2. Genetically modified foods are foods derived
from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified
organisms have had specific changes introduced into their
DNA by genetic engineering techniques, that are more
precise than mutagenesis where an organism is exposed to
radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable
change.
3. GMO’s are a serious threat to biodiversity and are
irreversible and unpredictable effects on ecosystems.
Genetically modified foods involve a
increased use of toxics, genetic
pollution and soil, loss of
biodiversity, development of
resistance in insects and vegetation
adventitia ("Weeds") and unwanted
effects on other organisms.
Present a risk to health and
agriculture.
4. ADVANTAGES OF GENETICALLY More capable of thriving in
MODIFIED FOODS regions with poor soil or adverse
climates.
GM crops are more More environment friendly as
productive and have a larger they require less herbicides and
yield. pesticides.
Foods are more resistant and
Offer more nutritional value stay ripe for longer so they can
and better flavor. be shipped long distances or
kept on shop shelves for longer
A possibility that they could periods.
eliminate allergy-causing
properties in some foods. As more GM crops can be grown
on relatively small parcels of
Inbuilt resistance to pests, land, GM crops are an answer to
weeds and disease. feeding growing world
populations.
5. The five applications are approved GMO potato cultivation
of cash crops, the use of the potato starch as feed, and the
marketing of three types of GM maize may not yet be gro
It is alarming to note that while these large
multinationals are enriched concentrating agricultural
production, millions of people lose the historical legacy
of its natural environment and see their
livelihoods disappear. Yet people continue eating products
that contain chemicals or have been genetically modified
on European ground.
6. Resistance to droughts and extreme temperatures
Increases in fixation of nitrate geno
Resistance an acids grounds and /or saline grounds
Herbicide resistance (allowing kill weeds without
affecting crop) improvements ·
Nutritional quality modifications for early harvests more
improved postharvest handling ·
7. Since April 2004, there is
a new European law that
requires labeling of
products derived from GM
crops for the presence of
DNA or protein
"transgenic". Thus, any food
containing GMOs or
derivatives must declare on
the label.
8. Catalonia is the
second European country where
more GMOs are grown in
Europe, for example corn, with
26,000 hectares.
The Catalan
government ignores all
studies recommend ban GMOs.
This view is also shared from Green
-peace. In fact, from the NGO says
it is a shame that the
government in Catalonia itself
progressive.
In Spain, the CIS barometer
of September 2006 revealed
that the
OMG were the main concern of the
Spanish in relation to food
