1. GMO: friend or foe?

2. What are GMOs?

3. GMOs = Genetically Modified Organisms Broadly defined: any microbe, plant, or animal developed through breeding and selection Narrowly defined: organisms produced by gene transfer techniques insect-resistant crops cotton potato corn herbicide-resistant crops soybean corn canola (rapeseed) many others Current examples of GMO Crops GMO Crops on the Horizon Corn, soy, canola with improved nutritional qualities for animal feed Crops with specialty starches and oils for industrial processes Nutraceuticals “Golden Rice” Vaccines in plants Improved yields and stress tolerance

4. Genetically-Modified Foods Plants/animals/microbes whose DNA has been altered/modified through genetic engineering Plants/animals/microbes whose DNA has been altered/modified through genetic engineering Permentantly altering or creating new traits in the organism. Permentantly altering or creating new traits in the organism. In development since 1982 In development since 1982 First commercially available crops hit market in 1994 First commercially available crops hit market in 1994

8. http://www.pub.ac.za/resources/teach.html

9. Benefits of Genetic Engineering and Modifying 1. Higher yielding crops, more efficient use of land 2. Can save money and promote higher profits 3. Longer shelf life, less waste Example// Tomatoes from genetically Example// Tomatoes from genetically modified seeds stay fresh modified seeds stay fresh longer. longer. 4. Enhanced taste and quality 5. Reduced maturation time

10. Benefits of Genetic Engineering and Modifying 6. Increased and improved nutrients and stress tolerance - A single gene genetically engineered into cauliflower can increase - A single gene genetically engineered into cauliflower can increase production of beta-carotene 100 times. production of beta-carotene 100 times. - A gene can be implanted into a soybean upgrading the soy protein - A gene can be implanted into a soybean upgrading the soy protein to a quality equal to that of milk. to a quality equal to that of milk. - Corn can be modified to contain its two limiting amino acids, - Corn can be modified to contain its two limiting amino acids, lysine or tryptophan lysine or tryptophan 7. Improved resistance to disease or illness - Foods can be enhanced with phytochemicals that help maintain - Foods can be enhanced with phytochemicals that help maintain health and reduce the risks of chronic disease. health and reduce the risks of chronic disease. 8. Improved crop resistance to disease, pests, weeds and herbicides 9. New products and growing techniques - Individuals allergic to milk may be able to buy milk that has been - Individuals allergic to milk may be able to buy milk that has been treated with the lactase enzyme treated with the lactase enzyme - Creating decaffeinated coffee beans are in a process of research. - Creating decaffeinated coffee beans are in a process of research.

11. Genetically-Modified Foods GM Crops grown commercially by 8.5 million farmers on 250 million acres spread over 21 countries GM Crops grown commercially by 8.5 million farmers on 250 million acres spread over 21 countries Up from 4.3 million acres in 1996 Up from 4.3 million acres in 1996 Global acreage increased 20% in 2004, but new R and D slowing: Global acreage increased 20% in 2004, but new R and D slowing: ¾ of U.S. federal crop approvals between 1995 and 1999 ¾ of U.S. federal crop approvals between 1995 and 1999

12. Genetically-Modified Foods Top producers: United States (59%), Argentina (20%), Canada (6%), Brazil (6%), and China (5%) Top producers: United States (59%), Argentina (20%), Canada (6%), Brazil (6%), and China (5%) Europe – only small amounts in Spain Europe – only small amounts in Spain 60-70% of processed foods available in the U.S. today come from GM crops 60-70% of processed foods available in the U.S. today come from GM crops

13. Who Uses this technology

14. Genetically-Modified Foods Today 10 corporations control 49% of the world seed market Today 10 corporations control 49% of the world seed market mid-1970s: none of the 7,000 seed companies controlled over 0.5% of world seed market mid-1970s: none of the 7,000 seed companies controlled over 0.5% of world seed market

15. Genetically-Modified Foods Major agricultural biotech companies also pharmaceutical companies: Major agricultural biotech companies also pharmaceutical companies: Monsanto Monsanto $993 million profit on $8.5 billion revenues in 2007 – 4 th straight year of record- breaking profits $993 million profit on $8.5 billion revenues in 2007 – 4 th straight year of record- breaking profits 90% of GM seeds sold by Monsanto or by competitors that license Monsanto genes in their own seeds 90% of GM seeds sold by Monsanto or by competitors that license Monsanto genes in their own seeds

16. Genetically-Modified Foods Major agricultural biotech companies also pharmaceutical companies: Major agricultural biotech companies also pharmaceutical companies: Novartis Seeds Novartis Seeds Aventis CropScience Aventis CropScience Bayer CropScience Bayer CropScience Syngenta Syngenta Dow Dow Companies sponsor professorships, academic research institutes Companies sponsor professorships, academic research institutes

