2 farmers, 2 views of Genetically Modified Foods Reading Comprehension 1. Legal Notices | Canola seed meal can also be used in food for animals. The crops produced in this way are called GMO crops. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Foods that are bioengineered and products that contain bioengineered foods must carry a specific label. Amazon Kunde. Both beet and cane sugar are found in many foods, including sweets and sodas. The written task is about cloning. 250-472-4747 The AquAdvantage Salmon has been genetically modified to reach an important growth point faster. Future GM organisms are likely to include plants with improved resistance against plant disease or drought, crops with increased nutrient levels, fish species with enhanced growth characteristics. The disputes involve consumers, farmers, biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, non-governmental organizations, and . Why? Skill 1.C: Explain biological concepts in applied contexts. Genetically modified . Technological modification of food and food production may evoke a negative response among consumers, especially in the absence of sound risk communication on risk assessment efforts and cost/benefit evaluations. Circa 8000 BCE: Humans use traditional modification methods like selective breeding and cross-breeding to breed plants and animals with more desirable traits. Scientists transfer new DNA into plant cells. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? (2016). On issues such as labelling and traceability of GM foods as a way to address consumer preferences, there is no worldwide consensus to date. . Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The 10 genetically modified crops available in the United States are corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes, squash, papaya, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, and apples. Medicines developed through genetic engineering go through an in-depth FDA approval process. soybeans increased oleic acid) have been also studied recently. Students will learn how President Bill Clinton signed a welfare bill to reform a program created as part of the New Deal in 1935; and how the bill has reshaped the relationship between poor Americans and the government. GMO foods are easier and less costly for farmers to grow, which makes them cheaper for the consumer. Should national authorities decide to conduct safety assessment of GM organisms, WHO recommends the use of Codex Alimentarius guidelines (See the answer to Question 11 below). It kills all the weeds in the field, but the GMO crops survive. Genetic modification significantly accelerates this process by using scientific techniques that give the plant the specific desired trait. Scientists have not yet shown that GMO foods are harmful to health, but research is ongoing. Language goals Grammar practice General grammar practice Reading comprehension Reading for detail (deep reading) Writing practice While genetically-engineered foods are labelled in Europe, they are not required to be labelled in this country. How GMOs can help solve climate change. Consumers with less education and higher income were more likely to underestimate their knowledge. In the decades since the first genetically modified foods reached the market, no adverse health . In view of the dynamics of the debate on GM foods, legislation is likely to continue to evolve. Moreover, this could make them safer than other foods, which do not undergo testing. The WHO Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses aims at assisting national authorities in the identification of foods that should be subject to risk assessment and to recommend appropriate approaches to safety assessment. They did not have evidence to confirm this and called for further studies. Agricultural Biotechnology, Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts, Science and History of GMOs and Other Food Modification Processes, Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative, Spread the Word About Feed Your Mind: Stakeholder Toolkit, National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. 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. For example: However, the 2018 National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard states that all foods containing genetically engineered ingredients must now carry the label derived from bioengineering or bioengineered. Specific symbols show whether a food has been bioengineered. a. GMOs are now banned in Vermont. Scientists "cut and paste" a gene from another organism into a plant's DNA to give it a new characteristic. Live Worksheets How GMO crops have come to dominate agricultural production and consumption processes. The text is about the pros and cons of GM foods. Currently, there is no evidence that GMO foods cause cancer, allergies, or any other health conditions. Whole corn is high in various nutrients, especially fiber and antioxidants. All rights reserved. The tomatoes gained a lot of initial publicity but the company of bioengineers was poorly equipped to handle the business of actually selling their tomatoes, and eventually sold out to Monsanto. If Although GMOs are in a lot of the foods we eat, most of the GMO crops grown in the United States are used for animal food. Scientists can use these newer genome editing tools to make crops more nutritious, drought tolerant, and resistant to insect pests and diseases. A GMO papaya, named the Rainbow papaya, was created to resist ringspot virus. 1992: FDA policy states that foods from GMO plants must meet the same requirements, including the same safety standards, as foods derived from traditionally bred plants. A few varieties of GMO apples were developed to resist browning after being cut. A person grows plants from the new seeds. The risks will vary depending on local conditions. (2020). It comes from a naturally occurring bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiensis. Most soy grown in the United States is GMO soy. 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. Why are certain groups concerned about the growing influence of the chemical industry on agriculture? Genetically . For Bt corn, they copied the gene in Bt that would provide the insect-resistance trait. There is some concern that GMO foods may trigger an allergic reaction. Where medicines are concerned, many consumers more readily accept biotechnology as beneficial for their health (e.g. Choose the best answer for each question. Is cranberry juice really effective against urinary tract infections? We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. In the first paragraph, the author mentions a celebration. Most GMO alfalfa is resistant to herbicides, allowing farmers to spray the crops to protect them against destructive weeds that can reduce alfalfa production and lower the nutritional quality of the hay. Genetic modification can make plants resistant to disease and tolerant of herbicides, and therefore, the process can increase the amount of food that farmers can grow. This in turn can reduce food prices and contribute to food security. 