This document discusses genetically modified foods and their potential benefits and risks. It begins by defining food biotechnology as the application of recombinant DNA technology to plants or microorganisms. Some key benefits mentioned include using GM foods to address issues like rising world population and decreasing farmland, as well as making crops more resistant to diseases, temperature, salt, and improving nutrition. However, risks discussed include insects becoming resistant to pesticides, loss of biodiversity, potential allergies and health issues. The conclusion acknowledges that GM foods are a "double edged sword" with both benefits and risks, but that the benefits currently outweigh the risks.

1. NOVEL TRENDS IN FOOD
BIOTECHNOLOGY – THE DOUBLE
EDGED SWORD
Dr. P. Saranraj
Head
Department of Microbiology
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)
Tirupattur.

2. FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGY
• Application of technology to modify the genes
(Recombinant DNA Technology) in Plants or
Microorganisms.
• Foods from Biotechnology – Genetically
Engineered (GE) or Genetically Modified (GM)
foods

3. WHY GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS?

4. WHY GENETICALLY MODIFIED
FOODS?
 World Population – Increasing
 Agricultural Lands – Decreasing
 GM Foods – To manage the food
deficiency in world market.

5. COMMON GENETICALLY
MODIFIED FOODS
Vegetables
Fruits (Seedless fruits)
Meat (Cattles and Poultry)
Rice
 Milk from GM Cows
Cheese
 Foods from KFC and McDonalds

6. GM FOODS… GOOD OR BAD?

7. GM FOODS – BOTH BENEFICIAL
AND HARMFUL
Improved Nutrition
Resistance to
disease
Reduced use of
chemicals
Environmental
risks
Health risks
Economic risks

8. BENEFITS OF GM FOODS
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
 Reduce the use of Pesticides.
 Develop resistance to Crops from
 Temperature
 Salt
 Diseases
 Improves Crop quality.
 Improves Nutritional quality.

9. HAZARDS OF GM FOODS
Insects becomes resistant to
Pesticides.
Loss of Biodiversity.
Causes Allergy and Health Hazards.
Lack of Seeds.

10. CONCLUSION
 GM Foods – “Double Edged Sword”
 Have both beneficial and harmful activities.
“Beneficial activities are more than Harmful
activities”