Download GM?

GM?
Never heard of it?
Uh-oh…
you’d better watch out!
GM foods, or GMO, is a term which has
been discussed for several years. It’s an
invention related to biotechnology.
GM is a contraction of
“Genetically Modified.” (基因改造)
And GMO means
“Genetically-Modified Organism.”
(基因改造有機體)
But what is it after all?
Where is GM food from?
Some crops, plants are modified in the lab to gain desired
traits such as “increased resistance to herbicides” or
“improved nutrition.” In the past, to improve the quality of
crops is very time-consuming and not all successful. But
right now, scientists have the techniques to combine
different genes from different organisms to achieve the
exact traits we need.
We call this kind of profession “Genetic engineering.”
An example of GM food:
1. Find a plant which can survive the severe hot weather.
2. Find out the gene which carries the character.
3. Insert the gene into a wheat cell.
4. When the wheat grows, it is able to survive better in dry
environment.
Some photos of GMOs
Which countries are planting GM crops?
• the US (68%), Argentina (23%), Canada (7%), China (1%)
and other 9 countries. (by 2000)
• In 1996, only 4.3 million acres were used to grow GM
crops. By 2000, it increased to 109 million. And about
99 million acres of GM farm were in US and Argentina
alone.
What are the most widely grown GM crops?
• Corns
• Soybeans
• Cotton
• Rapeseed
• Potatoes
82%
Why are GM foods’ advantages?
• More cost-effective
(pesticide/ time-saving/ drought )
• Can benefit human health
• Could help the developing countries
• Cut down on pesticide and herbicide
• May help preserve natural habitats
However,
controversy must come along…
What are people worried?
•
•
•
•
•
Could increase pesticide and herbicide instead
Could damage non-GM farmers
Have unpredictable health risks (allergy)
Mainly benefits big biotechnology companies (patent)
Could affect biodiversity
People against GM food say…
Very ironic…
Protesters
over the world…
There’s even a new word invented!
Frankenfood (n.)
Food derived from
genetically modified
(GM) plants and
animals.
@ The word comes from
a famous novel
character:
Frankenstein
Frankenstein?
The answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Genetically, Modified
Biotechnology
Scientists combine genes with the traits we need.
Genetic engineering
1) Find a plant which can survive the severe hot weather.
2)Find out the gene which carries the character.
3)Insert the gene into a wheat cell.
4)When the wheat grows, it is able to survive better in dry
environment.
6. The US (68%), Argentina (23%)
7. 13
8. 104.7 million acres
9.corns, soybeans, 82%
10. a) More cost-effective
b) Can benefit human health
c) Could help the developing countries
d) Cut down on pesticide and herbicide
e) May help preserve natural habitats
11. a) Could increase pesticide and
herbicide instead
b) Could damage non-GM farmers
c) Have unpredictable health risks
(allergy)
d) Mainly benefits big biotechnology
companies
e) Could affect biodiversity
12. Frankenfood