Genetically Modified Foods

1
Genetically Modified Foods

• Michael Tung
• Ryan Benevedes
• Jesse Pyeatt
• Giovanni Minelli

2
What is genetically modified food?

• Definition - food plants that have been
  genetically altered by the addition of foreign
  genes to enhance a desired trait.
• Examples selective breeding, seedless fruits,
  golden rice

3
Case Study

• Case Study
• Why Kraft?
• Largest food company in the United States
• Second Largest in the World
• Products found in 99 of U.S.s households

4
Case Study

• Kraft Foods Inc. (which includes both Kraft Foods
  North America and Kraft Foods International)
• Sells products under 61 brands in more than 140
  countries.
• In 2001, Kraft sold a staggering 33,875,000,000
  worth of food worldwide.
• 10 Reasons

5
Case Study (continued)

• Products include
• Taco Bell taco shells, Boca Burgers, Lunchables,
  Post cereals and Stovetop Stuffing
• All of which had or still have unlabeled,
  untested genetically modified ingredients.
• Click here for a list of foods
• Americans have the right to know!
• Kraft justifies not labeling products stating
  they are only following FDA guidelines.

6
FDA Guidelines

• If a bioengineered food is significantly
  different from its traditional counterpart such
  that the common or usual name no longer
  adequately describes the new food, the name must
  be changed to describe the difference.
• If an issue exists for the food or a constituent
  of the food regarding how the food is used or
  consequences of its use, a statement must be made
  on the label to describe the issue.
• If a bioengineered food has a significantly
  different nutritional property, its label must
  reflect the difference.
• If a new food includes an allergen that consumers
  would not expect to be present based on the name
  of the food, the presence of that allergen must
  be disclosed on the label.

7
Case Study (continued)

• Krafty
• Kraft has taken away the rights of the people by
  hiding what their products consist of, mainly the
  GMO.
• This is not only unethical, it is dangerous.

8
Professional Issues

• hurts 3rd world economies largely agricultural
• Agricultural jobs have dropped significantly (3
  in the U.S.)
• more jobs for geneticists

9
Legal Issues

• Potential law suits against companies if negative
  effects occurred from GMF
• No significant amount of regulation

10
Ethical Issues

• Utilitarian for the well being of the
  community, the US should have a higher yield in
  crops thus lowering prices in food and making
  them more accessible to people. Foods are more
  resistant to negative effects. Quality?
• Rights/fairness/virtue it is the right of the
  consumer to know whether or not food is
  genetically modified or organic. Consumer has
  the right to feel safe about eating the food
  without having to worry about negative effects/

11
Ethical Issues (continued)

• Common good GMF can contain medicines and
  treatments that can cure diseases (rice,
  potatoes, tomatoes, cereal, and ice cream)
• Kant individuals have the right to life, and GMF
  can provide food to those in need.

12
Stakeholders

• Companies
• People eating the food
• Farmers
• Geneticists
• Plants/animals being modified
• Other organisms in the environment

13
Possible Actions

• Stop GMF production altogether
• Strict regulations through FDA or similar org.
• Few major regulations, but not many
• Free enterprise with regard to GMF

14
Consequences

• If GMF is stopped, it will put major companies
  out of business. But there will be no health
  risks from GMF. Malnutrition will continue in
  large scale
• If there are strict regulations place on GMF,
  less research would take place and costs would be
  higher for companies because they would have to
  do more testing to ensure that the GMF meets
  regulations. Slower advancement in GMF. It will
  ensure safety for consumer and quality of food.

15
Consequences (continued)

• Fewer regulations will allow more and quicker
  research on GMF and reduce costs to companies
  involved. Potential lack of quality and safety
  of GMF for consumers.
• Free enterprise with regards to GMF would mean
  that more people would be fed, prices would be
  lower and new set of health problems may arise
  because there are no restrictions.

16
Common Good

• For common good, having GMF will benefit society.
  Strict regulations will ensure that individual
  rights are respected.
• GMF will feed more people, save more lives
• Provide jobs for geneticists and researchers
• Can make for a healthier diet which in turn
  prolongs life

17
Individual Rights/Fairness

• The best option to respect the rights of the
  people is to have regulations on GMF.
• This option would also be fair for companies
  because they are still allowed to produce GMF,
  but under regulations

18
Final Decision

• GMF should be allowed under strict guidelines
• World hunger is an important issue and GMF can
  help the cause
• Under strict regulations, GMF can be safe