8. Fact-sheet
Topic: GMO 101 – The Rundown
Introduction
This fact sheet will provide the listener with an explanation about GMO’S. More
specifically, it will focus around three major questions and responses. The listener should
be able to walk away from the program with more than just a basic idea about GMO’S.
The questions that we will be exploring are as follows: What exactly are GMO’S, What are
their health and environmental implications, and in what types of foods are they found?
Body
So what are GMO’s?
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is essentially food or seeds that have been
genetically engineered. It occurs when the DNA of one species is chemically inserted or
forced into a totally separate plant, animal, or bacteria. This in turn creates a completely
new organism that is different from cross breeding or grafting. These “new organisms” are
entities that we would never see existing within nature on their own.
So why would anyone do this?
A major benefit of these commercially produced GMO’S is that they are designed to
withstand direct contact with herbicides and also possess the ability to produce their own
pesticides.
We can group GMO’S into 3 different categories.
1. Pesticide Resistant Plants- These are resistant to pesticides/ poison that is produced
by the same companies that genetically engineer the crops.
2. Insecticide Induced Plants- These produce their own pesticide/poison to kill insects.
3. Plants with Longer Life Span- These are modified to live longer so they can undergo
long distance transportation. (Contribute to Global warming because long distance
transportation emits a lot of C02 into the atmosphere)
What are the benefits, if any, associated with GMO’S?
The benefits can only be seen from an economic standpoint. GMO’S are NOT designed to
provide a better yield, resist drought, or improve nutrition.
What are the environmental and health risks associated with GMO’S?
Environmental dangers
It is no secret that nature finds ways to evolve. Many weeds are becoming resistant to the
commercial herbicides and pesticides created by these big companies. This means they
must continue to produce stronger and stronger poison each time. It impacts the other
living organisms around it, which make it very dangerous. For example, in India, an
investigation was conducted and the results showed, “ at least 1,820 sheep were reported
dead after grazing on post-harvest Bt cotton crops; the symptoms and post-mortem
findings strongly suggest they died from severe toxicity.” (7)
Health risks
Many studies illustrate that genetically engineered foods are correlated with tumors, cancer,
and birth defects in lab mice. A study conducted by a group of scientists from France’s
University of Caen, published pictures of sick rats filled with tumors after they were fed a
diet of GM corn. (1) Jefery Smith, author of “Genetic Roulette: The Dangers of GMO’S”
states that GMO foods are “linked to toxic and allergic reactions, sick, sterile, and dead
livestock, and damage to virtually every organ studied in lab animals.”
In what types of foods can GMO’S be found?
So far there are several crops being grown that are genetically engineered. There are also
several they are working on to get approved. The GM crops that currently exist are cotton,
soy, sweet corn, sugar beets, wheat, Hawaiian papaya, canola, summer squash. The crops
that are currently being worked on or waiting for approval are tomatoes, rice, alfalfa, peas,
salmon, and yeast. When you are grocery shopping it is important to read labels because the
majority of processed foods contain gm ingredients. For example, anything with vegetable,
corn, soy, or canola oil is more than likely gm. You also need to watch out for ingredients
associated with the crops like lets say high fructose corn syrup,or other products associated
with corn or soy. Almost all meat that is imported is probably fed a diet high in gm corn or
grain. Most dairy, unless labeled organic or rBST- free comes from cows that have been
injected with rBST, a GM hormone. Most cereal, cookies, chips, and other snacks have
beet sugar, corn syrup or other corn products, soy proteins or isolates,or rBST milk
proteins that are GM.
Conclusion
GMO’s are dangerous to humans, plants and animals, and the earth. They harm our bodies
making us sick slowly but surely, they kill the plants and animals and other life around us,
and they are polluting our soil turning it into poison. They offer no benefits besides the
economical gain by the giant corporate companies that produce them. As consumers, it is
our right to know what we are eating and choose for ourselves. It is our responsibility to
protect our children, ourselves, and the environment. If we continue to let these huge
corporations contaminate our planet, what will be left for our children and the future
generations.
Questions:
1. What does the abbreviation GMO stand for?
Answer: Genetically Modified Organism
2. Name one of the three categories that GMO’s fall into?
Answer: Pesticide Resistant Plants, Insecticide Induced Plants, Long Life-Span Plants
3. Name one GM crop that is being grown?
Answer: sweet corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, wheat, cotton, Hawaiian papaya, summer
squash.