2. Outline
• Food safety
• Effect on natural ecosystems
• Gene flow into non-GE organisms
• Pros/Cons of GM food
3. Food Safety
• Testing by FDA, USDA, EPA
▫ Molecular testing
▫ Gene Transfer hazards
▫ Toxicology testing
• GE foods have been in US markets since ‘90s
• Almost all foods have been artificially altered
▫ 25% increase in production every 5 years
4. Effects on Ecosystems
• Farming GE pest resistant crops
▫ Reduction in 286,000 tons of pesticide in 2006
▫ 15% decrease of pesticide impact on environment
▫ Fewer weeds, weed seeds
Decrease in ecosystem biodiversity
• Farming Bt-Corn
▫ Detrimental to insect development
▫ Evolution of super-resistant insects
• Disruption of interspecific relationships
▫ Predator-prey relationships
▫ Mutualisms
5. Gene Flow into non-GE Organisms
• GE foods with bacterial resistance
▫ Increased bacterial defense for humans?
▫ Gene transfer to intestinal microorganisms
Evolution of super-resistant bacteria
• Farming Bt-Maize
▫ Crossbreeding with wild grasses
▫ Toxic to animals, ecosystem
6. Pros/Cons of GM Food
• Increased risk of genetically contaminating non-
GE organisms
▫ Unwanted gene flow, evolution of species
▫ Disruptions in interspecific relationships
• Increased productivity and efficiency of food
production
▫ Cost effectiveness
▫ End world hunger
7. Sources
• Ackerman, Jennifer. "Altered Food, GMOs, Genetically Modified Food - National Geographic."
Environment Facts, Environment Science, Global Warming, Natural
Disasters, Ecosystems, Green Living - National Geographic. National Geographic. Web. 28 Nov.
2011. <http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/food-how-
altered/>.
• "Genetically Modified Food Controversies." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 28 Nov.
2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food_controversies#Environmental_risks
_and_benefits>.
• Mellon, Margaret, and Jane Rissler. "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops --
Recent Experiences." Food and Agriculture. Union of Concerned Scientists, 12 June 2003. Web.
<http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_enginee
ring/environmental-effects-of.html>.
• PSRAST. "Genetically Engineered Food - Safety Problems." Environmental Hazards. Web.
<http://www.psrast.org/ctenvir.htm>.
