Genetically Modified Organisms
By: Peyton, Walker, Justin, Kobe and Anusha
GMO Coppell Survey Results
- 86% of people know what GMO stands for.
- 92% think they eat GMOs.
- 80% would pay more for non GMO food.
- 86% of people want GMOs labeled.
- 62% of people think it's safe to eat GMOs.
- 58% think it is safe for the environment.
- 92% think fast food restaurants use it.
- 56% think that the government is doing enough about GMOs.
- 42% of people think that GMOs should be banned.
Genetics
Possible GMO's in Produce
- Apples
- Red Peppers
- Lemons
- Corn
- Cucumber/Zucchini
- Papayas
Genetic Modification Process
- The gene is inserted into a self replicating gene of DNA called plasmid.
- Then the plasmid is cut at an enzyme site.
- The gene is inserted into the plasmid and the ends are sealed by an enzyme.
- The altered plasma is then inserted back to its original and the host cells pass on the new information to the next generation.
Meiosis
- Meiosis definition- a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells
- Organism replicates it's DNA during reproduction
- DNA is passed down to next generations by meiosis
History of GMO's
- 1935- Andrei Nikolaevtich discovered how to isolate DNA
- 1975- A group of biologists, lawyers, and doctors created guidelines for the use of GMOs.
- 1980- First GMO patent was issued when GE created a bacteria that had an appetite for oil to clean up oil spills.
- 1982- The first GMO is approved by the FDA.
- 1992- FDA said GMO foods weren't unhealthy and didn't require labels
- 1994- First GMO tomato is on the shelves at grocery stores.
Government Decisions
- Regulation of GM crops in the United States is divided among three regulatory agencies: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
- EPA regulates biopesticides.
- FDA is responsible for regulating the safety of GM crops that are eaten by humans or animals.
- The EPA regulates pesticides and microorganisms developed through genetic engineering.
Safety Regulations/Labeling
- 1997- The European Union made labels on GMOs mandatory
- American Medical Association re-affirmed that there is no scientific justification for special labeling of foods that contain GM ingredients
- GMOs are the most regulated and tested product in agricultural history
- Several states have passed regulations concerning labelling of GM food
Harmful Factors of GMOs
- There have been many changes with GMO's
- Old techniques included using Chloropyrifos, which is an organophosphate insecticide.
- The pesticides are often misused, especially in developing countries
- Another dangerous pesticide is Methyl Bromide which is used in strawberry production
- Many pesticides cause harm to humans in the long
- In 2009, farmers dumped 57 million pounds glyphosate on food crops which harmed many factors contributing to growing crops
- Controversy towards 2,4-D (a carcinogen capable of causing tissue cancer
- The amount of pesticides used for crops add millions of toxic pesticides into the environment.
Sources
Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States." Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/usa.php>.
"The Regulation of GMOs in Europe and the United States: A Case-Study of Contemporary European Regulatory Politics." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://www.cfr.org/agricultural-policy/regulation-gmos-europe-united-states-case-study-contemporary-european-regulatory-politics/p8688>.
"GMO's." GMO Facts. GMO AAwareness, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://gmoawareness.org/gmo-facts/>.
"GMO Timeline: A History of Genetically Modified Foods - GMO Inside." GMO Inside. N.p., 10 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://gmoinside.org/gmo-timeline-a-history-genetically-modified-foods/>.
"GMO's." Genetically Modified Organisms. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/>.
"GMO Facts." GMOS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2016. <https://factsaboutgmos.org>.