Genetically Modified

Organisms (GMOs)
What are they & how they affect the
field of AGRICULTURE?
What is a Genetically Modified Organism?
• It involves the insertion of DNA from
one organism into another OR
modification of an organism’s DNA in
order to achieve a desired trait.

Suntory "blue" rose

GMO: What is it?
 DNA from two different species are
combined to create a new species
 Examples that exist:
 Goat & spider
 Salmon & ocean pout
 Soybean & BT (bacteria)
 Corn & bacteria

+ =
Some genetically modified foods
Some genetically modified foods

Golden rice
genetically modified baby
Genetically Modified Foods
Cons
• Introducing allergens and toxins to food
• Accidental cross pollination
• Antibiotic resistance
• Creation of "super" weeds and other
environmental risks
Genetically Modified Foods
Pros
• Increased pest and disease resistance
• Grow food in harsh climate
• Increased food supply (more food/acre)
• More nutritional value
• Make drugs

Ring spot virus

GMO: Where are they grown?
 GM crops & food introduced in mid 1990s
 2005 world production map of GMOs.
Solid orange - produce more than 95% of GMO products
Orange stripes - produce commercialized GMO products.
Orange dots - participating in experimental GM crops.
GMO: Where are they labeled?
GMO: Why are they made?

 Pest/insect resistant crops

 Ex: BT Corn or BT Soy
 Weed resistant crops
 Ex: Round-up Ready

 Increased yields for first 2-3 years, then decreasing

yields thereafter
 Chemical fertiziler + chemical plant = chemical crop
 Crops need more & more chemicals to control the
superweeds
 Agent orange resistant crop is awaiting approvals
 2009 Failure to Yield, UCS Study
 Rodale Institute, Chemical vs. Organic, 30-yr Farming Trial
GMO:
Who
makes
them?
GMO: How are they made?
 Equipment:  Ingredients:
 DNA gun  Species 1 DNA
 Petri Dish  Species 2 DNA
 Virus
 Promoter
 Marker Gene
DNA Recombinant
Technology
Recombinant DNA
Technology
A series of procedures used to
recombine DNA segments..
Under certain conditions, a
recombinant DNA molecule can
enter a cell and replicate.
History of Recombinant
DNA Technology
Recombinant DNA technology is one of
the recent advances in biotechnology,
which was developed by two scientists
named Boyer and Cohen in 1973.
Basic principle of recombinant
DNA technology
The DNA is inserted into another DNA
molecule called ‘vector’.

The recombinant vector is then

introduced into a host cell where it
replicates itself, the gene is then
produced.
GMO: How to Avoid GMOs

 Buy Organic, when products contain corn, soy, canola,

sugar, cotton, squash, & hawaiian papaya
 Look for the NON GMO Verified Logo
 Download free app from
www.nongmoshoppingguide.com
 Avoid at-risk ingredients
GMO: More information, Q&A
 Local Label GMOs Chapter (http://www.labelgmos.org/ ),
 Email me at sas.hadden@gmail.com
 More information
 Movies:
 Food Inc.
 King Corn
 Genetic Roulette
 Future of Food
 Interview:
 Dr. Mercola Interviews Dr. Don Huber about GMO ~(2 parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4swW9OFmf8
 Websites:
 GMO crops & sources –
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/gmo-basics/gmos-in-food
 GMOs FAQs - http://www.responsibletechnology.org/faqs
 Educational Brochures and more - http://seedsofdeception.com/store/