Risks And Concerns Of Transgenic Crop Use

Risks and Concerns of Transgenic Crop Use

Core 218 Spring 2007

The GMO Argument  Origin  Why

Scientists Can’t Win  Tactics

Origins of Controversy  Slow

Reaction of the Government to the appearance of the Mad Cow Disease  Scientists were surprised at the public reaction  Demands of the public – – –

Safe to eat Cheap to buy Available at all times

The GMO debate surfaced around 1996 and became a heated issue in 1997 - 1998

By 1999, the debate had become one of the hottest issue in the news.

The Controversy Has Continued

Run by professionals Personal health and safety concerns Attractive to the media

The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

 

           

Luddites - scientifically ill-informed, irrational, emotionally overwrought, or even subversive

Tactics Enlist

public sympathy Use the media, speak in common terms Children Symbolism Use your creativity

Enlist public sympathy

Effectively use the media

“Genetic engineering is about scientists altering the 'recipes' for making life - the genes which you find in all living things. Doing this is very clever and could be very useful. But it's all happening much too fast and nobody knows what the effects of making and eating such living things will be. Many kinds of life could be damaged. And suppose people eat 'genetic' food for many years? Will they be harmed by it? Nobody knows for sure. So why the rush? Scroll down to find out more…” http://www.oneworld.net/penguin/genetics/home.html

Have Involved Children EDGE – Ending Destructive Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering: A Guide for Kids - Guide features Tiki the Penguin's explanations of the potential dangers involved with GMOs and information on how kids can protest. ( http://tiki.oneworld.net/genetics/hom )

Why Scientist Can Never Win a GMO Argument  Why

was there concern over GMO foods but not other products like insulin, cheese, vinegar.  You can’t recall an accidental spread of a GMO.  All scientists don’t agree that GMO’s are 100% safe.

Why Scientist Can Never Win a GMO Argument Rule

of Caution: Assume not safe until proven otherwise. Freedom of choice. Are there alternatives? The GMO argument is a personal argument, it is what we and our children are eating.

Discussion Questions 1. Are GMO crops safe to eat? 2. Will GMO crops hurt small farmers? 3. Will GMO crops hurt the environment?

Discussion Questions 4. 5. 6.

Are GMO crops going against nature? Are big businesses investing GMO crops solely for the profit? Is there sufficient oversight and regulation of GMO crops?