Definition “food plants that have been genetically altered by the addition of foreign genes to enhance a desired trait” The enhancement has traditionally been done with breeding. This can be very time consuming and is not always accurate. With Genetic Engineering, we can create plants with the desired traits quickly and accurately. They can insert traits from plants and animals to produce a product that can be resistant to disease, drought, temperature, etc.

A new desired trait can be achieved by breeding the crop with a plant possessing the desired characteristic. Farmers may introduce new traits to crops for better durability or productiveness The use of genetic engineering enables farmers to create a pear with the same coloration trait of an apple. This may be performed by the crossbreeding of the two crops.

The end result is a combination of pear and apple.

   Strengths/ Advantages   Resist (nature’s cruel weather).  Expedite the growing process.  Increase growing size.  Decrease cost of production.  Resistance to “roundup”.    Weaknesses/ Disadvantages   Disrupt the natural creation of life.  Mutation Possibilities.  Consumers refuse to purchase GM foods.  Disturb national creation process.

   Threats   Possible disease outbreak.  Unknown side effects for human consumption.  Lack of knowledge on GM food  Loss of sales in U.S.  Increase the use of pesticide herbicide and other hazardous chemical.    Opportunities   Prevent crop loss.  End world hunger.  Reduce the spread of commutable disease.  Possible improvements on biotechnology.

  Study put on by the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Small scale trials on GM Potatoes that are resistant to soft rot   Process Controlled environment with absolute separation between control and test   Benefits Reduce pollution via less need for pesticides

  Fewer loses to disease thus helping; farmers profits, potato processors, and consumers   Potential Risks New genes may have unforeseen effects Genes may transfer to other organisms Could become a “super pest”

Short term Stops famine and starvation especially in third world countries. Nearly 800 million people starving worldwide. Pictures are from:

Long term Proteins added in GM food could spark unknown reactions. In the long run GM food may diminish world’s food supply : cross breeding between plants may cause contamination...Which can also be a threat to wildlife… An Example is the monarch butterfly. Its larvae can die within days after feeding on the milkweed leaves dusted with GM pollen. Pictures are from:

GM Food could label their products before having them commercially marketed GM scientists could teach consumers about biochemistry and how modified food is produced Plant more organic products so the plants are not endangered Keep people up to date with research happening in labs around the world

A small-scale farmer in traditional dress protests against planting GM crops. (from , 20 September 2002) 26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG The enhancement has traditionally been done with breeding. This can be very time consuming and is not always accurate. With Genetic Engineering, we can create plants with the desired traits quickly and accurately. Expedite the growing process. End world hunger.

Disrupt the natural creation of life. Unknown side effects for human consumption GM scientists could teach consumers about biochemistry and how modified food is produced