Delli Paoli
AP Environmental Science
Name_____________________________
Per 2 4 8 Date_______ Points 100
GMO Webquest
GMO? OMG! FRANKENFOODS!!
Do GMOs reduce pesticide use? No they don’t!
Are GMOs are harmless? Yes, they are!!
Do GMOs need to be labeled? No, they don’t!
Not sure who to believe?
Now is your chance to become informed on the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) so
that you can make an intelligent decision in the lunch line, grocery store, and at the ballot box.
You will take on the role of one of the following: a GMO supporting scientist from Monsanto, Inc.,
organic farmer, member of the World Health Organization, Member of the Union of Concerned
Scientists, medical doctor, USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
You will ultimately be responsible for answering these big idea questions:
Are GMO foods safe to eat?
Should the government require GMO foods be labeled?
Do the benefits of GMO foods outweigh the possible risks?
TASK
GMO Perspectives Sites that may assist you in your research:
1. PBS: excerpts of interviews from NOVA/Frontline's 'Harvest of Fear'
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/viewpoints/
2. Dr. Oz 'GMO foods: Get the Facts'
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/genetically-modified-foods-get-facts
3. High Protein Corn
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/06/020605072808.htm
4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodScienceResearch/Biotechnology/ucm346030.htm
5.
Monsanto on Improving Agriculture
http://www.monsanto.com/improvingagriculture/Pages/why-does-agriculture-need-tobe-improved.aspx
6. Organic farming can feed the world:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070711134523.htm
7. UCSF article 'Genetically Modified Food Labeling Through the Lens of Public
Health'
http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2012/11/13058/genetically-modified-food-labeling-throughlens-public-health
8. Pollutants from GMO crops:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100927155324.htm
9. Human Genome Project - sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office
of Biological and Environmental Research, Human Genome Program
http://genome%20project%20%20sponsored%20by%20%20u.s.%20department%20of%20en
ergy%20office%20of%20science,%20office%20of%20biological%20and%20environmental%20res
earch,%20human%20genome%20program%20http//www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_
Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml
10. Greenpeace 'Support Sustainable Agriculture’
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/genetic-engineering/
PROCESS
This webpage was produced as an assignment for an undergraduate course at Davidson College.
Debate and Policies on Labeling GM Foods
Pros and Cons of Labeling
There are a lot of different views on this topic and therefore there is a lot of debate. Below, the major points on
both sides of the debate are outlined. There will also be a section discussing some surveys that have been taken
in different countries.
Pros
The biggest pro cited by advocates is that labeling gives consumers a choice in what they are eating
(Biotechnology Issues, 2001). Another argument is that labeling would deter “further market and trade
disruptions” (Biotechnology Issues, 2001). Those pro labeling cite the lack of willingness to clearly label GM
foods as meaning that GM producers have something to hide and the industry does not support consumers
making an informed decision (Hunter, 2000). Advocacy groups and individuals alike want the US and Canada
to mandate private firms to label products containing GM ingredients and content, no matter the cost.
Mandatory labeling may not be possible, but some other way is needed to give consumers the info they want
(Smyth and Phillips, 2003). In order to ensure all GM food is being properly labeled, some groups, like Friends
of the Earth, want the governments to levy tax on GM producers so they are the ones who pay for the
monitoring, and not the consumers. (Houlder, 1999).
Cons
U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Egypt have taken the first step in filing a formal dispute with the World Trade
Organization against the EU moratorium on new approvals. They argue the moratorium is a barrier to trade and
does not adhere to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the WTO. The also dislike the fact there is not
a clear timetable for addressing the lack of scientific evidence against GMO. The Labeling Committee of the
Codex Alimentarius has been meeting since 1994 to work out international standards for the labeling of GM
foods (Smyth and Phillips, 2003). Recently, it seems as though the EU is taking steps to lift the ban, so maybe
the dispute will fizzle out.
Some of the proposals offered by those who want mandatory labeling will waste money, unnecessarily alarm
consumers, and delay advances in biotechnology. Also, the availability of detection methods is limited and
there is the potential for discrimination against producers or GM-friendly countries. What people don’t often
realize is that the consequences of imposing labels can be expensive (Reiss, 2002). In the U.K. and EU, there
are funding shortages that make monitoring difficult (Houlder, 1999). EU proposals for labeling are not
enforceable without cash (Anonymous, 2003). Also, small businesses are not aware of all the rules of labeling
GM foods. In addition, GM-free means different things in GM free means different things in different parts of
the EU, which could potentially cause trade problems (Houlder, 1999).
