Genetically modified foods are created by altering the DNA of food crops. The top three reasons for genetic modification are to make crops resistant to herbicides, improve nutritional content, and increase crop yields. Potential benefits include lower costs for farmers and more durable, nutritious foods. However, critics argue that GM foods could lead to antibiotic resistance, new diseases, and harm the environment through gene transfer to weeds and loss of biodiversity. There is ongoing debate around labeling and regulation of genetically modified organisms in food.

1. Rachel Martin, Leah Bordenga, Heather Kamback, Rachel Kehoe, Lauren Lyons, Rachel Bernstein
OUT OF THE
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2. genetically modified
food
Topic Statement: Since we live in the age of technology it is not surprising that some of our food is genetically
modified. But what most people don't know are the positive and negative effects it has on our bodies and on
society. This project will explore both sides of the argument, "Is Genetically Modified Food harmful or helpful?"
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3. What is genetically modified food?
Genetically modified foods (GM foods, or biotech foods) are foods
derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
•GMOs have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by
genetic engineering techniques.
•Organisms are exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-
specific but stable change.
Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include:
•selective breeding
•plant breeding
•animal breeding
•somaclonal variation
The term GM foods or GMOs is most commonly used to refer to
crop plants created for human or animal consumption
These plants have been modified in the laboratory to enhance
desired traits such increased resistance to herbicides or improved
nutritional content.
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4. Why is it done?
According to the World Health Organziation, Genetically-modified foods have the potential to
solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition problems. The initial objective for developing
plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection.
GM foods are developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the
producer or consumer of these foods.
This is meant to translate into a product with a
• lower price
•greater benefit, in terms of durability or nutritional value.
Initially GM seed developers wanted their products to be accepted by producers, so they have
concentrated on innovations that farmers, and the food industry more generally, would appreciate.
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5. How is it accomplished ?
• Genetically modified foods are created using
biotechnology to change their genetic
material
Techniques include...
o Benign bacterial or viral infection
o Gene splicing
o Gene "silencing"
o Biolistics
o Calcium phosphate precipitation
o Electroporation
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6. 6

7. Most common genetically modified foods-have you eaten any? Did you know that
over 30,000
• In 2010, 93% of America's soybean products in your
crops were modified to make them herbicide local grocery store
are GM foods?
resistant. Soy foods include: dressings,
mayonnaise, soy flour & oil, breads, etc.
Also, 93% of cotton crops(oil), and 75% rapeseed(canola)
were modified to make them pesticide resistant.
Other common foods include:
Honey Papaya
Squash
Rice
tomatoes Corn
Tobacco
PEAS Meat Potatoes 7

8. Benefits
• Farmers benefit greatly from genetically modified food.
• Spend less money on pesticides.
• Crops are stronger.
• Farmers gain more profit from GM food.
• Before GM crops, farmers crops suffered from
• Harsh weather conditions
• Weeds
• Bugs/animals
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9. Benefits cont...
• Surprisingly GM Food has
health benefits!
• Crops are modified to be
more nutritional.
o In developing countries,
where nutrition is lacking,
crops can be modified to
contain the needed
nutrients.
• Example: Golden Rice
o Enhanced with carotene to
prevent Vitamin A
deficiency in children in
developing countries.
o Vitamin A deficiency can 9

10. Benefits Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAOHDDaTd6E
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11. • Antibiotic Health Risks
HarmsHuman
Resistance:
• GM foods are often developed to fight off certain pesticides and
herbicides-> higher risk that people who eat GM foods may be
more resistant to antibiotics
• New Diseases:
• Viruses and bacteria are used in the process of modifying foods->
possibility that they could lead to the development of new diseases
• Allergens and Toxins:
possibility that those genetically modifying food crops
•
may unintentionally create a new allergen
• ex-Soy Plant
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12. Harms
Environmental/Ecological Problems
• Gene transfer to non-target species
o transgenes may transfer from engineered crops into
nearby plants-pollen is carried by wind, bees, and other
pollinators
o crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and
weeds will cross-breed->”superweeds”
• Unintended harm to other organisms
o Transgenic pollen harms monarch larvae-laboratory
study
• Loss of biodiversity:
o GM food can potentially cause damage to other
organisms in the ecosystems where they are grown
o If these organisms are killed off, it will lead to a loss of
biodiversity in the environment and will put other
organisms at risk by creating an unstable ecosystem 12

13. Government and regulation
Proposition 37
Proposition 37 would:
-Require labeling on raw or processed food sold to consumers if made from
plants or animals with genetic material changed in specific ways.
-Prohibits labeling or advertising such food, or other processed food, as
"natural," "naturally made," naturally grown," and "all natural."
Similar proposals are also being formed in other states such as Vermont,
Connecticut and Washington.
Labeling of genetically modified foods has already been acted upon in over 60
countries worldwide including most of Europe, Japan, China and India.
In California there is a movement currently underway for the labeling of genetically engineered foods
titled Proposition 37.
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14. Government and regulation
Argument in Favor
-You have a right to know what is in your food
-Food will be labeled accurately
-Protecting your health as well as your family's will be
easier
-There are no long-term health studies that have proven
that genetically engineered food is safe for humans
-Prevents the misleading word "natural" on products that
are genetically engineered
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15. Government and regulation
Argument Against
-Many believe it would mean higher food
costs for both farmers and consumers
-Opens the door for various lawsuits to ensue if labeling is
incorrect or consumers come to harm from a product that
was genetically modified.
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16. How are genetically modified foods labeled
• Current Labeling Policy: FDA requires Pro's
a GM food to be labeled if it contains a• Consumer's right to know
what they are eating
different nutritional property, such as
• Informed about health and
allergins, or contains a toxicant beyond environmental concerns
acceptable limits.
• 9 out of 10 Americans
• The USA has proposed laws in over 10 support it
states, but not enacted.
Con's
•Labeling would raise prices
for all consumers
•They already have an option:
buy certified organic foods
•For vegetarian consumers, no
GM food on shelves contain
animal genes
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17. Bibliography
"Genetically Modified Foods - Techniques." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Genetically_modified_foods_techniques>.
GM Science Review First Report, Prepared by the UK GM Science Review panel (July 2003).
Chairman Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government, P 9
Disabled World News. "Genetically modified foods information including list of GM foods" by Mavis Butcher. 22
September 2009. Web Oct. 20 2012. <http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/gm-foods.php>
Colorado State University Extension.. "Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods" by P. Bryne. September 2010.
Web Oct. 19, 2012. <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.html>
Whitman, Deborah B. "Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?" Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or
Helpful? N.p., Apr. 2000. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. <http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php>.
Ackerman, Jennifer. "Food: How Altered?" National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
<http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/food-how-altered/>.
Henshaw, Ashley. "Pros And Cons Of Genetically Modified Foods." Symptomfind.com. N.p., 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 20 Oct.
2012. <http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/pros-and-cons-of-genetically-modified-foods/>.
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Palfreman, Jon. "Harvest of Fear." PBS. N.p., 24 Apr. 2001. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/arguments.html>.

18. • "California General Election." Proposition 37 Arguments and Rebuttals. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
Bibliography continued..
<http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/37/arguments-rebuttals.htm>.
• General, Attorney. "California General Election." Proposition 37 Title and Summary. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/37/title-summary.htm>.
• http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/10/09/political-and-corporate-elite-shun-gm-food-on-their-own-plate/
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/05/gm-food-crops-demand-prices
• http://www.twotheroot.com/problem-with-gmo/
• http://www.seedsofdeception.com/
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