Genetically modified food

1. Genetically modified food • Despite the Green Revolution, relentless population growth demands more innovation to feed us • Scientists alter genes of organisms • Crop plants and livestock • Genetically modified organisms enhance nutrition and agricultural efficiency • But the risks are not well understood, leading to anxiety and protest from: • Consumer advocates, small farmers, environmentalists, critics of big business

2. Genetically modified organisms • Genetic engineering:laboratory manipulation of genetic material • Add, delete, modify DNA • Genetically modified (GM) organisms: organisms that have been genetically engineered using … • Recombinant DNA: DNA created from multiple organisms

3. Biotechnology is impacting our lives • The goal of genetic engineering: put genes that code for desirable traits (rapid growth, nutrition, etc.) • Into organisms lacking those traits • Transgenic organism: an organism that contains DNA from another species • Transgenes:the genes that have moved between organisms • Biotechnology: the application of biological science to create products derived from organisms • It has created medicines, cleaned up pollution, dissolved blood clots, and made better food

4. Some genetically modified foods

5. Selective breeding vs. genetic engineering Selective breeding: changes organisms through selective breeding of the same or similar species Works with organisms in the field Genes come together on their own Uses the process of selection to change organisms Genetic engineering: mixes genes of different species (e.g., spiders and goats) Works with genetic material in the lab Directly creates novel combinations of genes Resembles the process of mutation

6. Biotechnology is changing our world GM foods are a big business Most GM crops are herbicide and pesticide resistant Large-scale farmers grow crops more efficiently Most U.S. corn, soybeans, and cotton are genetically modified

7. What are the impacts of GM crops? As GM crops expanded, citizens, scientists, and policymakers became concerned that: GM crops could have adverse impacts on human health Pests could evolve resistance and become “superpests” and “superweeds” GM crops could harm nontarget organisms GM crops could interbreed with closely related wild plants Millions of Americans eat GM foods without obvious harm But it is too early to dismiss concerns

8. Some impacts of GM crops Mixed results on pesticide use Insecticide use declined, but herbicide use increased GM foods can advance sustainable agriculture Grown with no-till farming Drought resistant and high-yielding Problems with GM foods: Expensive Little incentive to develop crops for small-scale farmers

9. Genetic engineering is profit driven This “gene revolution” is driven by financial interests of corporations A few large agribiotech corporations dominate the world’s food supply Europeans want GM foods labeled U.S. consumers have mostly accepted GM crops Brazil, India, and China are aggressively pursuing GM crops We should follow the precautionary principle and proceed with caution on GM foods

10. PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE • One should not undertake new action until the consequences are thoroughly understood. • Basis for U.S. Environmental Policy, FDA/New drugs. • Fought by companies

11. Consumption of animal products is growing As wealth and commerce increase, so does consumption of meat, milk, and eggs Since 1950, global meat production has increased fivefold, and per capita meat consumption has doubled • As developing nations become wealthier, meat consumption will double by 2050

12. Our food choices are also energy choices Eating meat is far less energy efficient than eating crops 90% of energy is lost from one trophic level to the next Some animals convert grain into meat more efficiently than others

13. Resources needed for livestock production • Land and water are needed to raise food for livestock • Eggs and chicken meat require the least • Producing beef requires the most When we choose what to eat, we choose how we use resources

14. Feedlot agriculture Feedlots (factory farms): also called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) Huge warehouses or pens deliver food to animals living at extremely high densities House over half of the world’s pork and most of its poultry Most U.S. meat is raised in feedlots, which use liberal amounts of antibiotics to control disease

15. Pros and cons of feedlot agriculture It allows greater production of affordable meat It reduces grazing impacts on the land 45% of the world’s grain is fed to livestock Endangering food security for the world’s poor Feedlots produce huge amounts of manure and urine Can pollute surface water and groundwater Crowded housing causes outbreaks in disease Heavy use of antibiotics More greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, nitrous oxides) than automobile emissions

16. We raise seafood with aquaculture World wild fish populations are plummeting Increased demand and technology • Aquaculture: raising aquatic organisms in a controlled environment • Open-water pens or land-based ponds • The fastest-growing type of food production • Most widespread in Asia

17. Aquaculture’s benefits and drawbacks Benefits: Reduces pressure on overharvested wild fish Uses fewer fossil fuels, is safer, and produces more fish than commercial fishing Drawbacks: Lots of waste produced Uses grain, which affects food supplies for people Fish meal is made from wild ocean fish Escaped fish introduce disease or outcompete wild fish

18. Organic agriculture • Sustainable agriculture keeps high crop yields, minimizes resource use, and decreases environmental impacts • Organic agriculture: uses no synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides • Organic Food Production Act (1990) establishes national standards for organic products • The USDA issued criteria in 2000 by which food could be labeled organic • California, Washington, Texas passed stricter guidelines for labeling

19. Benefits and costs of organic farming Farmers have lower input costs, enhanced income, reduced chemical pollution and soil degradation Obstacles include the risks and costs of switching to new methods The main obstacle to consumers is the higher price But many are willing to pay the price Worldwide, sales surpassed $54 billion

20. Organic agriculture is booming U.S. land devoted to organic agriculture has quadrupled since the mid-1990s U.S. consumers spent $24.8 billion on organic food in 2009

21. Governments can support organic farming The U.S. 2008 Farm Bill gives $112 million over 5 years for organic agriculture It helps defray certification costs In 1993, the European Union started supporting farmers financially during conversion to organic farming Reduced inputs and higher market prices will make it as profitable as conventional methods

22. Locally supported agriculture is growing Sustainable agriculture reduces fossil fuel use from long-distance transport of products The average U.S. food product travels 1,400 miles Farmers’ markets: provide fresh, locally grown food Provide organic items and unique local varieties Community-supported agriculture(CSA) Consumers pay farmers in advance for produce Consumers get fresh food Farmers get a guaranteed income

23. Sustainable agriculture: a roadmap for the future • Sustainable agriculture mimics natural ecosystems • They operate in cycles and are internally stabilized by negative feedback loops • Agricultural systems can be integrated with the surrounding ecosystems • Reducing environmental impacts from food production • Making agriculture sustainable is crucial for all of us