foods in the US contain

genetically modified ingredients.

Most common are soybeans, corn, cotton, and rapeseed

oil
Monsanto Company- largest producer of GMFs

(genetically modified foods)

Monsanto Company
New bill - Monsanto protection act protects companies that produce GMFs from being sued over health risks due to consumption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63m-Dzrbhlk

Pros
Pest resistance Herbicide tolerance Disease resistance Cold resistance Drought and salinity tolerance More nutritious and tastier foods

Cons
Gene transfer to non-target species Allergies Trans allergenic reactions
Ex: Peanut allergies aggravated by peanut gene in corn.

Economic concerns Expensive to produce seeds, making it harder for smaller farms to purchase seeds.

Cons (cont.)
Genetically modifying foods:
Can introduce allergens and toxins to food
Can cause accidental contamination between genetically modified

and non-genetically modified foods

Ethics Problems:
Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa Stress for animals

Cons (cont.)
Modified Corn has been linked to mammary tumors,

kidney damage, and liver damage on lab rats in France

The study consisted of 200 rats and was conducted over 2 years.

Adverse results first manifested after 90 days.

Regulations on GMFs
Brazil: Some states have banned GMFs and the Brazilian institute has filed a suit to prevent importation of all GMFs

Europe: Mandatory labeling of GMFs in stores, European Commission has established a 1% threshold for contamination of unmodified foods

Regulations (cont.)
Japan: Health testing on GMFs mandatory since April 2001

US: EPA evaluates plans for environmental safety USDA evaluates the safety to grow GMFs FDA evaluates whether GMFs are safe to eat.

Overview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGqQV6ObFCQ

References
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/are-biotech-foods-safe-

to-eat
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/gmo-poll_n_2807595.html http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/monsanto-

profit_n_3006157.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57576835/critics-slam-

obama-for-protecting-monsanto/