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GMO FOODS

Get in the Know About

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WHAT IS A GMO?

A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered via the artificial mutation, insertion or deletion of genes using genetic engineering techniques

Organisms that have been modified include bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, fish and mammals

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GMO FOODS

Not the same as traditional cross-breeding Enables scientists to breach species barriers created by

nature Mainly used to make crops resistant to pesticides and

herbicides Thousands of genetic modifications are being developed

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GMO FOOD HISTORY

1982 – First GM plant (antibiotic-resistant tobacco)1987 – First Field trials (Bt tobacco)1994 – U. S. approval of first GMO food crop (FlavrSavr

tomato – fish genes injected into tomato)1995 – U.S. approval of first pesticide producing GMO food crop (Bt

Potato)1996 – U.S. approval of multiple GMO food crops1997 – Europe requires mandatory labeling of GMO foods2003 - First GMO-resistant pests appear2004 –Mendocino County, CA bans GMO cultivation2005 – Switzerland becomes first country to ban GMO crops – many

follow2011 - Study finds Bt toxins in blood of pregnant women2013 – Three states pass GMO labeling laws (CT, VT & ME)

OR governor bans GMO canola production

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PREVALENCE

165 million acres worldwide75% of processed foods contain GMO ingredients

“I can’t even find non-GMO seeds now” – WI farmer

Percent of crops that are GMO

Corn 88% Cotton 95%Canola 90%Sugar beets 95%

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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES & POLICIES

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WHY THE FUSS?

Health concerns Environmental concerns

Impact on non-GMO crops Impact on soil, water, plants and animals

Corporate servitude

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PEOPLES’ HEALTH

Infertility Immune dysregulation Accelerated aging Dysregulation of genes assoc. with

cholesterol synthesis Asthma Allergies Inflammation

AAEM

Lost nutritional value

Detailed research findings in “GMO Myths & Truths” at www.nongmoproject.org

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HEALTH CERTAINTIES

Not enough evidence either way now but who wants to be a science experiment?

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IMPACT ON NON-GMO CROPS

Airborne pollination Insect pollination Lost organic certification Import refusal from non-GMO countries

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IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Superweeds 22 states with glyphosate-resistant weeds Increased use of Round Up ( Glyphosate) causing

malformations in frog and chicken embryos Pesticide resistance

Bt-resistant rootworms in Iowa & IL Declining bee and butterfly populations Altered bacterial communities in soil Glyphosate in air and rainwater Glyphosate toxic to earthworms

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CORPORATE CONTROL

Monsanto 90% of GMO seeds 300%+ increase in seed

price over ten years Difficult to stop using

GMO seeds once started Patenting the source of

life Writing the regulations

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MONSANTO’S GOVERNMENT TIES

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GMO SALMON

Imminent FDA approval Fears of wild species extinction

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LABEL IT