2. What are GMOs? When a gene from one species (eg. bacteria) is artificially introduced into a different & often unrelated species (eg. cotton), a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is formed. An example: A gene from a fish was put into a tomato
6. GM crops produce higher yields than natural crops. This will help us feed our growing population. False!!
7. Genetically Modified foods DO NOT have a yield increasing gene! The Union of Concerned Scientists, USA concluded after an in-depth study that GMOs do not increase yield; in fact, on average, yields decrease. On the contrary.. “…eco-farming projects in 57 nations demonstrated average cropyield gains of 80%by tapping natural methods..” UN Report by Dr. Olivier De Schutter
8. By using GMOs , farmers will end up using less pesticides and thus decrease costs. False!
9. In Herbicide Tolerant GM crops, Glyphosate(pesticide) use has increased from less than 5 million to more than 50 million pounds per year (USDA, 2003)
10. Farmers spray more pesticides because they know that the plant is resistant, but the weed is not.
11. Herbicide Tolerant Crop producers are also herbicide producers. For example: Roundup Ready Soy seeds are made by Monsanto, which also makes the herbicideRoundUp.
12. GM Crops are said to be “substantially equivalent”to Non-GM crops, so there is no compromise on safety & health. False!
13. Insect Resistant crops (Bt crops) have a pesticide INSERTED IN them! Since it is within, it cannot even be washed away.
14. Most GM studies have been conducted by the Biotech industry..
15. Rats fed GM Soy Right: 20-day old rat from GM Soy fed group Left: 19-day old rat from Non-GM Soy fed group 2005 Study by Dr. Irina Ermakova
16. More than 50% mortality Less than 10% mortality Study on GM Soy (2005) by Dr. Irina Ermakova
17. Mice ate Bt corn (90 days) Indicatorsfor liver and kidney toxicity, blood pressure problems, allergies, infections or disease, higher blood sugar, and anemia Study by Monsanto.
20. “The Andhra Pradesh Government has advised farmers not to allow animals to graze on Bt cotton fields after four institutes reported the presence of toxins in them.” The Hindustan Times, 17 June 2007
21. Bt Cotton farmers in India have reported itching all over the body, eruptions, wounds, discoloration.
22. FOUND: The Only Human Feeding Study on GM Crops Genes from the modified crop transferred to intestinal bacteria
23. IMPLICATIONS: If Bt genes transfer They might turn our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories
24. FDA declares GMOs no different “The agency is not aware of any information showing that foods derived by these new methods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way.” “Statement of Policy” May 29, 1992 Food and Drug Administration
25. Secret FDA documents indicate that reports done bythe FDA’s own scientistscontradicted this statement.
26. Who overruled the scientists? Michael Taylor In charge of FDA policy Former Monsanto attorney Later Monsanto vice president Currently, Deputy Commissioner for Foods, FDA
27. American consumers are unaware of eating GM.. As far as you know, have you ever eaten genetically modified foods? No........................................60% Don’t Know...........................15% Yes.......................................25% Institute for Responsible Technology, America
28. GM in India Bt Cotton is the only GM crop grown in India
29. Bt Brinjal was placed on a 2 year moratorium because consumers opposed it!
30. There are 55 crops in the pipeline for clearance..
31. The proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill This Bill will allow quick clearance of GM crops by just a handful of people.
32. In India, labeling is NOT possible since most foods are not packaged. Consumers will lose their Right of Choice
34. What can you do? Sign a letter to the Prime Minister of India to stop the proposed BRAI Bill - www.iamnolabrat.com Spread the word at your school, college or workplace. You can use this presentation. Get more information on GM, follow us on: Twitter- @LEAFinitiative Facebook- www.facebook.com/theleafinitiative Number - +91 9594024202
35. The future of our agriculture and food is in our hands.. Act NOW!
Inserted with bacterial genes that allow them to survive otherwise deadly doses of toxic herbicide.Inserted genes from the bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis that produces an insect-killing pesticide called Bt-toxin in every cell of the plant.
The IAASTD report concluded that current GMOs do not reduce hunger & poverty, do not improve nutrition, nor do they facilitate social and environmental sustainability!
Herbicide Tolerant crops are inserted with bacterial genes that allow them to survive otherwise deadly doses of toxic herbicide.
When a senior scientist from the Russian Academy of Sciences fed female rats GM soy, starting two weeks before they conceived, and continuing through pregnancy and lactation, more than 50% of the offspring died within 3 weeks. Of the offspring whose mothers who ate non-GM soy, only 1 in 10 died within the same time period.[I.V.Ermakova, “Genetically Modified Organisms and Biological Risks,” Proceedings of International Disaster Reduction Conference (IDRC) Davos, Switzerland August 27th – September 1st, 2006: 168–172; and Irina Ermakova, “Genetically modified soy leads to the decrease of weight and high mortality of rat pups of the first generation. Preliminary studies,” Ecosinform 1 (2006): 4–9.]
