2. WHAT IS A GMO?
A genetically modified organism is an organism
whose genetic material has been altered via the
artificial mutation, insertion or deletion of genes using
genetic engineering techniques
Organisms that have been modified include
bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, fish and mammals
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3. GMO FOODS
Not the same as traditional cross-breeding
Enables scientists to breach species barriers created by nature
Mainly used to make crops resistant to pesticides and herbicides
Thousands of genetic modifications are being developed
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4. GMO FOOD HISTORY
1982 – First GM plant (antibiotic-resistant tobacco)
1987– First Field trials (Bt tobacco)
1994– U. S. approval of first GMO food crop (FlavrSavr
tomato – fish genes injected into tomato)
1995– U.S. approval of first pesticide producing GMO food crop (Bt Potato)
1996– U.S. approval of multiple GMO food crops
1997– Europe requires mandatory labeling of GMO foods
2003 - First GMO-resistant pests appear
2004–Mendocino County, CA bans GMO cultivation
2005 – Switzerland becomes first country to ban GMO crops – many follow
2011 - Study finds Bt toxins in blood of pregnant women
2013 – Three states pass GMO labeling laws (CT, VT & ME)
OR governor bans GMO canola production
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5. PREVALENCE
165 million acres worldwide
75% of processed foods contain GMO ingredients
“I can’t even find non-GMO seeds now” – WI farmer
Percent of crops that are GMO
Corn 88%
Cotton 95%
Canola 90%
Sugar beets 95%
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10. IMPACT ON NON-GMO CROPS
Airborne pollination
Insect pollination
Lost organic certification
Import refusal from non-GMO countries
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11. IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Superweeds
22 states with glyphosate-resistant weeds
Increased use of Round Up ( Glyphosate) causing malformations in
frog and chicken embryos
Pesticide resistance
Bt-resistant rootworms in Iowa & IL
Declining bee and butterfly populations
Altered bacterial communities in soil
Glyphosate in air and rainwater
Glyphosate toxic to earthworms
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12. CORPORATE CONTROL
Monsanto
90% of GMO seeds
300%+ increase in seed price
over ten years
Difficult to stop using GMO
seeds once started
Patenting the source of life
Writing the regulations
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