17. Genetically-Modified Foods Purposes: increase growth rate/enhance ripening, prevent spoilage, enhance nutritional quality, change appearance, provide resistance to herbicides and drought, alter freezing properties Purposes: increase growth rate/enhance ripening, prevent spoilage, enhance nutritional quality, change appearance, provide resistance to herbicides and drought, alter freezing properties Tobacco industry attempting to develop GE-tobacco to enhance nicotine delivery Tobacco industry attempting to develop GE-tobacco to enhance nicotine delivery

18. “Golden Rice”: The Poster Child of GE Purported to be the solution to the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries Purported to be the solution to the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries Developed in 1999 by Swiss and German scientists Developed in 1999 by Swiss and German scientists Produced by splicing two daffodil and one bacterial gene into japonica rice, a variety adapted for temperate climates Produced by splicing two daffodil and one bacterial gene into japonica rice, a variety adapted for temperate climates

19. Risks associated with Genetic Modification 1. Safety Potential human health implications. Potential human health implications. Potential environmental impact. Potential environmental impact. Out-crossing Out-crossing Inevitable out-crossing of transgenic plants with naturally occurring ones. Inevitable out-crossing of transgenic plants with naturally occurring ones. Creation of super-weeds Creation of super-weeds Creation of biological weapons. Creation of biological weapons. 2. Access and Intellectual Property Domination of world food production by a few companies and developing countries. Domination of world food production by a few companies and developing countries.

20. Risks associated with Genetic Modification – cont. 3. Ethics “Playing God” “Playing God” Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species. Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species. 4. Labeling Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., Canada and the United States). Not mandatory in some countries (e.g., Canada and the United States). Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts. Mixing GM crops with non-GM confounds labeling attempts. 5. Society New advances may be skewed to the interests of rich countries. New advances may be skewed to the interests of rich countries.

21. Risks with GM continued: Biodiversity Addition of Bt gene into plants including corn, potatoes and cotton to increase resistance to plants Addition of Bt gene into plants including corn, potatoes and cotton to increase resistance to plants Bt gene obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis Bt gene obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis Problem: plants producing Bt toxin are releasing toxin in pollen Problem: plants producing Bt toxin are releasing toxin in pollen Draper, D. (2002). Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective 2nd Ed. Scarborough: Thompson Canada Lmt.

22. Pollen from a Bt plant was dusted on to milkweed: Pollen from a Bt plant was dusted on to milkweed: - only 56% of young monarch butterfly larvae lived - only 56% of young monarch butterfly larvae lived - whereas pollen from organic plants dusted on the milkweed produced a survival rate of 100%. Approximately half of the monarch butterfly population live in the “corn belt” of the USA Approximately half of the monarch butterfly population live in the “corn belt” of the USA = this new gene could have serious repercussions for this organism

23. GMO Crops: Three Major Issues 1. Food safety and environmental impacts 2. Global trade 3. Increased corporate control of agriculture

24. Increased Corporate Control of Agriculture The Development of GM Crops is Expensive Intellectual property and patent protection Consolidation/vertical integration increases ability to capture profits Ag-biotech is a recent example of a century-old trend

25. Golden Rice Purported to be the solution to the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries Purported to be the solution to the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries Developed in 1999 by Swiss and German scientists Developed in 1999 by Swiss and German scientists Produced by splicing two daffodil and one bacterial gene into japonica rice, a variety adapted for temperate climates Produced by splicing two daffodil and one bacterial gene into japonica rice, a variety adapted for temperate climates

26. Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) VAD afflicts millions, esp. children and women VAD afflicts millions, esp. children and women Severe deficiency causes blindness (350,000 pre-school age children/year) Severe deficiency causes blindness (350,000 pre-school age children/year) Lesser deficiencies weaken the immune system, increasing risk of measles, malaria, other infectious diseases, and death (VAD implicated in over one million deaths per year) Lesser deficiencies weaken the immune system, increasing risk of measles, malaria, other infectious diseases, and death (VAD implicated in over one million deaths per year)

27. Golden Rice Produces β-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A (in the absence of other nutritional deficiencies - such as zinc, protein, and fats - and in individuals not suffering from diarrhea) Produces β-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A (in the absence of other nutritional deficiencies - such as zinc, protein, and fats - and in individuals not suffering from diarrhea)

28. “Not-So Golden” Rice Crop not yet adapted to local climates in developing countries Crop not yet adapted to local climates in developing countries Amounts produced minute: 3 servings of ½ cup/day provides 10% of Vitamin A requirement (6% for nursing mothers) Amounts produced minute: 3 servings of ½ cup/day provides 10% of Vitamin A requirement (6% for nursing mothers) Β-carotene is a pro-oxidant, which may be carcinogenic Β-carotene is a pro-oxidant, which may be carcinogenic Syngenta Golden Rice II (23 times more provitamin A) and GM potatoes recently developed Syngenta Golden Rice II (23 times more provitamin A) and GM potatoes recently developed

