GMO Speaker Training Webinar With Jeffrey Smith 4 parts, 2 hours each June 14, NOW Skipping June 21 st ! June 28 Skipping July 5 th July 12 July 19 8 pm EST (Please have pen and paper available)

Welcome to the GMO Speaker Training Webinar Goals: To speak confidently, accurately, and with compelling facts about the risks of genetically modified foods, particularly in the area of human health, using short, medium and long formats, and to inspire the audience to take effective action.

Participants will also Learn about tools and tips to publicize your lectures Learn to build a local Non-GMO Action Group Be invited to join and support a national movement

National structure Local groups, with a variety of targets National Working Groups, focused on single targets –Healthcare practitioners, patient advocacy and support groups, parents, schools, campuses, youth, health-conscious consumers and natural products industry, media and messaging, chefs and food service, green groups, spiritual and religious

Volunteer Opportunities Speaker –Local and Traveling –General and specialized audiences Volunteer advocate –Local or National Working Groups –Member or Leader Team IRT volunteer –Staff or Project basis

Questions?

Workshop concept A fully scripted PowerPoint is available to you online (3 versions) You don’t “require” anything else The workshop will provide; –Depth –Confidence –Practice –additional information –strategies, and –Q & A.

General Points for Speakers Homework and practice is recommended –Find practice buddies This is not a certification. You will not be authorized to speak on behalf of the Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) IRT provides a support community and referrals

4 Topics Session 1: Components of a presentation; how to structure a brief talk: Undermining the credibility of GMO proponents; Session 2: Health risks of GMOs Session 3: Large scope of problem; action steps Session 4: How to facilitate an “activist circle” and mobilize your audience

Lesson 1: Components of a GMO talk Identifying the key components –Why they’re important –What other information can be used How to give a short (2-3 minute presentation)

Exercise Write down the main points you believe are important in a short 2 minute talk on GMOs. (Just short notes) 90 seconds If you are with someone else, you can instead each give a 45 second presentation on GMOs

Minimalist Presentation 1.FDA scientists warned that GMOs might create allergies, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems. But the person in charge of policy at the FDA, Monsanto’s former attorney and later their VP, ignored the scientists and allowed GMOs onto the market without a single required safety study.

Minimalist Presentation 2. Now years later, the FDA scientists have been vindicated. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine says that animal studies show that GM food is linked to infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, organ damage, and gastrointestinal problems. They urge all doctors to prescribe non- GMO diets to everyone.

Minimalist Presentation 3. GMOs are genetically modified organisms, where genes are taken from one species, like bacteria or viruses, and forced into the DNA of other species, like soybeans and corn plants. Irrespective of what particular gene you insert, the very process of creating a GMO results in massive collateral damage in the plant, which can increase toxins, allergens, carcinogens, and anti-nutrients.

Minimalist Presentation 4.Option to insert more health material, e.g. Furthermore, the only human feeding study shows that GM genes can remain inside us, in our intestinal bacteria and continue to function, long after we stop eating GMOs.

Minimalist Presentation 5.There are very few safety studies, mostly funded by the biotech companies and widely criticized as rigged to avoid finding problems. When independent studies do discover problems with GMOs, the scientists are typically silenced, threatened, and fired, and no follow-up studies are done. Thus, we don’t have enough data to say that a particular disease is caused by a particular GM food. But many experts believe that they GM foods are a significant contributor to many of the serious health problems that have been on the rise since GMOs were introduced in 1996.

Minimalist Presentation 6. Somehow, animals are clued into the problems. Eyewitness reports from around the world show that when given a choice, many species of livestock and wild animals avoid GMOs. For us humans, we need help. Go to to learn how to avoid the 8 GMO food crops and their derivatives.

Minimalist Presentation 7.Since GMOs offer no consumer benefit, if even a small percentage of shoppers avoid GMO brands, we can create a tipping point of consumer rejection, to force them out of the market. This happened very quickly in Europe, and we believe it is going to happen soon here too. In fact, there is a campaign to achieve this in the near future. 8.Go to to find out more.

Analyzing and Refining the Presentation 1.What is your overall reaction to the presentation? 2.What points were important to you? 3.Convincing? Not convincing? Problematic? 4.What questions did it raise? 5.Are there any main points that are missing? Check your own lists.

