Genetically Modified Foods Flashcards
What are genetically modified foods
GMO’s are organisms which have been genetically engineered
Their DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally
DNA chains are subdivided into genes
Genes give plants and animals their characteristics
Selected genes can be transferred into other, non-related organisms, which then gets passed down to its off spring
They are called transgenic organisms
They create plants with disease resistance, increased nutrional value and longer shelf life
10 examples of GMO foods
Corn - cereal/flour
Corn syrup - processed foods
Soy - processed food and baby formula
Cotton
Cotton seed - oil in fast food industry
Papaya
Rice
Grapeseed (Canola) - oil and margarine
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Dairy products
Peas
Advantages for farmers, manufacturers and consumers of GM crops
Crops are pest resistant:
Reduced need for pesticides
Benefits environment as fewer chemicals
Lower production cost, cheaper food
Crops are herbicide resistant and can be sprayed without harming them
Crops are resistant to disease and unfavorable conditions:
Survive extreme temperature, drought
Grow in unproductive soil
Can use low agricultural areas to grow crops
Crop yield and production improves (food security)
Increased shelf life
Improved processing and manufacturing characteristics
Improved appearance, size, firmness, juiciness, seedlessness, taste, texture
More nutritious - golden rice (Vit A)
Edible vaccines - bananas (cholera resistance/Hepatitis B)
GM sheep can produce a human protein in milk that can treat lung disease
Bacteria and other micro-organisms used to make medicine
Disadvantages of GM crops
Allergic reactions:
Protein can be inserted into previously non-allergenic food
Effect of transferred genes in unclear
Antibiotic resistance
Ethical concerns - animals grow quicker and slaughtered younger
Cause natural organisms to die out
Impact is unpredictable and potentially uncontrollable
Are GM foods safe
Include different genes inserted in different ways
Assessed on an individual basis
Can not generalise
Must pass risk assessment testing
Testing for safety of GM foods
Extensive safety testing is done on impact on humans and environment
Potential human health risks of GM foods
No data proving harmless, impact is not fully determined
Consider:
Toxicity levels
Allergenicity
Nutritional properties
Long-term safety and stability - monitored for 6 growing seasons
Potential environmental concerns of GM crops
Effects on plant, animal, insect and bird life
Engineered gene could be introduced into wild populations
Susceptibility of non-target organisms - insects eating poisoned aphids and then dying
Loss of biodiversity
Chemicals in agriculture
Super weeds
Soil erosion
GM food in South Africa
GMO act number 15 of 1997 - all companies importing/selling GM foods need a permit and must publish intentions in 3 newspapers
All locally produced/imported food with more than 5% GM ingredients must be labelled (excludes processed food)
GM crops been produced since 1999
Most consumers are unaware
