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Who should be responsible for weighing the benefits against the costs of genetically modified organisms?
Who should be responsible for weighing the benefits against the costs of genetically modified organisms?
What is one of the potential health risks associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is one of the potential health risks associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential environmental risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential environmental risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential economic risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential economic risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
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According to the provided sources, what is a potential effect of transgenic pollen on monarch larvae?
According to the provided sources, what is a potential effect of transgenic pollen on monarch larvae?
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What is a potential benefit of genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential benefit of genetically modified organisms?
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What is the main function of DNA in an organism?
What is the main function of DNA in an organism?
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What is the purpose of genetic modification in organisms?
What is the purpose of genetic modification in organisms?
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What is an example of a genetically modified food?
What is an example of a genetically modified food?
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What is the role of restriction enzymes in genetic modification?
What is the role of restriction enzymes in genetic modification?
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What is the purpose of using a particle gun in genetic modification?
What is the purpose of using a particle gun in genetic modification?
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What is the name of the bacterium that produces a chemical toxic to insects but not to humans?
What is the name of the bacterium that produces a chemical toxic to insects but not to humans?
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What is the term used to describe the process of modifying genes?
What is the term used to describe the process of modifying genes?
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What is the purpose of using Agrobacterium in genetic modification?
What is the purpose of using Agrobacterium in genetic modification?
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What is the total number of foods approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency?
What is the total number of foods approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency?
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What is the condition under which labeling of GM foods is mandatory?
What is the condition under which labeling of GM foods is mandatory?
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Which of the following is a potential environmental benefit of GMOs?
Which of the following is a potential environmental benefit of GMOs?
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What is an example of a humanitarian benefit of GMOs?
What is an example of a humanitarian benefit of GMOs?
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Which of the following crops has been approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency?
Which of the following crops has been approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency?
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What is a potential benefit of GMOs in terms of food production?
What is a potential benefit of GMOs in terms of food production?
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What is a potential benefit of GMOs in terms of farming?
What is a potential benefit of GMOs in terms of farming?
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What is the website where details can be found about GMOs in Canada?
What is the website where details can be found about GMOs in Canada?
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What is a potential environmental hazard associated with genetically modified Bt corn?
What is a potential environmental hazard associated with genetically modified Bt corn?
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What is a potential solution to prevent gene transfer to non-target species?
What is a potential solution to prevent gene transfer to non-target species?
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What is a potential human health risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
What is a potential human health risk associated with genetically modified organisms?
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What is a potential economic hazard associated with genetically modified seeds?
What is a potential economic hazard associated with genetically modified seeds?
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What is a characteristic of 'suicide seeds'?
What is a characteristic of 'suicide seeds'?
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Why is it challenging to identify potential health risks associated with genetically modified organisms?
Why is it challenging to identify potential health risks associated with genetically modified organisms?
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What is a potential solution to address the issue of 'superweeds'?
What is a potential solution to address the issue of 'superweeds'?
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What is the main factor in determining whether genetically modified foods are good or bad?
What is the main factor in determining whether genetically modified foods are good or bad?
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Study Notes
What are Genetically Modified Foods?
- Genetically modified foods, also called genetically modified organisms (GMOs), involve the insertion of DNA from one organism into another or modification of an organism's DNA to achieve a desired trait.
Examples of GMOs
- Golden rice: contains beta-carotene (Vitamin A), not found in regular rice.
- Bt corn: contains a chemical normally found in a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is toxic to insects but not to humans.
- Herbicide-resistant plants.
How are Genes Modified?
- Restriction enzymes are used to "cut" DNA segments from one genome.
- DNA ligases are used to "paste" them into another genome.
How are Animals and Plants Targeted?
- Microinjection method: injects a solution of DNA into a developing embryo.
- Agrobacterium: used to infect plants with a gene of interest.
- Particle gun: shoots small bits of metal coated with the gene into the plant.
How Common are GM Foods?
- 48 foods have been approved for use by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
- Examples: corn, canola, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, soybeans, and more.
- Labeling of GM foods is not mandatory unless there is a health or safety concern.
Potential Benefits
- Pest resistance
- Herbicide resistance
- Cold tolerance
- Drought tolerance
- Increased nutrition
- Edible vaccines
- Reduced use of herbicides and chemicals in farming.
Potential Environmental Hazards
- Reduced effectiveness of pesticides as insects become resistant to engineered toxins.
- Harm to other organisms (e.g., monarch butterfly larvae).
- Gene transfer to non-target species.
- Loss of biodiversity.
Potential Human Health Risks
- Allergens
- Unknown health risks due to interactions between biological processes.
Economic Hazards
- Elimination of competition
- Suicide seeds
- Dependence on companies for seeds.
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Take this quiz to learn more about genetically modified foods, DNA, and genes. What do you really know about GMOs?