GMO and its impact on our modern society By Jaeseung Shin, Jevon - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

GMO and its impact

• n our modern society

By Jaeseung Shin, Jevon Suharnoko

What is GMO?

Definition:

• Genetic Engineering
• Selective Breeding

Three aspects of GMOs

Biological

• Used in plants to boost yield, resistant

to pests or pesticides.

• Plants are made to be more resilient

Political

• Large biotech corporation’s monopoly
• ver small local farmers.
• Lobbying

Economic

• Increase crop yield
• Support developing countries like

Bangladesh

Myths and Misconceptions

GMOs cause cancer, autism, allergies, gluten intolerance and other illnesses.

• National Academies of Science concludes no substantial evidence was found

between conventional and GMO crops. GMO increase cost of food

• Purdue University concludes that It is more economical to use GMO crops

GMOs have negative impacts on the environment

• Less maintenance and preserves the environment.
• Certain variants of crops can convert nitrogen in the atmosphere. This allows

farmers to use less fertilizers.

PROS VERSUS CONS

Pros:

• Feeds more people/Feeds the future
• Preserves biodiversity/lowers

environmental impact

• Better nutrition in foods (i.e. vitamin

fortified bananas)

• Better economy

○ Higher Yield ○ Lower maintenance cost (pest control)

Cons:

• Lower genetic diversity
• Food allergies
• Chances of long term effects
• Controlled by large corporations (in

the USA)

Questions

Exam questions

1. True or False: Eating GMO plants is no more risky than eating non-GMO equivalent 2. What are the possible application for the GMOs?

a. Producing fruits with higher antioxidant levels. b. Plants that are resilient to climate changes c. Crops that draw nitrogen from the air to reduce the usage of fertilizers d. All of the above e. None of the above

3. Which of the following describes the similarity of GMO to selective breeding

a. Increases genetic diversity b. Produces advantageous traits to survive in the environment c. Inherit genes from more than one parents of the same species d. A and B e. B and C

Answer key

1. TRUE 2. D 3. B

Reference

Kurzgesagt, Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TmcXYp8xu4

GMO background

https://gmoanswers.com/ask/impact-gmos-have-society https://gmoanswers.com/gmo-myths-vs-facts

GMO in developing countries:

https://www.devex.com/news/what-are-the-political-drivers-for-gmos-in-developin g-countries-92091

Drought resistant crops:

https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2017/02/visiting-tanzanias-first-ever-gm

• -crop-trial/

GMOs and Gene Flow:

http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influe nce-genetic-diversity/