Nashutupyee

GM Foods
Genetically modified foods are produced using genetic engineering. This process involves removing genes from one organisms and inserting them into another, in order to enhance particular characteristics. Selective breeding was the traditional and natural method used to alter characteristics in similar species. Genetic engineering allows genes to be transferred quickly between plants and animals, which was previously impossible to do. For example, the gene from a fish that lives in cold seas was inserted into the tomato to make it frost resistant.

GM foods offer greater resistance to pests, a longer shelf life and higher nutritional value. Research is currently being undertaken to develop drought tolerant crops using genetic engineering. Foods that have already been modified to be resistant to insects and disease are corn, wheat, rice, canola, potato, soybean and cotton.

Whole foods that are GM are not available in Australia, however, some products contain ingredients from GM foods. For example, bread may contain soy flour that was produced from GM soybeans.

Genetic engineering is also used for “nutritional enhancement” in GM foods. For example, Vitamin A (the vitamin needed for healthy vision), from the daffodil plant has been inserted into white rice. This rice has been used in countries where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent. It was known as the “Golden Rice Project” and was an attempt to improve health in third world countries. Another area of research in nutritional enhancement is the removal of the protein in nuts which causes allergies.

GM foods are an inexpensive, safe way to produce nutritious food. Better quality crops can be produced with higher nutritional value. The crops can be modified to become resistant to disease and farmers do not need to use pesticides. Crops can be developed that are able to withstand weather extremes. The foods have a longer shelf life and even contain medicinal properties. This can lead to the development of edible vaccines within our everyday food.

E.Parsons GSCC 2010
When biotechnologists create GM food varieties, they sometimes insert “marker” genes that are resistant to antibiotics into the organism. This allows them to tell if the host DNA has successfully had the target gene inserted. The marker genes can reproduce and cause the organism to develop resistance to antibiotics. This becomes a problem for animals that may become sick and require antibiotics which will no longer have any effect.
The target genes can be transferred from one food to another, and new allergens may be created in foods that were once free of them. Once an organism contains a target gene, cross breeding can occur. For example, weeds may cross breed with a GM crop that has a target gene for herbicide resistance. The weed then becomes resistant to herbicides. As a result, more concentrated herbicides may be needed to kill the weed, causing environmental problems such as soil and water contamination. Another issue may be the evolution of pesticide resistant insects.

Biodiversity may also be affected by GM crops. This means we have access to a large variety of crops, for example we can buy different varieties of rice. Currently, crops can be grown organically, traditionally and as GM. Since bees pollinate some plants, cross contamination can occur, affecting organic and non GM crops. Once the target gene enters the crops there is no way of removing it. This means we could lose the biodiversity of both plants and animals. Following this, if the GM crops fail we may face famine.
Health effects of GM foods are not known as research on long term effects is company based causing conflict of interest. Research must be independent in order to present unbiased findings and facts.

The use of GM and GE also give rise to social and ethical issues. Biotechnology companies are able to “patent” certain genes and even organisms. This means they can sell seeds of crops to farmers who then must pay the biotechnology company a royalty when they harvest and sell their produce. For example, a farmer buys GM tomato seeds that are resistant to frost. When the tomatoes grow and the farmer sells his tomatoes to a supermarket, he must also pay the biotechnology company a percentage of his profit as they “own” the GM tomatoes. This creates a monopolization of the world market by this company.
Other issues that may arise are animal welfare (mutations in GM animals and their offspring), religious and cultural issues (target genes in pork, GM bread in the Eucharist).

The single largest issue is that GM organisms themselves can be patented. This means that life, including humans, can become commercial property.

1. Imagine you are the CEO of the biotechnology company Monsanto. Write a statement outlining why society should embrace GM foods. 2. Imagine you are an independent scientist employed to research the negative impacts of GM foods. Explain these disadvantages. 3. E.Parsons GSCC 2010
Based on the information that has been presented, discuss the impacts of the development and use of GM foods on society.

Legislation
Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 and Regulations
The Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 came into effect on 29 April 2004.
The Act provides for the designation of areas of the State for the purposes of preserving the identity of certain food crops according to whether they are genetically modified crops or non-genetically modified crops. The Act also provides certain protections with respect to the spread of genetically modified plant material and for powers to regulate the growing of genetically modified food crops.
Under the Act, areas of the State can be designated as areas in which genetically modified food crops of a specified class can or cannot be cultivated, or in which no genetically modified food crops may be cultivated.
Pursuant to Section 5 of the Act, the Genetically Modified Crops Management Regulations 2008, designate the whole of South Australia as an area in which no genetically modified food crops may be cultivated. The Regulations came into effect on 28 April 2008. The Minister may confer exceptions (See Exemption notices for current list) from the operation of Section 5 of the Act.
Any plant or plant material that forms part of a GM food crop grown outside South Australia, including seed for planting, harvested seed for cleaning, harvested grain for processing or export, or hay, is not permitted to enter South Australia.
Persons found guilty of bringing into South Australia any plant or plant material that forms part of a GM food crop grown outside South Australia can be fined up to $200,000.
The Act also provides for the establishment of a GM Crop Advisory Committee.
Gene Technology Act 2001
The meaning of a genetically modified organism (GMO) is given in the Gene Technology Act 2001.
The powers of authorised officers under the GM Crops Management Act are contained in Part 11, Divisions 3 to 5, and 7 to 11 of the Gene Technology Act 2001.

The Act applies to the cultivation of GM food crops only. It does not apply to non-viable GM products such as food, or to non-food GM crops such as ornamental flowers.
The Act recognises that farmers have a right to choose to grow GM crops or not, and that therefore appropriate systems for segregation and identity preservation need to be in place before the cultivation of GM crops commences. This is to avoid impacts on market access and market premiums that might arise from admixture and failure to meet market specifications.