Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially altered. The first GMO foods approved in the US were a tomato with fish genes in 1994 and a pesticide-producing potato in 1995. Currently, the majority of corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beet crops grown in the US are genetically modified. However, there is ongoing debate about the potential health and environmental risks of GMOs, and many advocate for mandatory labeling of foods containing GMO ingredients.

1. GMO FOODS
Get in the Know About
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2. WHAT IS A GMO?
 A genetically modified organism is an organism
whose genetic material has been altered via the
artificial mutation, insertion or deletion of genes using
genetic engineering techniques
 Organisms that have been modified include
bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, fish and mammals
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3. GMO FOODS
 Not the same as traditional cross-breeding
 Enables scientists to breach species barriers created by nature
 Mainly used to make crops resistant to pesticides and herbicides
 Thousands of genetic modifications are being developed
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4. GMO FOOD HISTORY
1982 – First GM plant (antibiotic-resistant tobacco)
1987– First Field trials (Bt tobacco)
1994– U. S. approval of first GMO food crop (FlavrSavr
tomato – fish genes injected into tomato)
1995– U.S. approval of first pesticide producing GMO food crop (Bt Potato)
1996– U.S. approval of multiple GMO food crops
1997– Europe requires mandatory labeling of GMO foods
2003 - First GMO-resistant pests appear
2004–Mendocino County, CA bans GMO cultivation
2005 – Switzerland becomes first country to ban GMO crops – many follow
2011 - Study finds Bt toxins in blood of pregnant women
2013 – Three states pass GMO labeling laws (CT, VT & ME)
OR governor bans GMO canola production
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5. PREVALENCE
165 million acres worldwide
75% of processed foods contain GMO ingredients
“I can’t even find non-GMO seeds now” – WI farmer
Percent of crops that are GMO
Corn 88%
Cotton 95%
Canola 90%
Sugar beets 95%
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6. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES & POLICIES
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7. WHY THE FUSS?
 Health concerns
 Environmental concerns
 Impact on non-GMO crops
 Impact on soil, water, plants and animals
 Corporate servitude
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8. PEOPLES’ HEALTH
 Infertility
 Immune dysregulation
 Accelerated aging
 Dysregulation of genes assoc. with
cholesterol synthesis
 Asthma
 Allergies
 Inflammation
 AAEM
 Lost nutritional value
Detailed research findings in “GMO Myths & Truths” at www.nongmoproject.org
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9. HEALTH CERTAINTIES
Not enough evidence either way now but who
wants to be a science experiment?
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10. IMPACT ON NON-GMO CROPS
 Airborne pollination
 Insect pollination
 Lost organic certification
 Import refusal from non-GMO countries
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11. IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
 Superweeds
 22 states with glyphosate-resistant weeds
 Increased use of Round Up ( Glyphosate) causing malformations in
frog and chicken embryos
 Pesticide resistance
 Bt-resistant rootworms in Iowa & IL
 Declining bee and butterfly populations
 Altered bacterial communities in soil
 Glyphosate in air and rainwater
 Glyphosate toxic to earthworms
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12. CORPORATE CONTROL
Monsanto
 90% of GMO seeds
 300%+ increase in seed price
over ten years
 Difficult to stop using GMO
seeds once started
 Patenting the source of life
 Writing the regulations
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13. MONSANTO’S GOVERNMENT TIES
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14. GMO SALMON
 Imminent FDA approval
 Fears of wild species extinction
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15. LABEL IT
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