5 main components 1.Undermine the credibility of those who promote GMOs 2.Describe the risks (health risks) 3.Cite third party support 4.Convey the large scope of the problem 5.Call to action

Undermine the credibility of those who promote GMOs Creates receptivity and handles the objection: “But if it’s so bad, why…” Tip: Try to bring out health risks with each example, so it does double duty Examples of undermining credibility: 1.FDA corrupted Show quotes from FDA 2.Independent scientists are thwarted/attacked Refer to first chapter of Seeds of Deception for Arpad Pusztai story Refer to Urban Garden magazine, November 2009: Carasco, Pusztai, Ermakova, Traavik, Seralini 3.Industry research is rigged 1.rbGH 2.Soil protein 3.Rigged control group 4.Ignoring gender differences 5.Short term studies 6.Refer to Genetic Roulette part 3

Undermine the credibility of those who promote GMOs 1.FDA scientists warned that GMOs might create allergies, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems. But the person in charge of policy at the FDA, Monsanto’s former attorney and later their VP, ignored the scientists and allowed GMOs onto the market without a single required safety study.

Third party endorsements; The risks Gives us credibility, and the audience “permission” to reject GMOs –AAEM (Doctors prescribe non-GMO diets) Read their statement –Excellent quotes: Not a casual relationship –lists specific disorders –Read my write up of their position – /?objectID=2989http:// /?objectID=2989

Third party endorsements; The risks 2. Now years later, the concerned FDA scientists have been vindicated. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine says that animal studies show that GM food is linked to infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, organ damage, and gastrointestinal problems. They urge all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets to everyone.

Health Risks (Process itself) –Process is unsafe, causing massive unpredictable side effects This answers the question about golden rice, etc. It also answers questions about GM oils, and other products without DNA or proteins –E.g. The endocrine disruptor changed in GM corn is expected to remain in corn syrup (see pg 37 Genetic Roulette) Use Stomach Lining slide from Pusztai’s potato study (see PPT slides)

Health Risks, continued (adding “definition” and “process itelf”) 3. GMOs are genetically modified organisms, where genes are taken from one species, like bacteria or viruses, and forced into the DNA of other species, like soybeans and corn plants. Irrespective of what particular gene you insert, the very process of creating a GMO results in massive collateral damage in the plant, which can increase toxins, allergens, carcinogens, and anti-nutrients.

Health Risks continued 4.Option to insert more health material, e.g. Furthermore, the only human feeding study shows that GM genes can remain inside us, in our intestinal bacteria and continue to function, long after we stop eating GMOs.

Large scope of problem Creates sense of urgency and leads to commitments for action 1.Statistics on rising health issues in the US, e.g. multiple chronic illness, food allergy, autism, diabetes 2.Industry plans to replace all food 3.Self-propagating pollution is irreversible

Undermining Credibility; Large scope 5.The very few safety studies are mostly funded by the biotech companies themselves and widely criticized as rigged to avoid finding problems. When independent studies do discover problems with GMOs, the scientists are typically silenced, threatened, and fired, and no follow-up studies are done. Thus, we don’t have enough data to say that a particular disease is caused by a particular GM food. But many experts believe that they GM foods are a significant contributor to many of the serious health problems that have been on the rise since GMOs were introduced in 1996.

Third party endorsements –Animals avoidance is VERY compelling Cows, pigs, geese, squirrels, elk, deer, raccoons, mice, rats, chickens, buffalo, dogs, and chickens Reference Seeds of Deception or page in Genetic Roulette

Action (avoid) –Avoid See iPhone App, ShopNoGMO Pocket Guide Downloadable pages 4 tips –Non-GMO Project verified New standard New criteria for Guide (enrolled products only)

Third party endorsements; Action (avoid) 6. Somehow, animals are clued into the problems. Eyewitness reports from around the world show that when given a choice, many species of livestock and wild animals avoid GMOs. For us humans, we need help. Go to to learn how to avoid the 8 GMO food crops and their derivatives.

Action (vision and activism) –Tipping point rbGH & Europe are examples –How to help IRT site –learn more –tell parents, show videos –pass on CDs, podcasts – and FaceBook network –Other healthcare practitioners –religious organizations –Natural food store –Etc.

