March Against Monsanto

Genes & DNA – life’s code

What is Genetic Engineering?

Biotechnology in the pastBiotechnology in the past –making bread and cheese, brewing beer –crossbreeding plants What Is Biotechnology? Harnessing the natural biological processes of living systems for the benefit of mankindHarnessing the natural biological processes of living systems for the benefit of mankind Modern biotechnologyModern biotechnology –genetic engineering

Genetic Engineering/ Modification Genetic engineering involves moving genes between species using technology, Not naturally possible, requires human intervention, Genetic Engineering (GE) = genetic modification (GM); different name, same thing – industry attempts to make it sound better!

What GM foods do we eat? Insecticide (insect killing) gene in crops to kill pests – maize, cotton. Gene to make crops resistant to agricultural chemicals, mainly herbicides/ weed-killer – soy, maize, etc Some crops have both genes, Other genes under investigation but not commercialised.

What is the problem? GM crops have not increased food supply, The most widely used GM crop, soy, has lower yield than conventional soy, Chemical use increasing, Weeds becoming resistant to chemicals – more toxic chemicals being used,