Name: D.

Sairam
Topic: GM Foods: Messiah for
Mankind ?
GM Foods: Messiah for
Mankind?

Source. www.knowyourmeme.com/GMO
 What are GM Foods and GM based
Products ?
A Genetically Modified Crop (GMC) is an plant whose
genetic characteristics have been altered by human beings.
In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant
which does not occur naturally in the species. Examples in
food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or
environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, or resistance
to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance to a weed), or
improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
Examples of GM based food products are as follows: Corn,
Cotton, Brinjal etc.
Source: Nature 2014
 Usefulness of GM crops
Improved shelf life E.g.: Flavr Savr
Improved nutrition E.g.: Golden Rice
Stress resistance E.g.: Maize
Herbicide resistance E.g.: Tobacco
Pathogen resistance E.g.: Papaya
Production of useful by-products E.g.:
Biofuels, Drugs
Source: Lancet 2013
 Harmful Effects of GMCs

1. Human health
. Allergen and toxin
. Unknown effects on human health
2. Environmental hazards
. Unintended harm to other organisms
. Gene transfer to non-target species
. BT resistance Insects

Source: Goog;e Images

 Human health
Allergen and toxins

Unknown effects on human health

Bt crops linked to sterility, disease, and death

The results of most studies with GM foods indicate that they may cause
some common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or
reproductive effects and may alter the hematological, biochemical, and
immunologic parameters. The results of most studies with GM foods
indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic,
pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the hematological,
biochemical, and immunologic parameters
 Environment Hazards
Unintended harm to other organisms
.
Threat to soil ecosystems : Many Bt crops
secrete their toxin from their roots into the
soil18. Residues left in the field contain the
active Bt toxin .19, 20, 21, 22 The long-term,
cumulative effects of growing Bt maize are of
concern.

Toxic effects of herbicides on ecosystems.

Several new studies suggest that Roundup is
far less benign than previously thought33. For
example, it is toxic to aquatic organisms such
as frog larvae34 and there are concerns that it
could affect plants essential for farmland
birds35

 They increase pesticide

Miscellaneous Effects
usage.
They hasten Environmental
Degradation.
They release Frankenstein
like creatures into the world.

There are several

misconceptions about GM
foods and its products .
Source: Google Images
Source: NCBI
 Case Studies on GMCs
Golden Rice ( explained by Raymond St. Leger)
Flavr Savr ( CGN-89564-2)
The first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be
granted a license for human consumption.
Through genetic engineering, Calgene hoped to slow the ripening
process of the tomato and thus prevent it from softening, while still
allowing the tomato to retain its natural colour and flavour. [3] The
tomato was made more resistant to rotting by adding an
antisense gene which interferes with the production of the
enzyme polygalacturonase.
An improved flavour, later achieved through traditional breeding of
Flavr Savr and better tasting varieties, would also contribute to selling
Flavr Savr at a premium price at the supermarket.
 Why we need GMCs?
Biotech crops increase yields : Productivity in GM crops has delivered gains in
some cases that are 720% higher than conventional varieties (which are on
average 33% higher than organic yields). (sources: Nature, PG Economics).
Biotech crops can help address the global food crisis.
Crop biotechnology helps small farmers: 90% of the 17 million farmers who grow
biotech crops are resource-poor with farms of less than 10 hectares. The growth
rate for biotech crops is at least three times as fast and five times as large in
developing countries than industrialized countries. (source: ISAAA, New York
Times).
Biotech crops spur global economic growth : Economic benefits of GM crops
amounts to an average of over $ 30/hectare In the last 16 years, planted biotech
crop acres have increased 100-fold from 1.7 million hectares to 170 million
hectares. (source: ISAAA).
Biotech crops help increase income of poorer farmers, reducing poverty and
malnutrition.
Source: Guardian
In Conclusion, GM Foods
are here to stay and are
truly the Messiah of
Mankind
 References
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FINAL-Biotechnology
-infographic_0725_clean.pdf
http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/522596/why-we-will-need-genetically-modifi
ed-foods/
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/434214/GM_Fact%20Sheet_Health_%20and_
Env_Impacts.pdf
http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/4/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18989835
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11361.cfm
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/pusztai.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_crops#Effects_on_farming_practices
http://www.umd.edu/
THANK YOU