GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

1. GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS Cansu Kaya

3. With modern biological techniques, it is possible to artificially modify the DNA sequence of microorganisms. • By using these modified organisms, it is possible to produce food that are different from those that occur naturally.

4. Food produced from these organisms are collectively known as GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) FOOD

5. GM FoodsAre… • Foods that contain an added gene sequence • Foods that have a deleted gene sequence • Animal products from animals fed GM feed • Products produced by GM organisms • Some common GM foods: potatoes, vegetables, tomatoes, rice, cheese, meat.

6. WhyFoodsAreModified? • Genetic engineering offers a rapid and precise method of altering organisms as compared to traditional methods that are slow and inaccurate.

7. HowToMove DNA FromOneOrganismToAnother?

8. Find an organism with the desired trait. • Isolate the gene sequence that codes for the desired trait. • Insert the gene sequence into the genome of the plant cell. • Allow the genetically altered cell to grow into a plant. • Allow the plant to propagate.

9. PestandDiseaseResistance • The yields from many plants and animals are reduced by pests and diseases. • Genetic modification can increase their resistance to these, reducing the need to thread with herbicides, pesticides, vaccines etc, all of which add to production costs and may live potentially toxic residues in the food.

10. Examples: Potatoes that are resistant to fungal diseases and bananas that are resistant to attack by nematodes. Nematodes

11. Improved Quality and Range • Many crops are geographically limited because of the conditions for their growth. • Genetic modification can enable the production of varieties that can grow in wider range of climatic conditions as well as produce greater yields and mature in a shorter time. Ex: Higher yielding rice varieties and maize that can grow in areas of lower rainfall.

12. Production of Medicinal and Other Novel Products • Genetic modification can be used to enable plants and animals to produce products that they would not normally produce. • For example GM hens that lay eggs containing human interferon and cows that produce milk rich in nutritionally desirable omega-3 fatty acids.

14. Are GM Foods Safe? • GM foods have risks to trigger allergic reactions to GM varieties. • The composition of GM foods may be different from the equivalent natural foods and hence subtly alter the balance of our diet.

15. Will the Production of GM Foods Damage Natural Ecosystem? • Even though genetically modified plants are currently limited to certain farms, there is the risk that pollen from them will escape into the wild population with unforeseen consequences.

16. ToConclude… • Benefits • With crops, it can enhance the taste, flavour, texture and nutritional value and also increase the maturation time. • With animals, GM food can increase resistance to disease, increase productivity and feed efficiency to give higher yield of milk and eggs. • Anti-cancer substances and increased amount of vitamins could be incorporated and exposure to less healthy fats reduced. • Environmentally friendly bio-herbicides and bio-insecticides can be formed: GM foods can lead to soil, water and energy conservation and improve natural waste management. • Potential Concerns • The outcome of alterations is uncertain as not enough is known about how genes operate. • They may cause disease as antibiotic-resistant genes could be passed to harmful organisms. • Genetically engineered genes may escape to contaminate normal crops with unknown effects. • They may alter the balance of delicate ecosystems as food chains become damaged. • There are possible links to an increase in allergic reactions (particularly with those involved in the food processing).