This document discusses genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including what they are, how they are made, media concerns about them, scientists' concerns, benefits of GMOs, and efforts to address concerns. GMOs are plants or animals that have had genes from an unrelated species inserted into their genomes to produce desired traits like pest or disease resistance. Common genetically engineered crops include corn, soybeans, and cotton. Several studies have found that GMOs are nutritionally equivalent to non-GMOs and that the technology is rigorously regulated to ensure safety. While some risks remain, the economic and nutritional benefits of GMOs are considered to outweigh the small risks when properly regulated.

1. Genetic Modification of Food
Aram. Emma. Goldy. Matt.

2. What Is a GMO?
• Genetically Modified Organisms are plants or animals which have an
unrelated species’ gene inserted into their genomes so to produce specific
characteristics.
• Commonly genetically modified plants are corn, canola, soybean, and cotton.
The majority of those plants in the US are genetically modified (FDA).
• No GM animals have been approved for sale for human consumption in the
US.
• Genetic modifications make crops more resistant to extreme weather
conditions, pests, and diseases, or improves nutritional value.

3. How Are GMOs Made?
A plasmid, a small circular piece of DNA containing a few genes of
interest, can be constructed through the use of restriction enzymes
and ligation enzymes. The newly made plasmid can then be
replicated by the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR. The plasmids
are then introduced to the target organism. Plasmids also contain a
marker gene, which enables the identification of and selective
growing of organisms containing the plasmid, to ensure that only
organisms containing the plasmid and its genes are used.

4. Media Concerns Over GMOs

5. 02/06/14
• Nutritional differences between GMO food and non-GMO
food[1A,3A].
• Allergic reactions[2A]
• Nutritional differences between GMO and non-GMO food. [1B]
• Transferring genes is unnatural. [1B]
Scientists’ Concerns Over GMOs

6. Benefits of GMOs

7. Concerns Put to Rest
• Several studies found that GMOs are not significantly nutritionally
different from their non-GMO counterparts[1A, 3A] (unless, of course, a
GM crop was specifically made to have enhanced nutritional value).
• Gene transfer is not an entirely alien or unnatural process; microbes
engage in horizontal gene transfer and occasionally share genes with
eukaryotes as well[4A].
• New genes and corresponding proteins are rigorously screened for
potential to cause allergic reactions. This makes it highly unlikely that
a GM food will cause an allergic reaction[2A].

8. Concerns Put to Rest
• Several studies found that GMOs are not significantly nutritionally
different from their non-GMO counterparts[1A, 3A] (unless the GM crop
was specifically modified to have enhanced nutritional value).
• Gene transfer is not an entirely alien or unnatural process; microbes
engage in horizontal gene transfer and occasionally share genes with
eukaryotes as well[4A].
• New genes and corresponding proteins are rigorously screened for
potential to cause allergic reactions. This makes it highly unlikely that
a GM food will cause an allergic reaction[2A].

9. Concerns Put to Rest (cont.)
• As of yet, the potential for GMOs to cause environmental harm is
comparable to that of conventional crops[2A].
• Large corporations are not the only ones involved with or benefiting
from GM technology. GM technology is also used for independent
and humanitarian purposes.
• The pesticide in Bt corn has been used for years in conventional
farming, even organic farming[2A].
• GMOs are regulated by several agencies and are required to be as
safe as or safer than conventional foods[2A].

10. Remaining Concerns
If current screening practices are not maintained, it is possible that
a GMO may be introduced that can cause allergic reactions in
some individuals[2A].
The pests and diseases GM crops are made resistant to may
eventually overcome the resistances of the GM crop, and a new
resistance factor may need to be added[2A].

11. Conclusion
• There is nothing that suggests that GMOs are unsafe to
consume.
• The economic and nutritional benefits of the technology far
outweigh the small risks.
• The media tends to portray GMOs as being very risky, not
beneficial, and not at all regulated. There are fairer media
sources, but these are drowned out by the unfair portrayals.
• In truth, GMOs have only a small risk, and proper regulation is in
place to ensure that no harm comes of this.

12. References
• 1A – Comparison of Broiler Performance when Fed Diets Containing
Roundup Ready (event RT73), Nontransgenic Control, or Commercial
Canola Meal M.L. Taylor et. al.
• 2A - Tempest in a Tea Pot: How did the Public Conversation on Genetically
Modified Crops Drift so far from the Facts? Daniel A. Goldstein
• 3A – Performance of growing-finishing pigs fed dients containing Roundup
Ready corn (event nk603), a nontransgenic genetically similar corn, or
conventional corn lines Y. Hyun et. al.
• 4A – Assessing the survival of transgenic plant NDA in the human
gastrointestinaltract, Trudy Netherwood et.al.