local and global food issues Flashcards
GMO
Genetically Modified Organisms
GMOs ARE
Plants with one or more genetic characteristics that were inserted into the genome using biotechnology.
GMOs ARE NOT
Plants that were improved through artificial selection processes like cross breeding, hybridization, or mutagenesis.
GMOs are created by injecting chemicals into food after it is harvested.
GMOs are developed through genetic engineering where scientists insert specific traits into the DNA of the seed before it is ever planted. The plant grows just like regular seeds. The trait can also be transferred to other varieties through traditional cross-breeding.
Using GM crop varieties would be beneficial for every country.
false
Many developing countries do not have the technology/resources to benefit from GMOs. For example, without access to herbicides, using herbicide tolerant crops would not be beneficial.
Question 1: Should food products made with GMOs be labeled?
Question 1: Should food products made with GMOs be labeled?
Pro-GM: Labeling would incite fear and prevent public acceptance of these products. The US Food and Drug Administration requires labeling based on food content and nutrition, not on how the product was created. We should NOT label food items.
Consumers have the right to know whether the product they are purchasing is genetically engineered or contains ingredients from GM crops. Consumers may object to consumption of GM foods on the basis of health, religious, or ethical concerns. We SHOULD label food items.
Question 2: Are foods from GMOs safe to eat?
There are no inherent differences between foods produced from genetically modified (GM) plants and those from non-GM crops. They are totally safe to eat.
There are not enough independent (non-industry) studies of the health effects of GM foods to have confidence in their safety. We need more research to be sure they are safe to eat.
example GMO
example of a GMO is a BT crop, which produces a protein toxic to certain insects. Another genetic engineering technique is the
CRISPR-Cas9 system, which allows for the precise editing of an
organism’s DNA
Genetic engineering
the deliberate modification of an organism’s DNA using biotechnology techniques to produce desired traits.
Genetically modified organism (GMO)
an organism that has had its genetic material altered using genetic engineering techniques.
Transgenic
an organism that contains DNA from another species.
Herbicide
a chemical substance used to control or kill weeds.
Insecticide
a chemical substance used to control or kill insects.
Pesticide
a chemical substance used to control or kill pests.
Drought-tolerant -
able to withstand or survive in conditions of low water availability. Crossbreeding - the process of breeding two different species or varieties to produce offspring with desirable traits.
Superweed -
a weed that has become resistant to herbicides and is difficult to control or eliminate.
Patents
legal protections granted to inventors of new products, processes, or designs that give them exclusive rights to sell or use their invention for a period of time.
Biotechnology
the use of living organisms, cells, or biological processes to develop products or technologies.
Genomics
the study of an organism’s complete genetic material, including its DNA and RNA.
Selective breeding
the process of breeding plants or animals with desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits.
Yield
the amount of a crop that is produced per unit of land area.
Labeling
the process of attaching a label or other form of identification to a product to provide information about its contents, origin, or other attributes.
Stages of Food Production
Agricultural Stage
Processing Stage
Food Services OR Grocery Retail OR Direct to consumer
Consumer Use
What is organic farming?
Relies on techniques such as…
Green manure
A crop/plant that is plowed under while green to enrich the soil
Adds necessary nutrients for plants to grow
Crop Rotation
Compost
Biological Pest Control
Crop Rotation
Growing a series of dissimilar/different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons
Replenishes nitrogen in soil
mitigates the build-up of pathogens and pests
improve soil structure and fertility by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants
Integrated Pest Management
Pest control approach that uses current information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with the environment combined with available pest control
Tries to manage pest damage by the most economical means with the least hazard to people, property, and the environment
Intercropping
Growing more than one crop in the same field
Offers…
Stability
Reduced chemical use
Reduces fertilizer and pesticide requirement
Overyielding
Yields more than would in monoculture
No Tillage
Way of growing crops from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage (preparing the soil with methods such as digging, stirring, and overturning)
Less fuel/equipment operation time
Reduces erosion and runoff
Reduces in labor and equipment costs
Special machinery may be needed
Crop damage from disease outbreak and nuisance insects are more likely
Controversies
Overuse of antibiotics in agriculture endangers humans
Chemicals in Herbicides are highly toxic to humans and animals, and can be lethal if used incorrectly
Genetic resistance because of pesticides (plants begin to become resistant to certain pesticides as a result of overuse)
Canadian Agricultural Products Act
Designed to to set national standards and grades for agricultural products in import, export, and interprovincial trade
provide for national standards and grades of agricultural products, for their inspection and grading, for the registration of establishments and for standards governing establishments
What is Food Security?
ACCESSIBILITY
AVAILABILITY
ADEQUACY
ACCEPTABILITY
ACCESSIBILITY
All people should have physical and economic access to food, by purchasing it, growing it, or trading for it
AVAILABILITY
All people should be able to get food consistently when they need it.
ADEQUACY
All people should be able to get enough nutritious food that has been grown and prepared safely in an environmentally sustainable manner
ACCEPTABILITY
All people should be able to obtain food that meets their cultural preferences, religious requirements, and or dietary needs.
Explain how food production affects climate change?
Food needs to be grown and processed, transported, distributed, prepared, consumed, and sometimes disposed of. Each of these steps creates greenhouse gases that trap the sun’s heat and contribute to climate change.
Explain ways we can make our food supply more sustainable
grow your own food
eat more vegatbles
reduce food waste
How can technology help to reduce the environmental impacts of farming?
optimize planting, irrigation, and fertilization to reduce waste and increase efficiency
How does deforestation impact climate change?
If forests are cleared, or even disturbed, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming.
