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Welcome back!

Please get out your
objectives #14-18
and your outline of
GMO reading in
textbook for TWO
stamps.
The way we eat has changed more in
the past 50 years than in the last
10,000
The Green Revolution(s)
Green Revolution #1 (1950-1970)
 Increased fertilizer, fossil fuel, and water
 Increased yield 2-5 times WITHOUT
using more land
 Green Revolution #2 (1967-now) –
introduction of genetically engineered
crops

Selective Breeding/hybridization

Pollen transferred
 Closely related
species
 many generations
 Gradual
improvements
Flavor, shape, color, resistance to
disease, resistance to frost
Glo fish
GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms

Transgenic organisms – insertion of
particular gene into an unrelated organism
to take advantage of a helpful trait
Golden rice – b-carotene added

B-carotene (Vitamin
A) deficiencies =
blindness and death
 (still in the testing
stages)
Aquabounty salmon

Gene from
Chinook Pacific
salmon for growth
added to Atlantic
salmon
 Added DNA for
protein which is
like antifreeze to
keep growth
hormone working

Reaches maturity in
18 months instead of
3 yrs
Monsanto's Roundup Ready
soybeans resistant to herbicide
 Bt corn is modified with a bacterial gene
in order to secrete a poison that kills
pests. That can reduce the need for
chemical pesticides.

GMO Genetically Modified Organisms
Soybeans (93%) , corn (86%), alfalfa,
sugar beets modified to be resistant to
glyphosate
 Sweet peppers, squash modified to be
resistant to viruses
 Cotton (93%) – pest resistance

GMO
Pros
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Increased yields
Desired traits not limited to
related species
No documented negative
effects of eating GMO foods
“terminator” genes increase
profits of agribusiness
Technologies are not
inherently good/bad
Cons



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Escaping pollen may alter wild
species
Unknown future health effects
New allergens could be
introduced
Lack of labeling doesn’t allow for
consumer choice
“terminator” genes increases
dependence of farmers on
companies; ownership of
technology presents legal and
moral issues
Our question:
Should GMO foods be labeled?
Should GMO foods be labled?


Those in favor, including
organic food companies and
food activists, argue that
…residents have a right to
know what's in their food.
Organic farmers, advocacy
groups


Those opposed, including
various food and
biotechnology giants, say the
law could lead to higher
prices at the grocery store
and frivolous lawsuits.
Monsanto, Dupont Pioneer,
Coca-Cola, and Kellogg
GMO video clip
In your team:
Determine your key talking points – what
arguments will win the judges in your favor?
 Use your internet access to find articles with
data to support your main talking points.
 Each person: Bring in copy of an article
supporting your position with your data
highlighted for easy use.
 Prepare defensive arguments against what
you expect the other team to present.

Our question:
Should GMO foods be labeled?
Where do we draw the line?