Genetically Modified Food

Jyothsna Sarikonda

Argument

People should know the effects of

Genetically Modified Food

Sub Argument 1:
Benefits of GMO
Sub Argument 2:
Health risks associated with GMO
Sub Argument 3:
Awareness about GMO

Danger!
31

year old Spanish person Juan Pedro Ramos died after

consuming GM Tomatoes in Madrid hospitalin the beginning
of January this year.
GM tomatoes consumed by him caused allergic reactions.
Had number of symptoms like itchy rash, swelling of the
throat, and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

GM Food Controversy
Effects

of Genetic Engineering surfaced from

a study on the effect of GM corn pollen on
butterfly caterpillars.
Consumers concern on long term human
health effects like anti-biotic resistance,
allergies and unnatural nutritional changes.

Genetically Modified (GM) Food

Foods

produced from organisms that have had

specific changes introduced into their DNA
using the methods of genetic engineering.
Food that contain added gene sequence.
Food that have deleted gene sequence.
Products produced by GM organisms.

Introduction

GMO Background
Commercial Sale of GM Foods started in 1994.
Primarily focused on Cash Crops like Soya beans and
corn.
By 1998, more than 26 percent of the cotton, 40
percent of the soybean acreage in the US was planted
with GM crops
60-fold rise in the application of Agricultural
biotechnology since 1996
Predicted that, by 2015, more than 200 million
hectares of lands will be planted by biotech crops in
about 40 countries

Sub Argument 1

Possible benefits of GMO

Easing

of world hunger
Development of drought resistant crops
Development of salt-tolerant crops
Reduced use of pesticides and herbicides
Reduced herbicide use is better for the
environment and reduces costs for farmers

Sub Argument 2

Health effects of GMO

Insects

might develop resistance to pesticide-producing GM crops.

Herbicide-tolerant

super weeds.

crops may cross-pollinate weeds, resulting in

Certain

gene products may be allergens, thus causing harm to

human health.

Financially

effect to famers who cannot afford to produce GM

products as biotech industries can.

Financial Effects
Big

money organizations are misusing the

technology to their advantage.

Making

more and selling for less to make more

profit margin compared to conventional foods.

Leaves

no choice to the farmers and to the

consumers.

Sub Argument 3

GMO Survey Results

10%

No
Unsure

20%

Yes
70%

Are GMO Safe

Do you know about Genetically Modified

Food and are they safe?

Survey Results - Continued

80.00%
70.00%

70.00%
60.00%

Total

50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%

10.00%

5.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%
All

Internet

Internet,TV

TV

TV and Radio

Prefered Source of GMO Info

Is there enough information available about GMO and what kind of

source would you prefer to know about GMO?

Survey Results - Continued

Taste; 10% Do not know; 5%

Price; 15%
Health and Taste; 10%
Health; 60%

Main Concern About GMO

Main concern on
consuming GMO

Allergic

35%

Carcinogenic
50%

Toxins

15%

Main health concern

Effects of Consuming

Survey Results Continued

45%
40%

40%
35%
30%

30%

Total
25%

25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

5%

Depends

No

Unsure

Interested In Buying GMOs

Prefer Buying GMOs after

knowing the facts

Yes

Conclusion
GM
Be

Foods provide us some benefits as well as losses.

transparent with the information about GMO.

Government

should regulate the safety testing and

labeling of GMOs.

Proceed

with caution and avoid unintended harm to

human health and environment.

Human

Health and Environment are fragile. Lets

protect them !