3. • It involves the introduction of foreign
DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of
interest. The introduction of new DNA does not
require the use of classical genetic methods,
however traditional breeding methods are typically
used for the propagation of recombinant organisms.
4. Process
• First, the gen to be inserted into the genetically
modified organism must be chosen and isolated.
Presently, most genes transferred into plants
provide protection against insects or tolerance to
herbicides.
5. Facts and figures
Every year, an organisation
funded by the genetic
engineering industry called the
International Service
for the Acquisition of Agri-
biotech Applications
(ISAAA) publishes new figures
and highlights the
increase in the acreage of land
planted with
genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) across the
World.
6. These are the facts that the ISAAA does not put in
its press release:
• 92.5% of arable land around the world is GMO
free;
• Only four countries grow almost 90% of the total
GM crops;
• 176 out of the 192 countries grow no GMOs at
all;
• In over 10 years on the market, only four GM
crops are grown in significant quantity – soya,
maize, cotton and oil-seed rape (canola). These
four crops represent 99% of GMOs sold;
• Virtually 100% of world acreage planted with
commercial GM crops have one or both of just
two traits: herbicide-tolerance and insect resistance.
7.
8. GM countries
• Four countries represent 99% of
total GM surface in 2001:
United States (68%), Argentina
(22%), Canada (6%) and China
(3%). It is estimated that 70% of
products on U.S. grocery
shelves include GM products. In
particular, Bt corn is widely
grown, as are soybeans
genetically designed to tolerate
Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
9. Genetical damage to pregnant women
• When it comes to food, many people believe
that the more natural, the better — perhaps
especially where their baby is concerned.
Because genetic combinations occur in the
genetic engineering lab that aren't possible in
nature, critics are concerned that playing with
our food technologically may have far-
reaching impacts on human health and the
environment.
10.
11. Top Ten Genetically Engineered Food
Crops
1. Corn: Our number-one agricultural commodity.
2. Soy: The number-two U.S. agricultural commodity.
3. Potato: Currently, the only GE potato is a Burbank Russet
variety, marketed under the name New Leaf.
4. Tomato: The first GE tomato, the Flavor Savor, was
introduced commercially in 1994, but flopped because it
proved tasteless.
5. Canola: Of the 15 million acres of canola grown in the U.S.
and Canada annually, 35% is GE, mostly for herbicide-
resistance.
12. 6. Cottonseed Oil: In 2000, 61% of the 15.5 million acres of
cotton grown in the U.S. was genetically engineered.
7. Papaya: More than one third of Hawaiian papayas have been
genetically engineered to withstand the papaya ringspot virus.
8. Radicchio: Currently one variety of radicchio, called Seed Link,
has been genetically engineered to be resistant to
the herbicide glufosinate.
9. Squash: Several varieties of summer squash have been
genetically engineered to resist mosaic viruses.
10. Salmon: A company called Aqua Bounty has engineered a
salmon with genes from two different fish species so that it
grows much more quickly than non-GE salmon.
