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group_4_presentation_1_-_genetically_modified_organism_s [2016/09/30 04:13] hongjj |
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| ====== Genetically Modified Organisms ====== | ====== Genetically Modified Organisms ====== | ||
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| + | {{:presentation_1-_gmos.pdf|}} | ||
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| **Public Opinion** | **Public Opinion** | ||
| - | According to Langer, G., 2016, over 90% of Americans, want to know if their food is a GMO . Over half of this population would avoid the food because they are either unsure about it or believe it to be unsafe (Langer, G., 2016). Many cultures benefit from GMO because for example they now have the ability to farm in environments that were previously too volatile. Parents, consisting largely of mothers, are against GMOs due to worry of genetic transfer and fetal harm (Langer, G., 2016). Scientists largely remain supportive and say that the public do not have all of the information. Scientists say that many have minimal understanding about what these products actually are, and their effects on the body or environment (Jaenisch, R. & Mintz, B.,1974). There are also organisations like Chipotle, a popular American burrito restaurant, that influences public opinion. In 2013 Chipotle chose to disclose which menu items were genetically modified, and later took them off their menu entirely (Jaenisch, R. & Mintz, B.,1974). This fuelled the public’s wariness of GMOs. Part of the problem with the lack of GMO awareness is due to Monsanto, a leader in GMO development and biotechnology, who failed to educate the public on the costs and benefits of GMOs from the early stages of production (Jaenisch, R. & Mintz, B.,1974). This resulted in a lot of fear and speculation and now Monsanto is stuck trying to quell this fear instead of educating consumers. Recently they have started attending public events to speak about GMO safety and help improve the public’s opinion. They had over 40 planned events in 2015 alone (Jaenisch, R. & Mintz, B.,1974). | + | According to Langer, G., 2016, over 90% of Americans, want to know if their food is a GMO . Over half of this population would avoid the food because they are either unsure about it or believe it to be unsafe (17). Many cultures benefit from GMO because for example they now have the ability to farm in environments that were previously too volatile. Parents, consisting largely of mothers, are against GMOs due to worry of genetic transfer and fetal harm (17). Scientists largely remain supportive and say that the public do not have all of the information. Scientists say that many have minimal understanding about what these products actually are, and their effects on the body or environment (11). There are also organisations like Chipotle, a popular American burrito restaurant, that influences public opinion. In 2013 Chipotle chose to disclose which menu items were genetically modified, and later took them off their menu entirely (11). This fuelled the public’s wariness of GMOs. Part of the problem with the lack of GMO awareness is due to Monsanto, a leader in GMO development and biotechnology, who failed to educate the public on the costs and benefits of GMOs from the early stages of production (11). This resulted in a lot of fear and speculation and now Monsanto is stuck trying to quell this fear instead of educating consumers. Recently they have started attending public events to speak about GMO safety and help improve the public’s opinion. They had over 40 planned events in 2015 alone (11). |
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| Scientists can continue to develop ways to make GMOs safer for the ecosystem and people. The ultimate goal is to make the technology more accepted by the public, something that could be obtained from education initiatives. A large setback to GM technology is its environmental effects; therefore addressing this problem will solve many issues. There should be efforts made for example, to refine what a plant resistant to pests secretes so that it targets only the pest and not other organisms (see details on monarch butterfly). Companies can also aim to increase types of pharmaceuticals they are pharming in genetically modified organisms to decrease the need to produce it by other means. | Scientists can continue to develop ways to make GMOs safer for the ecosystem and people. The ultimate goal is to make the technology more accepted by the public, something that could be obtained from education initiatives. A large setback to GM technology is its environmental effects; therefore addressing this problem will solve many issues. There should be efforts made for example, to refine what a plant resistant to pests secretes so that it targets only the pest and not other organisms (see details on monarch butterfly). Companies can also aim to increase types of pharmaceuticals they are pharming in genetically modified organisms to decrease the need to produce it by other means. | ||
| - | Overall the process can be streamlined to allow for easier and more effective relocation of genes. Finally, if these things can be implemented successfully this will allow more food to reach different areas. Perhaps countries that must import a variety of food items could begin to grow them on their own instead. This would allow them to be more self sufficient and cut down on the environmental strain of transporting food from other countries. | + | Overall the process can be streamlined to allow for easier and more effective relocation of genes. Finally, if these things can be implemented successfully this will allow more food to reach different areas. Perhaps countries that must import a variety of food items could begin to grow them on their own instead. This would allow them to be more self-sufficient and cut down on the environmental strain of transporting food from other countries. |
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| Controversy is mainly surrounding health and environmental risk factors of GMOs. This includes factors that are known and unknown due to lack of research. Rumours and stigmas about GMOs that are portrayed by the media are often results from scientific papers that have been exaggerated. | Controversy is mainly surrounding health and environmental risk factors of GMOs. This includes factors that are known and unknown due to lack of research. Rumours and stigmas about GMOs that are portrayed by the media are often results from scientific papers that have been exaggerated. | ||
| - | The USA does not currently have labelling laws for GM food (Rangel, G., 2015). It remains to be decided if labelling GM products is good or bad. On one hand, labelling something as GMO makes the consumer more aware but means that less will buy the product (as mentioned in Public Opinions). This results in increased food market prices and resource strain as companies attempt to satisfy the demand for non-GMOs. | + | The USA does not currently have labelling laws for GM food (25). It remains to be decided if labelling GM products is good or bad. On one hand, labelling something as GMO makes the consumer more aware but means that less will buy the product (as mentioned in Public Opinions). This results in increased food market prices and resource strain as companies attempt to satisfy the demand for non-GMOs. |
| - | By 2050 the UN predicts that humans will need to produce 70% more food than we currently do now in 2016 (Northoff, E., 2016). This increase in food production alone will strain resources, and GMOs have the potential to help by providing food with more nutrients, the ability to grow in harsh climates and many other altercations that could be a solution to our growing population’s food demands. | + | By 2050 the UN predicts that humans will need to produce 70% more food than we currently do now in 2016 (19). This increase in food production alone will strain resources, and GMOs have the potential to help by providing food with more nutrients, the ability to grow in harsh climates and many other altercations that could be a solution to our growing population’s food demands. |
| The question remains, is a world without GMOs sustainable? | The question remains, is a world without GMOs sustainable? | ||
