Module 12-Genetically modified crops

Question 1

what is genetically modified crops

Answer 1

Genetically modified crops are crops that have been genetically engineered to improve their performance

Question 2

if something has been genetically engineered how is it done

Answer 2

This means that either the desired gene(s) from one species have been transferred to the modified crop species or a gene in the crop species of interest has been altered with the use of gene-editing technology

Question 3

what were crops that had desired genes from one species have been transferred to the modified crop species called

Answer 3

originally these were referred to as transgenic crops

Question 4

what does the term genetically modify organism refer to (GMOs)

Answer 4

The term genetically modified organisms (GMOs) most commonly refers to crops although it does include animals, bacteria and yeasts

Question 5

what can GMO crops also be referred to as

Answer 5

The crops may also simply be referred to as genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) crops

Question 6

what traits have Crop species been genetically engineered for

Answer 6

improving growth characteristics, increasing yield and optimizing nutritional value.

Question 7

what are the main things crops have been GM for

Answer 7

pest resistance
dieses resistance
herbicide tolerance
cold tolerance
drought tolerance
nutrient enrichment

Question 8

how important are traditional plant breeding techniques in today’s agriculture

Answer 8

Traditional plant breeding techniques as they have been used in the past and continue to be used to improve the performance of crop species have been very effective in the development of most of today’s crops

Question 9

what advantages do genetically modifying plants have compared to traditional plant breeding techniques

Answer 9

However, genetic engineering allows for more precise alterations in the characteristics of the crop and provides a means of introducing desirable traits from other species genetic engineering also reduces the time it takes to change the characteristics of the crop species and makes it possible to move desirable genes from one species to another

Question 10

what are some potential hazards associated with genetically engineered crops

Answer 10

Potential hazards associated with genetically engineered crops include the risk of transferring genes advantageous for crop species to undesirable species and unintended consequences of transferred genes

For example, genes for herbicide tolerance transferred to weed species would negate the purpose of the genetic engineering for herbicide tolerance

Question 11

how could insect-resistant gene products have a negative impact

Answer 11

Insect resistant gene products may lack specificity and negatively impact beneficial or non-harmful insect species thereby upsetting the natural balance of the environment. The loss of insect species threatens the entire food chain, from the animals and birds that feed on the insects through the animals that feed on the insect-eaters

Question 12

what are people concerned about when eating GM plants

Answer 12

There are also concerns regarding potential negative effects of GMOs on the health of animals or people consuming the end-products although these latter concerns should be effectively discounted by the extensive testing required for GM products to reach the market, the widespread use of GM products in the foods we eat and the more than twenty years these products have been on market shelves.

Question 13

when was the first genetically engineered plant produced and what year

Answer 13

The first genetically engineered plant product sold commercially for human consumption was the Flavr Savr tomato, licensed for sale in 1994.

Question 14

what has the Flavr Savr tomato engineered to do and when was it discontinued

Answer 14

Production of the Flavr Savr tomato, genetically engineered to ripen more slowly than other tomatoes, was discontinued in 1997 because of difficulties transporting the delicate Flavr Savr tomatoes

Question 15

since the Flavr Savr was discontinued how many crops have been approved for sale and use in canada

Answer 15

However, since then, more than eighty genetically modified crops have been approved for sale and for use in the manufacture of foodstuffs in Canada.

Question 16

what benifits of GM crops has convinced environmental groups to agree with them

Answer 16

In spite of the apparent advantages to the environment that GM crops can confer – less chemical use and higher yields requiring less landbase, many environmental groups have taken a stand against GM crops believing that the potential risks outweigh benefits

Question 17

what are some anti-GM projects

Answer 17

Many organizations have evolved to oppose the production of GM crops including GMO Free, the Non-GMO Project and Millions Against Monsanto Other environmental groups such as Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation have taken strong stands against GM crops

Question 18

why do people want labeling on GM foods

Answer 18

Regardless of whether or not there is any potential risk in consuming GM plants, many believe that consumers have the right to know when foods contain GM products and to make their decisions accordingly

Question 19

why do people think its not necessary to put GM labelling on the food

Answer 19

Opponents of labeling state that labeling would confuse the consumer and that it is not possible to positively identify foods that do contain GM produce, only foods that may contain GM produce

Labeling opponents are also concerned that labeling foods as containing GM products may scare consumers away because of irrational fears

Question 20

besides produce what other products would require GM labeling

Answer 20

Foods that would require labeling also include meat products from livestock fed GM feeds

Question 21

what does health Canada state about GM products

Answer 21

Health Canada has stated that GM products do not pose a risk to consumers

Question 22

is labelling a current requirement for products containing ingredients from GM crops

Answer 22

While labeling is not currently required for products containing ingredients from GM crops in Canada, non-GMO labels abound

Question 23

why do people argue that labels are being used to sell products rater then inform people

Answer 23

The presence of non-GMO labels on products such as water and salt, however, suggests that the labels are being used to sell products rather than to inform consumers

Question 24

how many products have the international services for the acquisition of agriculture biotech applications approved

Answer 24

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications listed 32 approved crops modified for 44 traits with over 150 specified gene alterations in May 2021

Question 25

what are come commercially significant traits modified by bioengeneering crops

Answer 25

Commercially significant traits modified by bioengineering crops include abiotic stress tolerance, altered growth and yield characteristics, disease resistance, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, modified product quality and pollination control systems.

Question 26

how many crops is the vast majority of global biotechnology dedicated to

Answer 26

The vast majority of global biotechnoligically enhanced crop production is dedicated to five crops

Question 27

what are the 5 major dedicated crops to biotechnology

Answer 27

biotech soy beans
biotech mazie
biotech cotton
biotech conola
biotech alfalfa

Question 28

do all countries have the same GM policies

Answer 28

Policies around the world vary.

Question 29

how do GM policies vary

Answer 29

Many countries require extensive domestic testing of GM products prior to allowing commercial production of the crops whereas Canadian regulations permit commercial production of GM crops that have passed health safety testing in other countries and also the use of imported GM products that have been tested in other countries

Question 30

do no countries have labeling laws

Answer 30

Many countries around the world have mandatory labeling laws in place and any product that may contain more than 0.9 percent GM product must be labeled as such.

Question 31

in recent years how many country cultivated GM crops

Answer 31

As of 2019, GM crops were cultivated in 29 countries

Question 32

are you allowed to cultivate GM crops in developing countries

Answer 32

Recent adoption of GM crop cultivation in developing countries is granted on a case by case basis: (Bt cotton is now grown in India, Burkina-Faso, eSwatini and Zambia; GM corn is grown in Cuba, Zambia and Zimbabwe and GM soy is grown in Cuba)

Question 33

what is Russias history with GM crops

Answer 33

Both the cultivation and importation of GM crops was prohibited in Russia in 2014; this stand was reversed in 2020 when the import ban on soy was lifted and funding of gene-edited food crop research was implemented

Question 34

are GM crops used in the EU

Answer 34

Regulations in the European Union are a mixed bag with some countries prohibiting cultivation of specific crops or all crops and others embracing growth of GM crops

The Farm to Fork initiative in the European Union aims to dedicate 25 percent of European farmland to organic agriculture which will limit cultivation of GM crops although the EU is home to the biggest consumers of GM crops.