Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms

1
Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms

• Anietie Essiet
• David Kallenborn
• Jorge Ponce

2
Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
on pesticides
3
Effects on pesticides

• Reduces farmers exposure to pesticides
• Requires less toxic insecticides such as Bt
  (Bacillus thuringiensis)
• Use of sanctuary fields prevents resistance to
  pesticides

4
Effects on pesticides

• Insects and weeds may become resistant to
  pesticides
• Greater amounts of RoundUp and Bt will be
  required
• Possibility of pesticide gene spreading into the
  wild

5
Effects of GMO crops on non-GMO crops
6
Effects on crops

• Ability to cross-pollinate
• Contamination of nearby farms
• No foolproof way to contain altered genes

7
Effects on crops

• More efficient
• Will gain a large share of marketplace
• Most interbreeding can be avoided by labeling

8
Effects of GMO crops on organic farming
9
Effects on organic farming

• Organic farmers also use Bt
• Legislation in the works in several countries
  would hold farmers who grow GMO crops responsible
  for genetic pollution.

10
Effects on organic farming

• USDA does not allow certified organic farmers to
  grow GMO crops
• 17 of surveyed organic farmers reported having
  to test crops for GMOs
• 11 of those who conducted testing found GMO
  crops in their farm

11
Effects of GMO crops on human health
12
Effects on human health

• Release of crops unapproved for human consumption
• Unapproved Starlink corn released in 2000 linked
  to allergies
• Unforeseeable genetic mutations occurring in the
  wild

13
Effects on human health

• Reactions can be avoided with research and tests
• Food can be altered to contain important vitamins
  and minerals
• Golden Rice contains beta carotene

14
Effects of GMO crops on the health of consumed
animals
15
Effects on health of livestock

• Minimal effects
• Current studies on short-term and long-term
  effects currently underway
• Results have been inconclusive so far

16
Effects on health of livestock

• What animals consume eventually makes its way to
  people
• GMOs approved for livestock are rarely approved
  for human consumption

17
Effects of GMO crops on job market
18
Effects on job market

• Creates more jobs by allowing genetically
  modified crops to grow on normally non-arable
  land
• Creates a large research market

19
Effects on job market

• Farmers face increasing pressure from biotech
  companies to grow GMOs
• Farmers must spend more money to prevent
  contamination of crops

20
Effects of GMO crops on weeds
21
Effects on weeds

• Weeds will most likely become resistant to
  herbicides
• More herbicide will have to be used to kill weeds
• Rampant growth of herbicide-resistant plants in
  the wild

22
Effects on weeds

• Growing of genetically modified crops in areas
  where crop does not grow naturally prevents
  rampant growth

23
Effects of GMO crops on beneficial insects
24
Effects on beneficial insects

• All insects, harmful or beneficial, are killed
  when they come in contact with insecticide-produci
  ng plants

25
Effects on beneficial insects

• While all insects are killed when they come in
  contact with insecticides, the amount of
  insecticide used can be reduced by having the
  crops produce their own pesticides

26
Will GMOs solve the problem of world hunger?
27
Can GMOs solve world hunger?

• Genetically modified organisms are part of the
  solution

28
Can GMOs solve world hunger?

• World hunger is not due to lack of food
• According to UN World Food Program, there is
  currently enough food to feed everyone a healthy
  diet
• World hunger is due to socioeconomic inequalities

29
Who benefits the most from genetically modified
organisms?
30
Who benefits the most?

• Everyone benefits from genetically modified
  organisms
• Makes inexpensive, nutritious food more available
• GMOs allow crops to grow in areas that were
  previously unable to support the crop

31
Who benefits the most?

• Manufacturers of GMOs benefit the most
• Seeds remain intellectual property of
  manufacturer
• Farmers must still pay for seeds