Genetically Modified Foods

Tolulope Awolusi, Alicia Brown, Jamesa Hogges, Brittny Thomas

ENVH 7234 Term Project Presentation
Fall 2014

Outline
I. Introduction
II.Exposure scenarios and adverse health
effects associated with GMOs
III.PH Implications
IV.Grant Proposal
V. Summary

What are GMOs/GMFs?

Through the use of
recombinant DNA
technology, organisms
genetic material can be
altered and transferred from
one organism to another
(Schepker, 2012). This
process yields genetically
modified organisms (GMOs).
http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/nhpr/files/201211/EarthTalkPro
position37California.JPG

1972: Recombinant DNA Created

1980: First GMO Patent Issued
1982: FDA Approved First GMO
o Humulin
1994: GMO Introduced in
Commercial Market
o Flavr Savr tomato
1999: GMOs Adopted Worldwide

Why are GMFs made?

How GMFs are made?

Current & Potential Use

Current Use
Agricultural Plants
Animals
Bovine somatotropin

Potential Use
Clean fuel producers &
biodegraders
Pharmaceutical
Products
(drugs,Vaccines &
commercially available
protein)
Medical care

Humans
Two main areas of concern is antibiotic resistance and allergenicity
Allergenicity

Immune system falsely identifies allergens as a xenobiotic and induce allergic response
Foreign genes in GM crops may create a new allergen or cause an allergic response in
susceptible individuals.
o Ex: the decrease in glutelin levels in rice has been associated with an increase in
levels prolamins.

Humans
Two main areas of concern is antibiotic resistance and allergenicity
Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotics are gradually losing their medical effectiveness due to the increasing number
of diseases that are becoming resistant

If bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes were to cause an infection, it would be

very difficult for doctors to treat using traditional antibiotics.

Animals
Little research
GM corn MON 863
hepatorenal
toxicities
GM corn MON 863,
MON 810, and NK 603
Tests with soybeans and
rice
-rice, no effects

Environment
Advantages

Disadvantages

Reduced cost
Monitor and remediate
environmental factors
i.e. pollution
Reduce toxic chemicals
in the environment
Biopharmaceuticals

Pest resistance
Affect nontarget species
and the environment
Impact of biodiversity
Increase in invasiveness
and weediness of crop
plants

Labeling
Not required in the U.S.
California-Proposition
37
Opposing associations:
Natural Products
Association (NPA) and
Council for Responsible
Nutrition (CRN)
Proposition 37-failed

Use in Other Countries

Bt cotton (Bacillus
thuringiensis)
o economic growth,
employment, poverty
reduction
o decreased use of
pesticides

Golden rice
Vitamin A deficiency
visual problems,
other diseases
Disadvantage-cost

Regulations & Controversies

Regulations

Controversies

Case-by-case approach
to risk assessment
(FDA/ EPA)
Authorization permit for
environmental release of
GMOs (APHIS)
Labelling (Not to be
imposed-FDA/USDA)

Philosophical &
Religious concerns
Unintended Impacts on
other species: Bt Corn
controversy
Unintended economic
consequences

Regulations & Controversies

Controversies
Ethical reasons

Public Health Implication

Public Awareness
According to a survey conducted by The Food Policy Institute (FPI) in 2002,
awareness of GM food consumption is currently low in the United States.
54% of American consumers said they had heard "not much" or
"nothing" about genetically modified foods.
Only 26% of Americans believe that they have ever eaten a genetically
modified foods
Only about half of Americans (52 %) are aware that genetically modified
food products are currently for sale in supermarkets

Public Health Implication

How do we avoid GMOs?
Buy organic products
Buy products that are labeled
non-GMO
Avoid at-risk ingredients
Buy products listed on a nonGMO Shopping Guide
Visit: www. NonGMOShoppingGuide.com

Conclusion
GMOs have led to reductions in food insecurity.
Integrated pest management, organic farming,
and other improved farming practices may
increase yield just as effectively as would
transgenic organisms.
There should not be promotion of GMOs until
more research has been done on long term
effects.

Grant Proposal

Title of the Proposed Project: Genetically Modified Foods

Potential Funding Source:

o National Institute of Health (NIH)
o Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
o U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
o Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
o Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS)

Project Summary: The purpose of this proposal is to assess the advantages and
disadvantages of GMOs and how they can potentially affect human health and the
environment.

Statement of Need: Funding for GMOs is necessary because of current concerns

regarding their unknown long-term effects on living organisms and the
environment.

Grant Proposal Continued

Specific Aims: Throughout this project, studies will be conducted on humans to

determine whether GMOs exposure adversely affects human health.

Significance: We anticipate that this project would be significant due to the need
to uncover the benefits and disadvantages revealed in current research as well as
what remains unknown. GMOs can be viewed positively because they can potentially
eliminate food insecurity but they can also be viewed negatively because of the
potential harm they may cause regarding biodiversity and living organisms. This
proposal with help to raise awareness to the field of public health because GMO
usage is increasing and the field of research is constantly progressing.

Grant Proposal Continued

Approach

Grant Proposal Continued

Management Scheme
o Researchers
o Subjects/Participants for the study
o Farmers who cultivate GM crops and organic crops
o Lobbyists to report research regarding health effects--ie. Proposition 37

Overall Impact Statement: Benefits of conducting this research on GMOs will give the
public knowledge about the potential proposal health effects that may occur due to exposure
over the ten-year period.

Sustainability Measures: Although the project is set for a ten-year study, we would like to
continue this research for longer if possible.
o

Why?

increase knowledge of potential health effects from long term exposure to GMOs

to evaluate new transgenic genes that may be developed in the future

it is possible that more grants will have to be applied for

getting consumers, trade associations, and possibly policymakers involved can help
generate money for this research

Grant Proposal Continued

Evaluation Plan
Evaluations would be given biannually to monitor the progress of the proposed program as
well as subject participation
Budget & Justification Plan
Items

Annual
Cost

Total Cost
(10 years)

Laboratory
Testing

$12,000

$120,000

Researchers (3)

$105,000

$1,050,00
0

Subject
Incentives

$2,000

$20,000

$65,700
$127,750

$657,000
$1,277,50

Food:
GM crops
Organic

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Questions?