2. What are GMO’s?
• Genetically modified
organisms are genetically
engineered plants and animals
• Chemically advanced to
withstand the direct
application of herbicides and
insecticide
• Offered anywhere in the
United States
• Modified to advance the plant
or animal beyond expectation
3. Myth or Truth?
Myths of GMO’s
Facts of GMO’s
1. Different than natural
1. Breeding animals
breeding, poses special risks
2. Precise and predictable data
2. Crude and imprecise
3. Strictly regulated
3. Varies in most countries from
4. Safe to eat
non existent to weak
5. No one has fallen ill due to
4. Can be toxic or allergenic
GMO’s
5. No scientific evidence
6.Tested for ability to cause
supports this
allergic reactions
6. No thorough testing for
7. GM animal feed is no risk to the
allergens
animal or humans health
7. Feed affects animal and may
affect the human consuming it
4. Is My Family Consuming GMO’s?
• The sad truth is that most
children consume GMO’s on
a daily basis
• In North America 80% of the
food contains GMO’s.
• Most common GMO’s:
- Soy
- Cotton
- Corn
- Canola
- Alfalfa
- sugar beets
5. Why Organic is Better
• Shopping organic is the easiest way to ensure that
you and your family are not consuming products
containing GMO’s
• Organic foods have very limited synthetic inputs
• Apply natural fertilizers such as manure
• Use traps and beneficial bugs to maintain crop
• Feed animals organic foods
• All organic products are labelled as organic
• Organic and Natural do not mean the same thing,
don’t get confused!
7. Benefits of GMO’s on Farmers
• Increased crop yield: using herbicides have been
linked to crop yields
• Using GM seeds will decrease the application of
pesticides
• Increased profits have been seen in the increasing
use of GMO’s
8. Concerns of GMO’s on Farmers
• Contractual issues requires farmers to sign contracts
when buying their GM seeds
• Farmers have limited rights to use and retain seeds
• Farmers are held liable for an injury, losses or
damages from the product
10. Super Bugs and Super Weeds
Super Bugs
Super Weeds
• Antibiotic resistant strain of
bacteria that’s able to survive after
exposure to the antibiotic
• Some super bugs still have an
antibiotic that works on them
• Pose problems for people
undergoing medical and surgical
procedures
• Most common superweeds are
resistant to glyphosate
• Farmers apply herbicides to try
and control them
• Climbing costs of herbicides to
control the superweeds have
greatly increased
11. Advantages of GMO’s
• Higher crop yields
• More informed
customers
• Farmers have higher
incomes
• Decrease in costs of
farming
• Less deforestation
• Less starvation in the
world
• More thoroughly
understood crops
• Enhancement of the
food product itself
• Higher resistance to
disease
• Less machinery
• Less labor requirements
• Strict standards they
must meet
12. Disadvantages of GMO’s
• Harm to organisms
• Doesn’t taste “natural”
• Spread of superweeds
• Spread of superbugs
• New trade, tariff and
quota issues
• May cause health
problems
• Larger companies have
more power
• Possible greed to GMO
manufactures
• Unforeseen allergen
risks
• Allergies may become
more intense
• New allergies may arise
• Widening corporate size
gaps between food
producing giants and
smaller ones
14. References
• Living, Michael G. Organic Beauty. 2005. Photograph. Web.
• "Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops
(GMOS)." HubPages. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
• "Superweeds: A Frightening Reality |." Just Label It. N.p., n.d.
Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
• Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Organic Foods: Are They Safer? More
Nutritious?" Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, 07 Sept. 2012. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
• "A Collaborative Initiative Working to Ensure the Sustained
Availability of Non-GMO Options." The NonGMO Project RSS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
• "GMO Labeling: State of the States - Modern Farmer." Modern
Farmer. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
• "14 Year Old Takes On TV Host Over GMO’s And Wins."
PopularResistanceOrg. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
