Genetically Modified Foods

How to GM food? Fire a gene "gun" at DNA. Somewhat randomly affecting DNA -plant them out and see what happens. -most die

Between 1997 and 2005, the area of land under cultivation has increased by a factor of 50, from 4 Million acres to 220 million acres. In the US, by 2006 89% of the planted area of soybeans, 83% of cotton, and 61% maize were genetically modified varieties. Labeling -No labeling required in the US -The EU has strict rules on labeling anything that has over 0.5% GM ingredients. Currently, there are a number of food species in which a genetically modified version exists. Food Properties of the genetically modified variety Resistant to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides Resistant to glyphosate or glufosinate herbicides, Insect resistance - using Bt proteins some previously used as pesticides in organic crop production. Corn, field Vitamin-enriched corn derived from South African white corn variety M37W has bright orange kernels, with 169x increase in beta carotene, 6x the vitamin C and 2x folate.[9] Pest-resistant cotton New genes added/transferred into plant genome. 60% TBA Modification Herbicide resistant gene taken from bacteria inserted into soybean Percent in UK Percent in world TBA

Soybeans

89%

Cotton

B.t. crystal protein gene

83%

TBA

(cottonseed oil) Hawaiian Papaya Variety is resistant to the Papaya ringspot virus.[10] Variety in which the production of the enzyme polygalacturonase (PG) is suppressed, retarding fruit softening after harvesting. [11] Amflora variety produces starch composed almost exclusively of the amylopectin component of starch.[12] Resistance to herbicides (glyphosate or glufosinate), High laurate canola[13] Resistance to certain pesticides, High-sucrose cane. Resistance to glyphosate, glufosinate herbicides Produces its own bioinsecticide (B.t. toxin) Genetically modified to contain high amounts of Vitamin A (beta-carotene)

added/transferred into plant genome New gene added/transferred into plant genome A reverse copy (an antisense gene) of the gene responsible for the production of PG enzyme added into plant genome +50% TBA

Tomatoes

Taken off the market due to commercial failure.

None

Potatoes

The gene for granule Amflora will be bound starch synthase produced solely (GBSS) (the key under contract enzyme for the farming conditions synthesis of amylose) and not made was switched off by available on the inserting antisense copy general market. of the GBSS gene. New genes added/transferred into plant genome New genes added/transferred into plant genome New genes added/transferred into plant genome Gene from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis added to the plant. "Golden rice" Three new genes implanted: two from daffodils and the third from a bacterium 75%

TBA

Rapeseed (Canola) Sugar cane

TBA

TBA

TBA

Sugar beet

TBA

TBA

Sweet corn

TBA

TBA

Rice

TBA

TBA

In addition, various genetically engineered micro-organisms are routinely used as sources of enzymes for the manufacture of a wide variety of processed foods. These include alpha-amylase from bacteria, which converts starch to simple sugars, chymosin from bacteria or fungi that clots milk protein for cheese making, and pectinesterase from fungi which improves fruit juice clarity.[14] Where are they grown In 2003 (percent of all GM foods)

-63% grown in USA -21% grown in Argentina -6% grown in Canada -4% grown in Brazil -4% grown in China -1% grown in South Africa Grocery Manufactures of America estimate 75% of all processed foods in the USA include GM foods Flavr Savr First GM crop on market, GM'ed to make the tomatoes easier for travel, doesn't rot as fast. Found to be resistant to antibiotics Taken off the marked because of fear that it would make people resistant to antibiotics Dr, Aprad Pusztai, UK scientist hired to create health protocol for GM in Europe -studied GM foods with Rats -found higher rates of -precancerous cells in digestive tract -inhibited development of brains, livers and testicles -partial atrophy of the liver -enlarged pancreases and intestines -immune system damage -He concluded that it was not the insecticide gene causing these health problems -it was the process of GM itself. Popularity of GM A 2003 survey by the Pew Research Center -majority of people in all countries surveyed felt that GM foods were "bad". -The lowest scores were in the US and Canada, where 55% and 63% were against it -the highest were in Germany and France with 81% and 89% disapproving. -a strong tendency for women to be more opposed to GM foods than men. [2]