Action (vision and activism) 7.Since GMOs offer no consumer benefit, if even a small percentage of shoppers avoid GMO brands, we can create a tipping point of consumer rejection to force them out of the market. This happened very quickly in Europe, and we believe it is going to happen soon here too. In fact, there is a campaign to achieve this in the near future. 8.Go to to find out more.

Exercise Draw something that incorporates the main points of a talk on GMOs. 90 seconds Picture, diagram, cartoon, mind map, whatever.

5 main components 1.Undermine the credibility of those who promote GMOs 2.Describe the risks (health risks) 3.Cite third party support 4.Convey the large scope of the problem 5.Call to action

Starting the Presentation Connect immediately Joke Show of hands Praise someone in the room Envision a warm, appreciative audience

Style points Model optimism No need to emphasize negative emotions. The facts are potent enough. Can be humorous in the face of gloomy details

Notes are found on PPT You can use “Notes Page” under View Or click and drag the bottom of the slide up to reveal the notes Presenter View Allows you to view the notes on your computer while showing the slideshow version to the audience Enable under SLIDE SHOW tab, under SET UP SLIDE SHOW

The Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods

US GM crops Soy 93% Corn 86% Cotton 93% Canola 85% (Canada)

Minor Food Crops Hawaiian papaya virus resistantZucchini crookneck squash virus resistant Sugar Beet

How do we avoid GMOs?  Buy organic  Buy products that are labeled non-GMO  Buy products listed on a Non-GMO Shopping Guide Non-GMO Shopping Guide  Avoid at-risk ingredients NonGMO ShoppingGuide. www. NonGMO ShoppingGuide.com for shopping guides and tips See

1-100, How vigilant were you to avoid GM food when eating out? 1-100, How vigilant were you this week to avoid bringing GM food home? Rate yourself

1-100, How active you have been in educating people on this issue? Rate yourself

cells nucleus chromosome DNA gene T A AA C C C G GG T TT A Basepairs: A-T & C-G (nucleotides)

1. Isolate a gene with a desired trait* desired trait* 2. Change the gene so it will work in plants* work in plants* 3. Prepare plant cells or tissue 4. Transform plant cells using a gene gun or bacteria infection method* or bacteria infection method* 5. Re-grow cells to plants via tissue culture (cloning)* How does Genetic Engineering work? * Steps that contain scientific uncertainties and risk potential

Gene construct Promoter: on switch Gene sequence Stop signal e.g. Bt toxin gene from soil bacterium often CaMV (virus) e.g. from pea

Identify cells with incorporated genes Only transformed cells survive Test for markers Add antibiotic

Grow transformed GM cells via cloning (tissue culture)

Antibiotic Resistant Genes “IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD TO INTRODUCE A GENE THAT CODES FOR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE INTO THE NORMAL FLORA OF THE GENERAL POPULATION.” Director, Division of Anti-infective Drug Products

FDA Quotes and Michael Taylor Expose the lack of credibility of GMO proponents

Allergens Toxins New diseases Nutritional problems Agency scientists warned of:

GM plants could “contain unexpected high concentrations of plant toxicants.” GM plants could “contain unexpected high concentrations of plant toxicants.” “The possibility of unexpected, accidental changes in genetically engineered plants justifies a limited traditional toxicological study.” “The possibility of unexpected, accidental changes in genetically engineered plants justifies a limited traditional toxicological study.” FDA Toxicology Group FDA Toxicology Group

1. “Increased levels of known naturally occurring toxins”, 2. “Appearance of new, not previously identified” toxins, 3. Increased tendency to gather “toxic substances from the environment” such as “pesticides or heavy metals”, and 4. “Undesirable alterations in the levels of nutrients.” They recommended testing every GM food “before it enters the marketplace.” Division of Food Chemistry and Technology

“Residues of plant constituents or toxicants in meat and milk products may pose human food safety concerns.” Gerald Guest, Director, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

FDA declares GMOs no different “ The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.” Food and Drug Administration “Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992

Secret FDA documents confirmed that the facts contradicted the statement

What was said within FDA “The processes of genetic engineering and traditional breeding are different, and according to the technical experts in the agency, they lead to different risks.” Linda Kahl, FDA compliance officer Linda Kahl, FDA compliance officer

By “trying to force an ultimate conclusion that there is no difference between foods modified by genetic engineering and foods modified by traditional breeding practices,” the agency was “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.” Linda Kahl, FDA compliance officer

