CAPT EMBEDDED TASKCAPT EMBEDDED TASKBioengineered FoodsBioengineered Foods

Bioengineered Foods:Bioengineered Foods: Friend or Foe?Friend or Foe?

Your task was to design Your task was to design a persuasive pamphlet a persuasive pamphlet in support of or in in support of or in opposition to the opposition to the mandatory labeling of mandatory labeling of genetically altered food genetically altered food based on scientific based on scientific evidence.evidence.

You used various You used various sources to support your sources to support your stance, carefully stance, carefully considering the considering the credibility of those credibility of those sources.sources.

What are genetically modified What are genetically modified foods?foods?

They are foods that They are foods that look altogether look altogether “normal” in all “normal” in all respects, yet they are respects, yet they are genetically different.genetically different.

Inside their DNA – the Inside their DNA – the genetic code that genetic code that determines the way determines the way they look, feel, and they look, feel, and taste is an extra gene.taste is an extra gene.

Bioengineers are using Bioengineers are using gene-splicing gene-splicing technology to add this technology to add this gene to developing gene to developing crops and foods.crops and foods.

Why have bioengineers developed Why have bioengineers developed genetically modified foods (GMF)?genetically modified foods (GMF)?

..as a means to solve world hunger and ..as a means to solve world hunger and poverty.poverty.

Foods are nutritionally enhancedFoods are nutritionally enhanced Longer lasting shelf lifeLonger lasting shelf life Resistant to drought, frost, and pestsResistant to drought, frost, and pests Hopefully will relieve famine and improve economies Hopefully will relieve famine and improve economies

of many developing countries.of many developing countries.

What types of foods are What types of foods are genetically modified?genetically modified?

Corn and tomatoes…

Rice and soybeans…

Cotton and canola…

Alfalfa and sweet potatoes…

What are the benefits of What are the benefits of GMF?GMF?

CROPSCROPS Enhanced taste and qualityEnhanced taste and quality Reduced maturation timeReduced maturation time Increased nutrients and Increased nutrients and

yieldsyields Improved resistance to Improved resistance to

disease, pests, and disease, pests, and herbicidesherbicides

ANIMALSANIMALS Increased resistance to Increased resistance to

diseasedisease Better yields of meat, Better yields of meat,

eggs, and milkeggs, and milk

What are the What are the ‘cons’ of GMF?‘cons’ of GMF?

Potential human health impact such as production of new Potential human health impact such as production of new allergens.allergens.

Domination or monopolization of world’s food supply by only Domination or monopolization of world’s food supply by only a few nations.a few nations.

The ethical issue surrounds the tampering of nature by mixing The ethical issue surrounds the tampering of nature by mixing genes among species.genes among species.

How are GMF labeled?How are GMF labeled?

Agribusiness industries Agribusiness industries believe labeling should believe labeling should be voluntary.be voluntary.

Consumer interest Consumer interest groups are demanding groups are demanding mandatory labeling.mandatory labeling.

Do people have the Do people have the right to know what they right to know what they are eating?are eating?

Are consumers willing Are consumers willing to absorb the cost of to absorb the cost of that labeling?that labeling?

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

GMF have the potential to…GMF have the potential to… Solve world hungerSolve world hunger Protect and preserve the environment by Protect and preserve the environment by

increasing crop yieldincreasing crop yield Reduce dependence on pesticides and Reduce dependence on pesticides and

herbicidesherbicides

HOWEVERHOWEVER We must proceed with caution to avoid We must proceed with caution to avoid

causing harm to human health and causing harm to human health and environment.environment.