1. Click to watch video
GM Crops
Are Genetically Modified foods the
answer to world´s hunger?
Teacher Vieira, SEK-Atlántico www.sek.es
2. Why are GM crops spreading worldwide?
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/sec006group5/gm_food
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm
3.
( U.S. Dept. Agriculture 2001)
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/sec006group5/gm_food
4. What are the advantages of GM crops?
In groups of 3 or 4 come up with at least 4 advantages.
5. So… what is the ´catch´?
In groups of 3 or 4 agree on some disadvantages
6. Controversies
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm
Safety
Potential human health impact: allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance, unknown effects.
Potential environmental impact: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects
on other organisms (e.g., soil microbes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity
Access and Intellectual Property
Increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries
Domination of world food production by a few companies
Biopiracy-foreign exploitation of natural resources
Ethics
Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species
Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa
Violation of natural organisms' intrinsic values
Stress for animals
Labeling
Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., United States)
Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts
Society
New advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries
7. Benefits
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gmo.htm
Crops
Reduced maturation time
Increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance
Improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides
Enhanced taste and quality
New products and growing techniques
Animals
Improved animal health and diagnostic methods
Better yields of meat, eggs, and milk
Increased resistance, productivity, hardiness, and feed efficiency
Environment
Conservation of soil, water, and energy
Bioprocessing for forestry products
Better natural waste management
"Friendly" bioherbicides and bioinsecticides
More efficient processing
Society
Increased food security for growing populations