1. WHAT IS GMO?

2. A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) or genetically engineered organisms (GEO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs contain no DNA from other species and are therefore not transgenic but cisgenic.

3. USES GMOs have widespread applications. They are used in biological and medical research, production of pharmaceutical drugs, experimental medicine (e.g. gene therapy) and agriculture (e.g. golden rice). The term “genetically modified organism” does not always imply, but can include, targeted insertion of genes from one species to another.

4. What are the advantages anddisadvantages of GMO?

6. More economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil, and water (especially freshwater supplies). Their production hazards to the environment also decreases.

7. More economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil, and water (especially freshwater supplies). Their production hazards to the environment also decreases.

8. Farmers have more income, which they could spend on such things as, for example, the education of their children.

9. Higher crop yields..

11. Decrease in food prices due to lower costs and higher yield. As people in poor countries spend over half of their income on food alone, lower food prices mean an automatic reduction of poverty.

12. Less starvation in the world due to decreased food prices.

13. Rigorous testing of ALL GMO crops and products. This makes GMOs much safer than organic (the traditional) crops.

15. Cross-pollination with traditional, organic plants. Cross pollination can occur at quite large distances. New genes may also be included in the offspring of the traditional, organic crops miles away. This makes it difficult to distinguish which crop field is organic, and which is not, posing a problem to the proper labeling of non-GMO food products.

16. As the USA is the biggest producer of GMO crops, their exports may rouse more anti-American feeling, due to “Americanization” worldwide.

18. Unharmonizedtest-, and safety standards around the world.

19. GMOs are made because it is possible to make them, not because consumers feel their need.

20. Widening corporate size gaps between food producing giants and smaller ones. This might cause a consolidation in the market: fewer competitors increase the risk of oligopolies, which might increase food prices.

21. Activists’ increased ability to boycott and influence food market, food retailing, and food prices.

22. Discrepancies in information flow. GMO producers stress the benefits, but are reluctant to talk about risks and dangers.

24. CARMINA CARAULIA BSED 1-C