Genetic modification By: Ji Eun Kim Cecilie Eide Ola Skoczek Simon Hagenmaier Dorottya Papi Renaat Myny Sam Chiers Melodie Haelters

Index 1. Definition 2. History 3. Advantages and disadvantages 4. Examples ( golden rice, sweet corn and long- lasting tomatoes) 5. European regulations about labelling 6. Concerns Environmental / Health 7. Ethical problems

1.Definition What? The manipulation of a living organism’s genetic How? By eliminating, modifying or adding copies of specific genes often from other organisms through modern molecular biology techniques. Other names: Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Genetic engineering Gene splicing

2. History 1953: Structure of DNA deduced (Watson, Crick, Wilkins, Franklin). 1968: DNA code deciphered 1973: First recombinant DNA 1990: First genitically modified food (tomato).

1994:The first GM food was launched on the American market, it were tomatoes. Two years later also GB launched the tomatoes into their market. 2002:60 million acres of GM food were cultivated 2003: 70 million acres were cultivated 2005: 90 million acres were cultivated Conclusion

3.Advantages and disadvantages of GM food   Desired characteristics of food are achieved and in a shorter time.   Improves nutritional value   Many people rely on GM food for medicines   Gene technology is the best solution to the problem of world hunger A. Advantages

B. Disadvantages   Unacceptable to some groups to copy genes.   Interfiere in food chain   Genetically engineered animals may suffer more health problems   Allergic reactions

4. Examples of the potential benefits and risks of GM   Golden rice   Sweet corn   Long lasting tomatoes

Golden rice Golden rice Advantage: It contains Vitamin-A, so children in developing countries won’t become blind Disadvantage: Poor countries become depentent on rich countries which have the technics for engineering

Sweet corn Sweet corn Advantages: - -No longer use of insecticides - -The farmer don’t need to deal with toxic Disadvantages: - -Insects can become resistant to the poison - -Endangered butterflies are in bigger threat

Long- lasting tomatoes Long- lasting tomatoes Advantages: - GM tomatoes can remain fresh longer - GM tomatoes can tolerate a lengthier transport time Disadvantage: - -Tomatoes are resistant to antibiotics

5. European regulations about labelling Eu law :labelling if the product has more than 0.9 percent of GM DNA in the product. Such as: GMO- soja an GMO- sweet are labelled as GMO products. Other derivatives don’t have to be mentioned on these product’s label. (For example sugar, …) But most producers don’t label their products because they don’t want to lose their consumers or the label they put on the product is very small. (see these pictures)

6. Concerns A. Environmental B. Health o Effect of herbicide tolerant and insect resistant GM crops o the growth of GM crops o “Genetic Pollution” o weakened immune system o Hidden Allergens o Increased antibiotic resistance

7. Ethical Problems Christians GMunacceptable intervention A. The first one is ethic itself B. The second one is the question if it will feed the world Manipulated food = bigger, better and more crops This could be a solution for the famine in the poor countries. But…