Genetically Modified Foods

1
Genetically Modified Foods

• Presented by
• Steve Nelson,
• Sara Nazemian, and
• Warner Au

2
Brief Overview

• What are Genetically Modified Foods (GMF)?
• What are the issues surrounding GMF?
• What are we to do?

3
What are GMFs?

• Foods in which the genes have been modified or
  manipulated by human means so that they exhibit
  characteristics other than what they would in
  their natural state.
• Example Adding human growth hormone to pigs in
  order to make them grow faster.

4
How are GMFs Produced?

• Through the exchange of genes between unrelated
  species that cannot naturally exchange genes with
  each other.

• Methods
• Recombinant DNA
• Microinjection
• Electro- and Chemical Poration
• Bioballistics

5
Where Can GMFs Be Found?

• Everywhere! Here is a list of some common foods
  that contain genetically modified ingredients.
• McDonalds, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried
  Chicken in the US continue to use genetically
  engineered soy and corn ingredients.

6
Professional Issues

• Major corporations Monsanto, Aventis, Novartis,
  Astra-Zeneca, DuPont, Agrevo
• Replication of certain agricultural products,
  made for the purpose of mass consumption.
• Field of genetic engineering is still filled with
  many questions.

7
Legal Issues

• In the US, as long as the original specimen was
  considered safe and the proposed changes are
  within safe levels, its as good as GRAS.
• Regulations in the US are relatively lenient when
  compared to those of other nations.

8
Example of Regulations

• rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) has been
  banned in Canada, 1999, and the European Union,
  1994.

9
Ethical Issues

• When you tamper with the genes, you are tampering
  with the natural patterns of our world at the
  most basic and most dangerous level.
• Is it ethically right to distribute a product
  that is potentially dangerous?

10
Dangers of GMFs

• Increased risk of breast, prostate, and/or colon
  cancer.
• Allergies to unknown components in a GMF.
• Damage to food quality and nutritional value.
• Genetic pollution

11
Dangers of GMFs (contd)

• More and more scientists are warning that genetic
  manipulation can increase the levels of natural
  plant toxins in foods.
• Creation of Superweeds and Superpests

12
Possible Methods of Action

• Keep the status quo.
• Keep things relatively the same, except require
  labeling of all products containing GMFs.
• Total ban
• Research only

13
Consequences of Keeping the Status Quo

• Potential threat to the environment
• Risk of killing everyone
• Leaves open the possibility for further research
• Who knowssomething good may come out of this
  technology

14
Rights/fairness of the Status Quo

• Respects the rights of the biotech companies to
  conduct their business without interference from
  the government
• Denies the rights of consumers to know what
  theyre introducing into their systems.

15
Consequences of Required Labeling

• Consumers could become more aware of the products
  they are using.
• GMFs will still be distributed on a wide-spread
  basis.
• Progress in research field can continue.

16
Rights/fairness of Required Labeling

• Consumers have the right to know what they are
  consuming.
• Biotech companies can still profit off of their
  products.
• Farmers and manufacturers can continue on with
  the production of GMFs.

17
Consequences of a Total Ban

• The potential of danger is significantly reduced.
• No possible benefits can ever be discovered.
• Markets must remove any products found to be
  genetically engineered (royal pain in arse).
• Farmers must destroy any GE seeds/crops (bigger
  pain in arse).

18
Rights/fairness of Total Ban

• May save consumers from potential health hazards
  caused by GMFs.
• Protects the environment.
• Creates extra burden for farmers and markets to
  clean up.
• Incapacitates the genetic engineering industry.

19
Consequences of Research Only

• Can further develop our understanding of both the
  benefits and dangers of GMF.
• Reduces the risk of any widespread harm that
  could be done.

20
Rights/fairness of Research Only

• Keeps any hazardous GMFs away from consumers.
• Scientists can do more research on GMFs.
• Farmers and markets must still get rid of all GE
  products they may still have.
• Biotech companies will suffer somewhat due to
  reduced volume of sales.

21
What Are We to Do?

• Things to examine
• Who are the stakeholders?
• Different theoretical perspectives.

22
Stakeholders

• Anyone/anything that eats or drinks.
• Farmers
• Biotech companies
• The organism(s) being altered.
• The environment that is subjected to these
  modifications.

23
Utilitarian Perspective

• Required labeling
• Field is advanced enough that the risk of harming
  everyone is negligible.
• In this case everyone has the choice of whether
  or not to eat GMFs.
• Does provide more food at a cheaper cost for
  those who are in need of it.

24
Virtue Perspective

• GMF production limited to research purposes only.
• Avoids the risk of harming people using a
  technology that is not yet fully understood.
• Provides hope for the future through discovery of
  new benefits that may come out of GMFs.

25
Rights Perspective

• Required labeling
• Gives individuals the right to choose what
  products they want to consume.
• Allows the biotech and agricultural industries to
  carry on with business as usual.

26
Final Conclusion

• Efforts should be directed towards the required
  labeling of all products containing any
  Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
• Consumers rights are protected, biotech
  companies and farmers can still make a profit,
  and scientists can continue to further their
  research in this field.

27
For Those Concerned About GMF Consumption

• Here are some guidelines to avoid GMF consumption
  today
• Transgenic crops currently on the market
• List of genetically altered foods