1 0 obj Genetically Modified Foods Research Project (GMO's, Genetics and Agriculture) Created by. 1940: Plant breeders learn to use radiation or chemicals to randomly change an organisms DNA. Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed on from parents to offspring. One day, GM food may be able to grow in dry land in Africa. Tm kim cc cng vic lin quan n Ielts reading passage de profundis clamavi answers hoc thu ngi trn th trng vic lm freelance ln nht th gii vi hn 22 triu cng vic. Additionally, genetic modification can increase the nutritional value of foods. Additionally, with Earth's ever-increasing . GM food can stop bugs from eating it. However, research is ongoing. No prep, no formatting, no issues. Here are some of the key concerns around GMO consumption. 1866: Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, breeds two different types of peas and identifies the basic process of genetics. Students will learn how a scientific theory of nuclear winter shifted the debate over nuclear weapons in the 1980s, and how that hypothesis connects to the 21st century challenge of climate change. Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides. In fact, a 2020 study asserts that GMO technology has reduced global chemical pesticide use by 8.3% and indirectly reduced greenhouse gas emissions because farmers dont need to spray their fields as often (7). The new plants will have genetic features that make them, for example, more nutritious or resistant to pests, disease, or climate factors. Worksheets that speak. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. insects which are not pests) to the gene product; the stability of the gene; the reduction in the spectrum of other plants including loss of biodiversity; and increased use of chemicals in agriculture. Page 1 GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Eight years and some $20 million later, the California company found a way to turn off the gene that made tomatoes squishy, and the Flavr Savr was born. "GMO" (genetically modified organism) has become the common term consumers and popular media use to describe foods that have been created through genetic engineering. For example, early farmers developed cross-breeding methods to grow corn with a range of colors, sizes, and uses. Then, they find an organism (plant, animal, or microorganism) that already has that trait within its genes. By the 1990s, ringspot virus disease had nearly wiped out Hawaiis papaya crop, and in the process almost destroyed the papaya industry in Hawaii. Most GMO plants are used to make ingredients that are then used in other food products. Together, these factors help lower the costs for the farmers and consumers because it allows a greater crop yield and growth through harsher conditions. Those with genes from other organisms are called "transgenic" and represent a large number of GMOs available today, such as A study from the mid-1990s found that adding a protein from Brazil nuts to GMO soybeans could trigger an allergic reaction in people sensitive to Brazil nuts. Science Brian. In the food industry, GMO crops have had genes added to them for various reasons, such as improving their growth, nutritional content, sustainability, pest resistance, and ease of farming (2). (2020). The main concerns around GMOs involve allergies, cancer, and environmental issues all of which may affect the consumer. of nutritional food to those who need it most. To make it easier for consumers to know if the foods they eat contain GMO ingredients, the U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains a list of bioengineered foods available throughout the world. However, a growing number of weeds have developed resistance to this herbicide over time. since the first genetically engineered tomato was approved for consumers in 1994. These are the same types of proteins that organic farmers use to control insect pests, and they do not harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs. reduction in other . Level: intermediate. Reading Comprehension. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is . While cancer rates have changed over time in the U.S., there is no evidence that these changes coincide with the introduction of GMO foods. Most of the foods we eat today were created through traditional breeding methods. Genetically modified food is produced from plants which have had their genes tweaked in the lab. Next, scientists use tools to insert the gene into the DNA of the plant. There has also been concern that pollen from Bt crops may negatively impact honeybees, but there doesnt seem to be any solid evidence to support this yet (29, 30, 31). For example, rice high in beta carotene, also called golden rice, was developed to help prevent blindness in regions where local diets are chronically deficient in vitamin A (11). Human health effects of genetically engineered crops. Some GMOs contain changes that make them resistant to certain antibiotics. Simply download . The technology is often called "modern biotechnology" or "gene technology", sometimes also "recombinant DNA technology" or "genetic engineering". More than 95% of animals used for meat and dairy in the United States eat GMO crops. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. GMO foods are likely to become a crucial tool in feeding the worlds growing population, especially in areas with harsh climates. GMO Bt corn reduces the need for spraying insecticides while still preventing insect damage. If a product does not have this kind of label, it does not contain bioengineered ingredients. T. 6334 uses nguyenhongvinh Listening Listening about GM Food 221 uses 1982: FDA approves the first consumer GMO product developed through genetic engineering: human insulin to treat diabetes. Corn, also known as maize, is one of the most popular grains in the world. The EUregulated geneticallymodified crops as a novel health and environmental issue, requiring thorough review and risk assessment for each field trial and product introduction. Still, this is difficult since most foods in your supermarket are made with ingredients from GMO crops. 3 0 obj 1. Such considerations are likely to also affect the debate on GM foods. Environmental concerns include: the risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops. Age: 13-15. The site is secure. 