G.M. food biology assignment

[chickenmommy]

I am supposed to do research on a genetically modified product of some sort, my choice. The info I have to give: What specifically has been modified with the product? How long has it been on the market? How much of the total genome has been modified? in general is there any way to know if you are eating the product versus normal version. Should consumers be told they are consuming a genetically modified product? How might a genetically modified product have a significant negative effect on the environment?
I know some of you have done some extensive research on this very subject. I don't want your hard work, I need your sources so I can do the research. I have been able to fond where the crops are~~that's no help really. And a list of what foods contain genetically modified ingredients--Fritos!! I knew there was a reason I didn't like them other than the nutrition lable info! I just got this assignment today and have to have the report done by Saturday.
Thanks in advance for any info you can direct me towards!!

[Madame]

While you are waiting, see if Monsanto has a website and also try the Organic Consumer website.

[Annie]

Chickenmommy, try googling "terminator seeds". Had to crash my computer a few months ago, so lost my bookmarks. Will check on some papers I have printed up.

[Beltane]

I liked Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith. I more or less browsed the book, but gleemed good info just the same. Good luck with your research.
http://www.amazon.com/Seeds-Deceptio.../dp/0972966587

[adpond]

My husband told me that you can no longer buy a true granny smith apple. They've all been genetically modified and are completely different from apples say twenty years ago. I have no resources to back it up, but it's a thought anyway.

[Oggie]

I don't know why they created this. Perhaps they selected genes in such a way to create a creature that is even more obnoxious than the original.

[Michael Kawalek]

Originally Posted by adpond

My husband told me that you can no longer buy a true granny smith apple. They've all been genetically modified and are completely different from apples say twenty years ago. I have no resources to back it up, but it's a thought anyway.

That's obsurd! Apples are propagated by grafting, not genetic engineering. He's obviously biased and dosn't know what he talking about. If he can't find a good Granny Smith, it's because commercial growers pick them before they're ripe so they'll ship better. If he really wants a good Granny Smith, he should go to Home Depot and buy one to plant in the back yard.

CM, for you, I'd suggest looking into "Roundup Ready" plants that have been made resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. The problem is that once you have a plant that's resistant you have the tendency to drench the land with as much glyphosate as you can get, greatly increasing the overall levels of herbicide in the environment. I don't have a problem with the engineering of plants for things like disease/pest resistance, because the pests have to come to the field. Herbicide however starts at the field and spreads outward.

[Wiste]

I just finished reading the section in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle that discusses GM produce and some of the issues surrounding it. Would love to read more on the subject as I'm finding there's more to the issue than simply people thinking it's a sin against nature.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by Michael Kawalek

That's obsurd! Apples are propagated by grafting, not genetic engineering. He's obviously biased and dosn't know what he talking about. If he can't find a good Granny Smith, it's because commercial growers pick them before they're ripe so they'll ship better. If he really wants a good Granny Smith, he should go to Home Depot and buy one to plant in the back yard.

CM, for you, I'd suggest looking into "Roundup Ready" plants that have been made resistant to the herbicide glyphosate. The problem is that once you have a plant that's resistant you have the tendency to drench the land with as much glyphosate as you can get, greatly increasing the overall levels of herbicide in the environment. I don't have a problem with the engineering of plants for things like disease/pest resistance, because the pests have to come to the field. Herbicide however starts at the field and spreads outward.

Michael, I agree completely with you on the apples.

However I do not agree with you when you say "you have the tendency to drench the land with as much glyphosphate as you can get," . No farmer who intends to stay in business uses more than is needed, because of the cost.

[DaleK]

http://www.agcare.org/Resources/Fact...=Biotechnology

[Lazy J]

This will be interesting. I'd like to know what GM products a consumer eats DIRECTLY. I don't believe there are ANY!!!

[bill83]

Anyone interested in GM stuff should read 'Seeds of Destruction' by F. William Engdahl.
And /or see ' http://www.globalreasearch.ca/index....t=va&aid=13701 '.

[Mrs. Homesteader]

Someone just sent me this link.

Spilling the Beans is a monthly column available at www..responsibletechnology.org. The website also offers eater-friendly tips for avoiding GMOs at home and in restaurants.

[Lazy J]

Changed my mind, don't need the headache today.

[Michael Kawalek]

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

However I do not agree with you when you say "you have the tendency to drench the land with as much glyphosate as you can get," . No farmer who intends to stay in business uses more than is needed, because of the cost.

Hi KSF
Yes, you are right about that. But,,, wouldn't you agree though that the total amount of glyphosate being used in the United States has gone way up since the introduction of roundup-ready plants? For example how many millions of pounds of it were sprayed in 1985 compared to 2005? I don't have numbers handy, I think it is an exponential increase.

I think that has a much greater environmental impact than say BT-corn, which is only engineered to repel catepillers.

[mooman]

You may not like the idea of roundup ready products, but with the population that we now need to feed on this planet, what's the alternative? Other than growing as much of your own food as possible, which is doable for many of us, but what about the city dwellers? You know they need thier Fritos or they get real cranky.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but glyphosate simply isn't that bad a chemical. Here is the toxicity report on it. http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/glyphosa.htm

It is only slightly toxic, and only at very high doses, it breaks down fairly quickly in the environment compared to some other pesticides, and it stays put (does not leach or run off readily).

We all need to remember that it is not 1962 anymore. The "environmental" and "organic" movements are no longer grass roots efforts. They are big business with just as much to loose as companies like Monsanto and they are just as likely to lie to you and mislead you in order to further thier cause. The solution is to educate yourself using independant sources and make informed decisions on what products to use. Don't let the chemical fear culture or big ag tell you how to think or what to eat.

OP good luck on the project. My personal fear with genetically modified produce is the effect on the world's gene pool.

[wy_white_wolf]

....How might a genetically modified product have a significant negative effect on the environment? ...

I think if you are going to try and answer that question you should also investigate "How might a genetically modified product have a significant positive effect on the environment?"

[Lazy J]

Originally Posted by Michael Kawalek

Hi KSF
Yes, you are right about that. But,,, wouldn't you agree though that the total amount of glyphosate being used in the United States has gone way up since the introduction of roundup-ready plants? For example how many millions of pounds of it were sprayed in 1985 compared to 2005? I don't have numbers handy, I think it is an exponential increase.

I think that has a much greater environmental impact than say BT-corn, which is only engineered to repel catepillers.

The use of Round Up has certainly gone up, but the use of other chemistries has dropped significantly, in particular herbicides with residual effectiveness.

[Lazy J]

Originally Posted by wy_white_wolf

I think if you are going to try and answer that question you should also investigate "How might a genetically modified product have a significant positive effect on the environment?"

+1

[Madame]

Originally Posted by Lazy J

This will be interesting. I'd like to know what GM products a consumer eats DIRECTLY. I don't believe there are ANY!!!

Corn. I think about 90% of the corn in stores and restaurants (excluding those that are labelled organiic) are gm..