29. Curing Vitamin A Deficiency VAD can be cured: VAD can be cured: With small to moderate amounts of vegetables, whose cultivation has decreased in the face of monoculture and export crops With small to moderate amounts of vegetables, whose cultivation has decreased in the face of monoculture and export crops With inexpensive supplements With inexpensive supplements With political and social will and international cooperation With political and social will and international cooperation

30. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Allergies and toxicities from new proteins entering the food supply Allergies and toxicities from new proteins entering the food supply Bt corn increases sensitivity of mammals to other allergens Bt corn increases sensitivity of mammals to other allergens Bt corn toxic to caddisflies, a food resource for fish and amphibians Bt corn toxic to caddisflies, a food resource for fish and amphibians GM peas (with bean gene) cause lung inflammation in mice – trial stopped GM peas (with bean gene) cause lung inflammation in mice – trial stopped New, allergenic proteins in GE soy in South Korea New, allergenic proteins in GE soy in South Korea

31. Food Allergies 2% of adults, 5% of infants and young children in the U.S. (FDA) 2% of adults, 5% of infants and young children in the U.S. (FDA) 30,000 visits and 150 deaths/yr 30,000 visits and 150 deaths/yr 90% caused by ingredients containing protein derived from milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans (FDA requires food labeling for these ingredients) 90% caused by ingredients containing protein derived from milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans (FDA requires food labeling for these ingredients) Food allergies and anaphylaxis on the rise Food allergies and anaphylaxis on the rise Partly due to increased recognition and reporting Partly due to increased recognition and reporting ?Partly due to GMOs? ?Partly due to GMOs?

32. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Secret Monsanto report found that rats fed a diet rich in GM corn had smaller kidneys and unusually high white blood cell counts Secret Monsanto report found that rats fed a diet rich in GM corn had smaller kidneys and unusually high white blood cell counts Monsanto’s MON 863 YieldGard Rootworm (GM) Maize damages rats’ livers and kidneys Monsanto’s MON 863 YieldGard Rootworm (GM) Maize damages rats’ livers and kidneys

33. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Russian Academy of Sciences report found up to six-fold increase in death and severe underweight in infants of mothers fed GM soy Russian Academy of Sciences report found up to six-fold increase in death and severe underweight in infants of mothers fed GM soy Bt cotton reported to cause skin and respiratory illnesses/allergies in workers in Philippines Bt cotton reported to cause skin and respiratory illnesses/allergies in workers in Philippines

34. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Altered nutritional value of foodstuffs Altered nutritional value of foodstuffs Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes into intestinal bacteria or other organisms, contributing to antibiotic resistance in human pathogens Transfer of antibiotic resistance genes into intestinal bacteria or other organisms, contributing to antibiotic resistance in human pathogens Horizontal gene transfer of gene inserted into GM soy to DNA of human gut bacteria Horizontal gene transfer of gene inserted into GM soy to DNA of human gut bacteria

35. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Animal data suggest DNA can be taken up intact by lymphocytes through Peyer’s patches of small intestine Animal data suggest DNA can be taken up intact by lymphocytes through Peyer’s patches of small intestine Other animal studies show adverse effects on multiple organs Other animal studies show adverse effects on multiple organs Monsanto conducted feeding studies of GM potatoes (which had been declared unsafe in rats) on Russian prisoners in 1998 (kept secret until 2007) Monsanto conducted feeding studies of GM potatoes (which had been declared unsafe in rats) on Russian prisoners in 1998 (kept secret until 2007)

36. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Increased pesticide use when pests inevitably develop resistance to GE food toxins Increased pesticide use when pests inevitably develop resistance to GE food toxins Reproductive and neurotoxic effects Reproductive and neurotoxic effects Greater herbicide use – confirmed by multiple studies Greater herbicide use – confirmed by multiple studies Glyphosphate use increased 15-fold from 1994-2005 Glyphosphate use increased 15-fold from 1994-2005 Glyphosphate (Roundup) toxic to placenta Glyphosphate (Roundup) toxic to placenta

37. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Genes, initially designed to protect crops from herbicides, being transferred to native weeds Genes, initially designed to protect crops from herbicides, being transferred to native weeds Create herbicide-resistant “superweeds” (8 species identified by 2005, 5 in the U.S.) Create herbicide-resistant “superweeds” (8 species identified by 2005, 5 in the U.S.) Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape has transferred gene to charlock weeks in U.K. Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape has transferred gene to charlock weeks in U.K. Glyphosate (Roundup)-resistant pigweed in MO and GA, ryegrass in CA, Johnsongrass and maretail in multiple states Glyphosate (Roundup)-resistant pigweed in MO and GA, ryegrass in CA, Johnsongrass and maretail in multiple states

38. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods GE plants and animals interbreeding with wild relatives GE plants and animals interbreeding with wild relatives Spread novel genes into wild populations Spread novel genes into wild populations Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape genes found in turnips Herbicide-resistant oilseed rape genes found in turnips 21% of U.S. farmers in violation of EPA rule requiring GE fields to contain at least 20% non-GE crop 21% of U.S. farmers in violation of EPA rule requiring GE fields to contain at least 20% non-GE crop ¼ to 1/3 of Mexican corn samples contaminated; Columbian coca plants ¼ to 1/3 of Mexican corn samples contaminated; Columbian coca plants

39. GE Crop Incidents Over 200 contamination incidents involving 57 countries from 1996-2007 Over 200 contamination incidents involving 57 countries from 1996-2007 50% of cases involve GE crops originating in US 50% of cases involve GE crops originating in US Affected countries more than double the number of countries where GM crops are grown Affected countries more than double the number of countries where GM crops are grown 17 illegal releases 17 illegal releases 8 reports of negative agricultural side effects 8 reports of negative agricultural side effects

40. GE Crop Contamination Syngenta accidentally released hundreds of tons of GM corn, tagged with antibiotic resistance genes, to farmers between 2001 and 2004 Syngenta accidentally released hundreds of tons of GM corn, tagged with antibiotic resistance genes, to farmers between 2001 and 2004 Native Mexican corn varieties contaminated by GE corn Native Mexican corn varieties contaminated by GE corn Dow AgroScience GM corn contaminates 53,000 acres in US in 2007 Dow AgroScience GM corn contaminates 53,000 acres in US in 2007 Corn contamination events have wiped out US corn exports Corn contamination events have wiped out US corn exports

41. Economic Risks of GE Crop Contamination Recent studies have cast doubt on the economic utility of GM crops for farmers in North America Recent studies have cast doubt on the economic utility of GM crops for farmers in North America Lower yields Lower yields Higher input costs Higher input costs Contamination could be devastating for local farmers Contamination could be devastating for local farmers

42. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods GE crops out-competing, or driving to extinction, wild varieties, or becoming bio- invaders in neighboring farms or other ecosystems GE crops out-competing, or driving to extinction, wild varieties, or becoming bio- invaders in neighboring farms or other ecosystems GE plants adversely altering soil bacteria and consequently soil quality GE plants adversely altering soil bacteria and consequently soil quality Possible contribution to decline in honeybee populations Possible contribution to decline in honeybee populations

43. Health and Environmental Risks of GE Foods Further decrease in agricultural biodiversity Further decrease in agricultural biodiversity UN FAO estimates 75% of the genetic diversity in agriculture present at beginning of 20 th Century lost UN FAO estimates 75% of the genetic diversity in agriculture present at beginning of 20 th Century lost Unknown effects on integrity of global food supply from large-scale genetic rearrangements Unknown effects on integrity of global food supply from large-scale genetic rearrangements

44. GE Foods and World Hunger For the first time in history, there are now an equal number of people – 1.1 billion – who get too much to eat as those who don’t have enough to eat For the first time in history, there are now an equal number of people – 1.1 billion – who get too much to eat as those who don’t have enough to eat Hunger and malnutrition kill almost 6 million children per year worldwide Hunger and malnutrition kill almost 6 million children per year worldwide

45. GE Foods and World Hunger World food prices rising dramatically World food prices rising dramatically US food bank demand up, supplies down US food bank demand up, supplies down Future wars Future wars World hunger will not be solved through large-scale molecular manipulation of food crops whose cultivation has been carefully perfected over 10,000 years World hunger will not be solved through large-scale molecular manipulation of food crops whose cultivation has been carefully perfected over 10,000 years

46. GE Foods and World Hunger There is already enough food to feed the planet There is already enough food to feed the planet UN FAO: Enough food to provide over 2700 calories/day to every person UN FAO: Enough food to provide over 2700 calories/day to every person Almost ½ of American food goes to waste Almost ½ of American food goes to waste Feeding everyone requires political and social will Feeding everyone requires political and social will

47. GE Food Labeling Worldwide European Union has required since 1998 European Union has required since 1998 Japan, China, Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, and many other countries also require labels Japan, China, Australia, Brazil, Malaysia, and many other countries also require labels

48. GE Food Labeling Worldwide Swiss banned GMO crops, 164 local governments in EU have banned or come out against GE crops Swiss banned GMO crops, 164 local governments in EU have banned or come out against GE crops European public strongly opposed to GMO foods European public strongly opposed to GMO foods But, since 1/05, at least 12 GM seeds approved for planting in various EU countries But, since 1/05, at least 12 GM seeds approved for planting in various EU countries

49. What should/could we do??