GMO and its impact on our modern society By Jaeseung Shin, Jevon Suharnoko
What is GMO? Definition: ● Genetic Engineering ● Selective Breeding
Three aspects of GMOs Biological Economic Used in plants to boost yield, resistant Increase crop yield ● ● to pests or pesticides. Support developing countries like ● Plants are made to be more resilient Bangladesh ● Political Large biotech corporation’s monopoly ● over small local farmers. Lobbying ●
Myths and Misconceptions GMOs cause cancer, autism, allergies, gluten intolerance and other illnesses. ● National Academies of Science concludes no substantial evidence was found between conventional and GMO crops. GMO increase cost of food ● Purdue University concludes that It is more economical to use GMO crops GMOs have negative impacts on the environment ● Less maintenance and preserves the environment. ● Certain variants of crops can convert nitrogen in the atmosphere. This allows farmers to use less fertilizers.
PROS VERSUS CONS Pros: Cons: Feeds more people/Feeds the future Lower genetic diversity ● ● Preserves biodiversity/lowers Food allergies ● ● environmental impact Chances of long term effects ● Better nutrition in foods (i.e. vitamin Controlled by large corporations (in ● ● fortified bananas) the USA) Better economy ● Higher Yield ○ Lower maintenance cost (pest ○ control)
Questions
Exam questions 1. True or False: Eating GMO plants is no more risky than eating non-GMO equivalent 2. What are the possible application for the GMOs? a. Producing fruits with higher antioxidant levels. b. Plants that are resilient to climate changes c. Crops that draw nitrogen from the air to reduce the usage of fertilizers d. All of the above e. None of the above 3. Which of the following describes the similarity of GMO to selective breeding a. Increases genetic diversity b. Produces advantageous traits to survive in the environment c. Inherit genes from more than one parents of the same species d. A and B e. B and C
Answer key 1. TRUE 2. D 3. B
Reference Kurzgesagt, Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TmcXYp8xu4 GMO background https://gmoanswers.com/ask/impact-gmos-have-society https://gmoanswers.com/gmo-myths-vs-facts GMO in developing countries: https://www.devex.com/news/what-are-the-political-drivers-for-gmos-in-developin g-countries-92091 Drought resistant crops: https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2017/02/visiting-tanzanias-first-ever-gm o-crop-trial/ GMOs and Gene Flow: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influe nce-genetic-diversity/
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