GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

Milagros AlacioJeffany Bastidas

INDEX What is genetically modified food Which are the dangers ? Which are the possible advantages? Which is the position of the USA? Which is the position of Europe? Which

crops are genetically modified and what are they used for?

Which is the situation in Catalonia? Which food has genetically modified

elements Labels and genetically modified food in

Spain?

1. What is genetically modified food The term Genetically Modified Food, also called

biotech food, means crop plants that have been modified in the laboratory to improve preferred traits, such as resistance to herbicides and cold weather or improved nutritional content.

2. Which are the dangers- It can cause allergy to human body- The crop modified can affect its around. A transgenic product can

contaminate to a non-transgenic product causing an ecological imbalance.- Toxicity - The stability of the inserted gene Industrial agriculture uses synthetic fertilizers and agrochemicals that

contaminates our crops and water, necessary resources we need to cultivate healthy products in the future.

- Transgenic crops can't feed the whole world: it's only the 4'5% of the production.

- They use synthetic fertilizers that contributes to worsening climate change.

3. Which are the possible advantages

GM foods involve a number of undoubted benefit to humans: GM foods, new drugs such as the obtaining of insulin for diabetics, new therapies…

Increase resistance against pest and diseases Climate tolerance (Drought, cold weather etc) Increases food supply

4.Which is the position of the USAUSA is the most producer of transgenic products, moreover, the

pretesting in the united states in not obligatory. The U.S. Government receives all the benefits of that production.

In the United States, there are three different government agencies that have jurisdiction over GM foods.

- The EPA: evaluates GM plants for environmental safety.- The USDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to grow.- The FDA evaluates whether the plant is safe to eat.The EPA is responsible for regulating substances such as pesticides or

toxins.The USDA is responsible for GM crops that is not responsibility of the

EPA.The FDA has been concerned with pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and

food products and additives, not whole foods.

5.Which is the position of Europe? Right now there is a “battle” whether or not

genetically modified food should be permitted in the market. The EU position: “Keep it out. We prefer organic, which is much healthier. The risk of genetically modified foods to health and the environment outweigh the benefits. Only the multinational biotech companies will benefit, dominating the world food supply and squeezing out traditional farmers.

6.Which is the situation in Catalonia?

Catalonia is the second territory of the EU that produces more transgenetical products (especially corn with 26,000 hectares).

In the Catalan government has a game like ICV (its main features is environmentalism) and they didn't do anything to prohibit it.

The Catalan Government ignores all studies recommend ban GMOs.

7. Which food has genetically modified elements

8.Labels and genetically modified food in Spain

Normally, in Europe a transgenic product should be written on the label. In Spain it is obligatory but in some countries like USA is not obligatory. In Spain there are transgenical products banned in the European Union but some countries in the EU will accept them.

The most common transgenical products are:- Pasta- Flour- Cereals (Corn)- Oils- Margarine- Bread- Fruit- Vegetables- SoyThis is the percent of GM products:Soy: 85% Corn: 20% Cotton: 0,9%

9.Pictures of different labels of product