《GMF_转基因食品的利与弊_英文课件2.pptVIP

GMF Harmful Or helpful Questions about GM foods Q1. What are genetically modified (GM) organisms and GM foods? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant1 DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species. Such methods are used to create GM plants—which are then used to grow GM food crops. What is Genetic Engineering? Genetic?engineering?is?defined?as?a?set?of?technologies?that?are?used?to?change?the?genetic?makeup?of?cells?and?move?the?genes?from?one?species?to?another?to?produce?new?organisms. Q2. Why are GM foods produced? GM foods are developed—and marketed—because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, greater benefit (in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. The initial objective for developing plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection. Q3. Are GM foods safe? Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods. GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. The Debate over GM foods These are some of the benefits promised by biotechnology. 1. Rice with built-in Vitamin A that can help prevent blindness in 100 million childre