1986: The federal government establishes the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology. The first GMO food to appear on the market was a tomato, in 1994. Countries which have legislation in place focus primarily on assessment of risks for consumer health. a negative impact on insects and other species. The DNA in the GMO food does not transfer to the animal that eats it. GMOs can be turned into products like cornstarch, corn syrup, soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, or granulated sugar. Genetic engineering is a process that involves: The following example gives a general idea of the steps it takes to create a GMO plant. Why? Researchers demonstrated that a genetically modified household plant could effectively reduce the levels of several common indoor air pollutants. In the future, genetically modified foods may help solve food and environmental problems associated with the growth of the world's population. This is a review of papaya and its health benefits. Genetic engineering is a. b. Advertise here, reading comprehension of a text on genetically modified food, inserted on the topic healthy habits, Preview: Loveteaching is from/lives in Portugal and has been a member of iSLCollective since 2011-10-17. Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate are subject to controversy because animal and test-tube studies have linked them to various diseases (24, 25, 26). Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; summarize complex concepts, processes, or information presented in a text by paraphrasing them in simpler but still accurate terms. This is because they must meet the same safety standards as other foods, and there should be no need for additional regulation. While hundreds of published reports have explored the benefits and risks of GMO foods, many people strongly believe GMOs are unsafe for human consumption. Health authorities vet all GMO and other foods for safety before manufacturers can sell them, and research is ongoing. See additional information. Codex developed principles for the human health risk analysis of GM foods in 2003. Continuous application of safety assessments based on the Codex Alimentarius principles and, where appropriate, adequate post market monitoring, should form the basis for ensuring the safety of GM foods. The GM products that are currently on the international market have all passed safety assessments conducted by national authorities. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has stated that theres no evidence to link GMO food intake to an increased or decreased risk of cancer (20). The Flavr Savr was the first commercially grown, genetically engineered food approved for sale. The text is about the pros and cons of GM foods. Continue reading the main story. What are genetically modified (GM) organisms and GM foods? WHO, together with FAO, has convened several expert consultations on the evaluation of GM foods and provided technical advice for the Codex Alimentarius Commission which was fed into the Codex Guidelines on safety assessment of GM foods. Other topics debated by consumer organizations have included allergenicity and antimicrobial resistance. The issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is an ongoing, nuanced, and highly contentious issue. Most of the currently available GMO foods are plants, such as fruit and vegetables. In addition, current research suggests that GMO foods are safe for consumption (13). For non-food use, they may include plants or animals producing pharmaceutically important proteins such as new vaccines. Consumers have questioned the validity of risk assessments, both with regard to consumer health and environmental risks, focusing in particular on long-term effects. endobj According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), GMO seeds are used to plant over 90% of all maize (corn), cotton, and soy grown in the United States, which means that many of the foods you eat likely contain GMOs (1). The Flavr Savr was the first commercially grown, genetically engineered food approved for sale. Several countries have adopted strategies to reduce mixing, including a clear separation of the fields within which GM crops and conventional crops are grown. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. This toxin is currently used as a conventional insecticide in agriculture and is safe for human consumption. It is worth noting that 99.9% of all sugar beet harvested in the U.S. is GMO, as well as over 90% of all canola, corn, soybean, and cotton. A large new meta-analysis confirms that cranberry juice is effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections in girls, women, and those at, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. 633 Third Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10017. Image 3: Food scientists use bioengineering to genetically alter a food to introduce new traits, such as drought or pest resistance. GMO cotton was created to be resistant to bollworms and helped revive the Alabama cotton industry. Similar evaluations are generally not performed for conventional foods. reading comprehension of a text on genetically modified food, inserted on the topic healthy habits. The use of GMO crops may even reduce the risk of toxicity from some substances, as farmers can avoid using pesticides that have been harmful in the past. Have GM products on the international market passed a safety assessment? What is the main reason we do not know enough about GM foods? Cases have been reported where GM crops approved for animal feed or industrial use were detected at low levels in the products intended for human consumption. The site is secure. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all foods from genetically engineered plants. Virus resistance makes plants less susceptible to diseases caused by such viruses, resulting in higher crop yields. In the FAO/WHO expert consultation in 2003, WHO and FAO have considered potential problems of the technological divide and the unbalanced distribution of benefits and risks between developed and developing countries and the problem often becomes even more acute through the existence of intellectual property rights and patenting that places an advantage on the strongholds of scientific and technological expertise. Are GMO foods good or bad for the environment? In fact, genetic engineering, which is the process used to create GMOs, was first used to make human insulin, a medicine used to treat diabetes. Report abuse. However, this study was later retracted because it was poorly designed (17, 18, 19). Corn: Corn is the most commonly grown crop in the United States, and most of it is GMO. What has WHO been doing to improve the evaluation of GM foods? 2 Available online: . How the history of GMO tomatoes demonstrates the potential benefits but also the potential for public confusion surrounding GMO agriculture. 2016: Congress passes a law requiring labeling for some foods produced through genetic engineering and uses the term bioengineered, which will start to appear on some foods. There is new evidence that glyphosate exposure may increase the relative risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma by 41% (27, 28).