“Animal feeds derived from genetically modified plants present unique animal and food safety concerns.” “I would urge you to eliminate statements that suggest that the lack of information can be used as evidence for no regulatory concern.” Gerald Guest, Director, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

“There is a profound difference between the types of unexpected effects from traditional breeding and genetic engineering,” “There is no certainty that [breeders] will be able to pick up effects that might not be obvious.” “There is no certainty that [breeders] will be able to pick up effects that might not be obvious.” “This is the industry’s pet idea, namely that there are no unintended effects that will raise the FDA’s level of concern. But time and time again, there is no data to back up their contention.” FDA microbiologist Louis Pribyl

“What has happened to the scientific elements of this document? Without a sound scientific base to rest on, this becomes a broad, general, ‘What do I have to do to avoid trouble’-type document.... It will look like and probably be just a political document.... It reads very pro-industry, especially in the area of unintended effects.” FDA microbiologist Louis Pribyl

Michael Taylor In charge of FDA policy Former Monsanto attorney Later Monsanto vice president Now US Food Safety Czar Who overruled the scientists?

‘Based on the safety and nutritional assessment you have conducted, it is our understanding that Monsanto has concluded that corn products derived from this new variety are not materially different in composition, safety, and other relevant parameters from corn currently on the market, and that the genetically modified corn does not raise issues that would require premarket review or approval by FDA.... as you are aware, it is Monsanto’s responsibility to ensure that foods marketed by the firm are safe...’” FDA Letter to Monsanto, 1996

For a Short Presentation: Three slides on FDA

FDA declares GMOs no different “ The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.” Food and Drug Administration “Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992

Allergens Toxins New diseases Nutritional problems In reality, agency scientists warned of:

Person in charge of FDA’s GMO policy ignored scientists’ warnings Michael Taylor Former Monsanto attorney Later Monsanto vice president Now back at FDA as US Food Safety Czar

Monsanto’s own former employees Kirk Azevedo Scientist relating rbGH story and rigged research story

Monsanto’s Past PCBs Fined $700 million Knew that residents were endangered Agent Orange DDT

Rigged Research rbGH Soil protein Journal of Nutrition case study

Stifled Scientists Ecologists can’t access seeds Turkish scientist transferred Carasco on birth defects G.E. Seralini Richard Burroughs

Health Risks Choices for presenting health dangers 1. Easy summary (AAEM) 2. 5 categories of what can go wrong (See my keynote presentations) 3. Focus on the two varieties: soy and Bt corn/cotton, plus the dangers of the process itself (see medium length PowerPoint on IRT site). 4. List problems by disease category (See health risk brochure). Allergies, toxins, antibiotic resistant diseases, reproductive disorders, digestive issues, nutritional problems.

Summary Health Effects Lab animals fed GM crops showed damaged organs, higher infant mortality, smaller babies, organ lesions, signs of toxicity, potentially precancerous cell growth, and sterility. Investigations link GM feed with livestock sickness and death. And thousands of farm workers that handle a specific variety of GM plant are reporting rashes, itching, and allergic reactions.

Softening words of Science No “proof” “Suggests,” “implies,” “indicates” Preliminary evidence Converging lines of evidence indicate Fed, not led

Legal ways to implicate Allegedly Seems to Appears to My opinion

Relative priority of evidence Not all the points are of equal import Bt is particularly strong Anecdotal evidence is important for the public, but not well received in certain scientific circles Increasing US disease rates don’t imply causality, so we need to demonstrate we know that. But it is important to raise the question.

First GM Crop FlavrSavr Tomato

Yuk! Rats refused to eat the tomato

Many animals avoided GM feed when given a choice

Mice avoided GM corn

After 28 days 7 of 20 rats developed stomach lesions7 of 20 rats developed stomach lesions Another 7 of 40 died within 2 weeksAnother 7 of 40 died within 2 weeks Industry study

Homework (Most Important) Give a 1-3 minute presentation to a practice buddy Have a person ask you the following questions How can it be so bad if the FDA has approved GMOs? I’m sure the companies do lots of studies. Are you saying that these corporations would allow dangerous foods onto the market? Watch and listen to PPT presentation

Homework Exercise Other homework assignments and resources are found at Sign up for Spilling the Beans Sign up for GMWatch,

Homework Exercise Sign up for Tipping Point Network

End of Part 1