One alternative offered is to allow restaurants and companies to label voluntarily. Consumers who really want
GM free foods will choose to buy or eat at those establishments and incur the cost. Most consumers, however,
will not put forth the effort to do this (Reiss, 2002). Mandatory labels are not economically or physically
feasible, nor are many voluntary labeling proposals. Labeling could deter consumers from buying GM foods
and then they would disappear off the market. There are not many “economic incentives for firms to provide
GM labeling information.” If labeling is considered a good political move, governments will force the labeling
of GM foods and the cost will be passed to consumers (Smyth and Phillips, 2003). Voluntarily or mandatory,
labeling would cause a segregated market. Segregated markets would not be good in the long run because they
would cause a rift in the supply and demand curve and the overall effect would be less quantity and higher
prices in both markets (Biotechnology Issues, 2001). The U.S., the EU, and other regions of the world already
ensure that the GM foods on the shelf are safe and therefore mandatory labeling is not required. (Reiss, 2002).
Surveys
Multitudes of surveys have shown Americans to be in favor of GM labeling (Genetic Engineering Network,
2003). While 94% of Americans want labeling, the numbers on mandatory labeling or the avoidance of labeled
foods varies from survey to survey (Hallman, Hebden, Aquino, Cuite, and Lang, 2003; Genetic Engineering
Network, 2003). Although an overwhelming majority of Americans want labeling on GM foods, before GM
foods were mentioned, less than 1% mentioned GM ingredients as something they would want to see on food
labels (Hallman, Hebden, Aquino, Cuite, and Lang, 2003). This brings up an interesting point: Do Americans
really know what GM foods are? A survey among Americans shows terms like GM, non-GM, and GM–free do
not provide sufficient information to consumers, and many Americans do not understand those terms. Surveys
in Canada, Japan, Norway, the U.S. and the U.K. showed that consumers want GM foods to be labeled, but an
experimental test in North America showed that GM labels did not have a significant impact on consumer
purchasing. One study did show that in the U.S. voluntary labeling would be more effective (Smyth and
Phillips, 2003). In general, Americans want the labels, would be willing to incur the cost, and want access to
detailed information on GM foods. Most think it is okay for Japan and the EU to mandate GM labeling even if
consumers will not buy U.S. foods since the long term effects are not known and consumers have a right to
choose. “A majority says that it would avoid eating genetically modified food, but this resistance is not deepseated, as a majority also says that it would probably buy such food if it was cheaper, tasted better, or was less
apt to require the use of pesticides” (Program on International Policy Attitudes).
It is not the same in all countries. In a study in Norway, large discounts had to be offered to buyers before they
would purchase GM bread or salmon. While Americans are at least aware of the GM controversy, consumers in
Colombia and Italy are not very aware of GM food products (Smyth and Phillips, 2003).
One must be leery of any surveys presented on either the pro or con side. “Environmental groups and critic of
biotechnology claim that >95% of consumers responding to surveys indicate that they want GM content to be
labeled, but surveys for the biotech industry show that only 2% of unprompted consumers ask for GM labeling”
(Smyth and Phillips, 2003). It really depends on how the questions are worded and the company paying to have
the survey done.
Introduction
Policies
Policies cont.
Detection
Pros and Cons
Works Cited
Davidson Biology Home
Davidson Home
GMOs Course Home
This page was created by Nicole Hesson. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, email the editor.
Process: This page outlines what you will do. For how you will be graded and the time each step
should take please visit the evaluation page.
Step 1: Define GMO and explain how GMOs are created. (Take Notes)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/g/genetically_modified_food.htm
Step 2: Use the PBS interactive to go through the process of creating a genetically modified
organism. Be sure to take notes.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/engineer/transgen.html
Step 3: Learn what items are genetically modified and why. Use the attached worksheet to help you
organize your findings with this site titled; 'Guess what's coming to dinner!' Use this interactive to learn
more about what foods are being genetically modified and why.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/coming/
List version of top 10 GMO foods- Record the top 10 with notes describing the reason why they
are part of the top 10 list of GMO foods: 1) http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10genetically-modified-food-products.htm OR
2) shows/curiosity/topics/10-genetically-modified-food-products.htm
Step 4: Research information based on the respective role that you chose while completing your
webquest:
- Genesanto corporation executive
- Tomato Farmer
- Organic Farming Cooperative
Step 5: Use the GMO Perspectives section. These websites will help you determine some pros and
cons of GMO argument.
- Create note cards, a googledoc, or a Word document with quotes that support your point of
view as well as that of the role you are playing.
Step 6: Participate in a classroom verbal debate on GMOs supporting the position you have chosen.
See evaluation page for a rubric.