Genetically Modified

Organisms
By ----Philosophy of the Environment

Genetically Modified
Organisms
Organisms that have had their
genomes modified by Genetic
Engineering
Genetic Engineering uses methods
such as the insertion of DNA from
other organisms to produce desired
traits (recombinant DNA)
Many of these organisms are being
integrated into Americas the food
supply

Gentically Modified Foods in

Americas food supply
Some GMO crops grown in America are:

Soybeans,
Corn,
Cotton,
Zucchini,
Canola,
Papaya

Alfalfa
Sugar Beets
Wheat
Flax
Squash
many more

Genetically modified Salmon was approved by

the FDA

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered
-crops-in-the-us/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption.aspx#.UoGMqfmshcY

GMO corn
Maize (Corn)
Can be modified to produce pesticide, to be
resistant to the Glyphosate herbicide, Roundup, or stacked which contains both
modifications.
GMO starlink branded corn was only
approved for Animal feed yet has been found
in food for human consumption

GMO soybeans
The most widespread GM crop
93% of soybean acerage in America was
genetcially modified in 2010 (
USDA Agricultural Statistics Boards)
GM and non-GM soybeans are mixed during
processing and harvest

Statistics
Soy
93% is genetically modified

Corn
86% is genetically modified

Sugar Beets
95% are genetically modified

Canola
93% is Genetically Modified

GMO Salmon
AquAdvantage salmon
The FDA found no significant
impact of risk of the Genetically
Modified fish (FDA)
Atlantic salmon modified to
produce growth hormone from
pacific Chinook salmon
The Salmon will be farmed on
land as to not create competition
for wild salmon

Enviornmental Impacts of GMOs

Round-Up ready crops allow
the overuse of Glyphosate
herbicide as it will not impact
the plant.
It is feared that GMO animals
would out compete wild type
animals if released.
Cross Pollination with other
crops could unknowingly
spread GMOs

Possible Health Effects of

GMOs
GMO corn has been linked to obesity and
heart disease
Allegations of health effects have been
made against GMOs

They are more allergenic

Lower birth rate
Infertility
GMO corn causes higher rates of
obesity and cancer in mice

Benefits of GMO foods

Better growth rates to feed growing world
population
Disease resistance
Cold Tolerance
Greater growth rates

FDA Policy

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.-FDA
Statement of Policy

Ethical Issues

Little or no research has been done on

humans, making any information available
non-necessarily true in the case of humans.
Consumer rights
Do consumers have the right to information on
whether their foods are modified?
Should these foods be sold if there might be
negative health effects to consumers?

Philosphical views of GMOs

Allows for patenting of genomes in which
most of the DNA is sequenced without
humans
GMOs are often deemed as bad simply
because of their status as unnatural
despite the lack of proof to their whether
they are harmful or helpful.
Appeals to natural, setting humans apart from
nature and implying that there is a proper
state

 Aleksejeva, Inese. "Use Of Genetically Modified Organisms In Food

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Development Conference Proceedings32 (2013): 113-119.Academic
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Howlett, Michael, and David H. Laycock.Regulating Next Generation
Agri-Food Bio-Technologies: Lessons from European, North American
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