GENETICALLY ALTERED CROPS

WHAT ARE GMO's



Genetically modified foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material has been modified in a way that does not occur natural

MAIN ISSUES OF CONCERN

-Allergenicity (having an effect of an allergen)
*none found now
-Gene transfer
*if antibiotic resistant genes, used in GMO's, were transferred
-Outcrossing
*movement of genes from GM plants into crops may have an effect in food safety

Are GM foods safe?

• -every food is different
• -not really a human health risk

Why are they produced?

• -lower prices
• -greater benefit (durability)

ADVANTAGES



-Pest resistance
-Herbicide tolerance
-Disease resistance
-Cold tolerance
-Drought tolerance/ salinity tolerance
-Nutrition

DISADVANTAGES OF GMO's


-Not a "natural" taste
-cross pollination
-More resistant "super pests"
-GMO's may cause unknown health problems
-Possible damages to the environment
-New allergies may developed

BIBLIOGRAPHY
-www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/
-www.who.int/foodsafe/publications/biotech/20questions/en/
-http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/per/webwn?s=allergenic
-www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php