1. Genetically Engineered Foods: Overview
What is genetic engineering (GE) and how does it differ from traditional breeding?
How predominant are GE crops & foods?
How does the govt. regulate these crops & foods?
FDA, USDA & EPA
Video: Harvest of Fear
GMO (genetically modified organism) synonymous with GE (genetically engineered)
Discussion questions
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2. Traditional Breeding vs Genetic Engineering
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3. Genetic Engineering
A technique in which genes can be moved between different life forms.
Genetically Engineered (GE) Food:
Gene is taken from one organism (virus, bacteria, animal) and transferred to a plant or animal (that we eat).
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4. How Common are GE Foods?
1996, FDA approved genetically engineered crops mixed with non-genetically engineered crops. They became a part of our food supply (soda, cereal, chips, mayo, etc)
At least 70% of processed foods contain GE ingredients.
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5. Most Common GE Foods: Corn, Soy, Canola
Soy, corn and canola have a herbicide tolerant (HT) gene in seed so field can be sprayed with herbicide (Round-Up) and not kill the crop.
Monsanto“Round-Up Ready” seeds
Corn has a gene from Bt bacteria incorporated into corn to make the plant resistant to caterpillars.
Bt is a natural bacteria in the soil that is a poison for moth and butterfly larva (caterpillars).
Science & Hunger

6. Newest GE Approved: Salmon
First GE animal in the food supply
Growth hormone from a Chinook salmon & gene from an ocean pout (eel like fish) keep the growth gene active all year.
Salmon grows twice as fast
Will be available stores in ~3 years.
Will not be labeled.

8. Government Regulators
Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
Monitors GE foods when they are sold as food
Makes decisions on food labeling
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):
Oversees GE crops when they are in the field
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Determines the environmental aspects of GE crops.
Interest is in the effects that the GE crop has on the environment. They monitor Bt corn.
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9. Substantial Equivalence
Indicates that two foods (example corn & Bt corn) have similar chemical profiles.
Substantial Equivalence is the reason the FDA does not label genetically engineered foods.
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10. To limit GE foods: Minimize processed foods Buy organic
Look for labels with“not genetically engineered”:
Products that contain soy, corn, canola oil.
Whole Foods Market is requiring all GE foods in store be labeled by 2018.
Buy food verified as “Non GMO Project Verified”: An independent, non-profit, voluntary certification
Choose Trader Joe’s brand products
Shop at farmer’s markets
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