The document discusses genetically modified foods (GMOs). It defines GMOs as foods that have been genetically enhanced through molecular biology techniques such as transferring genes from donor organisms. The document outlines the process of genetic engineering and provides examples of commonly genetically modified crops like corn, soybeans and cotton. It notes both potential advantages of GMOs, like pest resistance and higher yields, and disadvantages such as possible human health and environmental risks.

1. Melissa Louis

2.  A food that has been genetically enhanced
through molecular biology

3.  Taking a desired genetic trait out of a donor
organism and putting it into a food in order
for that food to show the desired trait

4. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Enhances desired traits  Human health risks
 Pest resistance o Unfamiliar foreign proteins=
 Improve nutritional allergic reactions
content  Genes resistant to
 Less time than controlled antibiotics =dangerous
breeding disease transmitable to
 Improves accuracy humans
 Herbicide tolerance  Environmental hazards
 Cold tolerance  Economic concerns
 Pharmaceuticals

5. 1. Develop a problem
2. Identify a gene that produces a genetic trait of
interest to solve this problem
3. Find a donor organism
4. Separate the gene from the rest of the
genetic material of the donor
5. Use gene gun or electricity to break through
the cell wall and inject this gene into a food in
order for it to show that trait

7.  Corn
 Rice
 Tomatoes
 Rapeseed
 Honey
 Cotton
 Soybean
 Sugar Cane
 Canola
 Potatoes
 Flax
 Papaya
 Squash

8. What is it?
 Corn that has been genetically
modified to be resistant to insect
larvae

9. Steps of engineering corn
1. Identify that corn crop productions are being
damaged by insect larvae.
2. Conclude that the bacterium bacillus
thuringiensis produces a protein that kills
Lepidoptera larvae.
3. Harvest this gene from the bacterium by
separating it from the rest of the genetic
material of the donor.
4. Inject removed gene into the cell wall of a corn
cell.
5. The food then shows that trait.

11. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Corn production is higher  Pollen kills butterflies
 Reduces need for  Kills microorganisms in
insecticide soil- threatens food web
 creation of superpests

14.  Economic sanctions threaten entire free
trade system
 Reduce production costs due to reduced
chemical and mechanical needs in
planting, maintenance, and harvest

15.  Solve world hunger
 Eliminate use of pesticides and
herbicides

16.  Check the label of what you are buying!!
It is not a requirement for genetically modified foods
to be labeled but some do say they have been
modified, so look at the label!

17.  70 - 75 % of U.S. food is genetically modified
 Leading producers of genetically modified
crops
1. United States – 74%
2. Argentina – 15%
3. Canada – 10%

19. Still don’t understand genetic engineering?
Then check out this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTfuAbzAe
B8&feature=related