List foods that you think are genetically modified. How can you tell if a food is genetically modified at the grocery store?

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND FOOD

What is “genetic modification” (GM)? Introduction of new traits to an organism by making changes directly to its genetic make-up (e.g. DNA) through intervention at a molecular level Can also delete or swap DNA sequences in organisms or introduce genetic material to silence genes Enables direct transfer of genes between organisms in different species or kingdoms that would not breed in nature and introduction of new sequences that do not even exist in nature

Goals of genetic modification 1. To increase the quantity and quality of food Ability to produce more food reduces cost to consumer Enviropig (digests more efficiently than conventional pigs) AquAdvantage salmon (reaches full size in half the normal time) Pest-resistant and disease-resistant crops Improved quality means less spoilage, lower costs to consumers and the ability to feed more people

2. To enhance the nutritional value of foods Developing ways to add nutrients (or increase their levels) in grains, fruits and vegetables Golden rice (

3. To prevent disease Scientists are investigating ways to attach disease fighters’ to foods we commonly eat, called edible vaccines – i.e. developing goats’ milk that carries a vaccine against malaria The hope is that these will replace vaccine injections

4. To benefit developing countries A way for developing countries to have more control over their food supplies, through seeds that can grow and thrive in adverse conditions, and be resistant to pests and disease This increased productivity will help feed more people (some feel biotechnology is the answer to world hunger)

Genetically modified crops

Types of GM crops Herbicide tolerant (Ht) crops are engineered to survive applications of particular herbicides Insect-resistant crops are engineered with a gene from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is toxic to some insects These crops then synthesize Bt endotoxin in their cells, making their entire plant toxic to some insects

Insect and herbicide resistance account for almost 100% of the traits that are GM in crops Virus resistance and drought tolerance account for less than 1% of global GM crop hectares

Biotechnology industry is currently researching other traits including: Higher yields Tolerance to environmental conditions Higher nutritional content

Genetically modified crops in Canada Approx 95% of Canada’s canola is GM Used in cooking oil and processed foods Over 80% of grain corn grown in Canada is GM Used in cooking oil, cornstarch, corn syrup and animal feed

At least 60% of soybeans in Canada are GM Processed into animal feed and vegetable oil Food-grade soybean processed into tofu and soy milk Also used to make soaps, cosmetics Almost 100% of all white sugar beets grown in Canada are Monsanto’s GM herbicide-tolerant sugar beets Processed into sugar (including icing sugar and liquid sugar) Beet pulp is used for livestock feed

How is sugar made from beets?

GM Crops in Canada

What GM crops and foods are not for sale in Canada? Bovine growth hormone (rBGH) a GM drug designed to make dairy cows produce more milk Health Canada rejected rBGH in 1999 based on animal health concerns Approved for sale in US and rBGH-influenced goods can be imported Tomatoes Four different varieties have been approved, just not for sale yet One company used fish gene (flounder) to try to increase resistance to frost but stopped after showing little promise Wheat No GM wheat ever grown or eaten anywhere in world

Reporting and labelling in Canada The government of Canada regulates biotechnology through Health Canada, Environment Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Evaluate products derived from biotechnology to ensure it carries no health or safety concerns

Government does not track and report details on where all GM crops are in fields or on the market Labelling rules in Canada: require mandatory labelling if there is a health or safety concern (i.e., from allergens or a significant nutrient or compositional change) ensure labelling is understandable, truthful and not misleading permit voluntary positive labelling on the condition that the claim is not misleading or deceptive and the claim itself is factual permit voluntary negative labelling on the condition that the claim is not misleading or deceptive and the claim itself is factual

The safety assessment of genetically modified foods (novel foods) includes: Molecular biological data describing the genetic change Nutritional information about the novel food compared to a non-modified food of the same type Potential for production of new toxins in the food Potential for causing allergic reactions Potential for any unintended or secondary effects Major constituents, such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and minor constituents, such as minerals and vitamins Microbiological and chemical safety of the food

Controversies surrounding GM foods

Safety Potential human health impact: allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects Potential environmental impact: unintended transfer of genes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity

Ethics Violation of natural organisms’ intrinsic values Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species Objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa Stress for animals

References Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. (2015). Where in the world are our GM crop and foods? : The reality of GM foods in the ground and on our plates. GMO Inquiry Retrieved from: world-gm-crops-foods.pdf world-gm-crops-foods.pdf