Genetic Modification


Video links:

Biotechnology Expert; Luciana Di Cero: GM crops are among the most studied and reviewed food crops in the world. Dr. Luciana Di Ciero — a scientific researcher in the Forest Genetic Research and Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo — describes the process used to test and evaluate plant biotechnology traits, and shares her confidence in the safety of genetically modified foods and crops. She believes the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture will benefit her health, her daughters' health, and the health of the environment.

Biotechnology Expert; Dr. Klaus Ammann, Botanist: A little more than 10 percent of the available land on the planet today is arable and permanent cropland -- challenging farmers worldwide to produce more food for a growing population, while minimizing the effect on biodiversity. Swiss Botanist Dr. Klaus Ammann, former director of the Botanical Garden and an Honorary Professor Emeritus at the University of Bern, discusses the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture and explains why genetically modified (GM) crops are good for the environment, enabling farmers to adopt practices that benefit biodiversity.

Argentina - Overview of the Impact of Plant Biotech: Farmers in Argentina generate US$9.0 billion in gross revenues from sales of genetically modified (GMO) crops to processors and consumers each year. They have rapidly adopted GMO crops such as soybeans, cotton and corn since their introduction in 1996. The use of GMO varieties reached 98 percent of soybeans planted in 2004 and tripled the use minimum-tillage practices, greatly reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions. Between 1996-2004, farmers in Argentina boosted their net farm income by US$10.1 billion growing GMO crops.

GMO Foods Allow Reduced Plowing of Soil: Four experts and seven farmers discuss how biotech crops help farmers globally eliminate plowing or tilling the soil -- thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, erosion and fuel use.

US Farmer Paul Aasness; Genetically Modified Corn Grower: A soybean and wheat grower, explains how GM crops have significantly reduced pesticide spraying and increased beneficial insect and wildlife populations on his farm.

GMO containment?: The CBC's national news takes a look at how gm crops are being monitored in Canada

GMO Rice in Kansas: Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Rice with Human DNA - planting plans in Kansas, Spring 2007 - Lee Quaintance farms in Edgerton, Kansas - member grower, Kansas City Food Circle

Genetically Modified Foods Safe: Renowned experts and farmers worldwide discuss the safety of genetically modified crops & foods - expressing confidence in rigorous science-based regulatory and non-regulatory assessments.

Franken Foods!: The crazy story about genetically modified foods... and what it means for your health. For more information, please visit: http://www.thebestdayever.com

Overview of the Worldwide Impact of Plant Biotechnology: Farmers from 8 countries share personal experiences about the specific benefits plant biotechnology has delivered to their farming operations, families, communities and the environment.

India - Overview of the Impact of Plant Biotech: Three Indian farmers -- Pawar, Patil and Pandit -- describe how increased yield from GM corn and cotton crops have brought increased income and greater success to their farms and families.

Biotechnology Expert; Graham Brookes, Agricultural Economist: Graham Brookes, an agricultural economist and director of UK-based PG Economics, discusses the magnitude of the economic and environmental benefits of biotechnology in agriculture since 1996 -- specifically citing a reduction in pesticide applications of 172,000 metric tons across four main biotech crops, an increase in global farm income of US$28 billion, and a reduction in greenhouse gases of 10 million metric tons.

South Africa - Overview of the Impact of Plant Biotech: South African farmers grow more than 1.2 million acres (500,000 hectares) of genetically modified (GM) corn, soybeans and cotton. Plantings of biotechnology in Africa have significantly increased each year. Farmers have increased their incomes by US$56 million and reduced pesticide applications by 330,000 pounds (150,000 kg) between commercial-scale introduction in 1997 and 2004. Small resource-poor farmers from the Makhatini Flats region of KwaZulu Natal — many with less than 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of land — have been able to rapidly adopt GM cotton and enjoy the same benefits of genetic engineering of food and crops as farmers in developed countries.

USA - Overview of the Impact of Plant Biotech: Four farmers, Hardwick, Skogen, Wanzek and Wassenaar, describe how GM helps society and the environment by increasing food production and reducing tillage, pesticide and fuel consumption.

Genetically Modified Organisms - unnatural selection: A European documentary reveals several harsh consequences of genetic engineering worldwide. A failed GM cotton crop prompts farmer suicides in India. Windborne GM canola contaminates organic and conventional farms in Canada. One farmer fights Monsanto in the Supreme Court. A company seeks approval for giant GM salmon that may threaten the survival of the natural species. GM pigs are born with ghastly mutations. And experts reveal how inadequate testing and regulations put us at risk. It features Vandana Shiva, Andrew Kimbrell, Percy Schmeiser and others. www.seedsofdeception.com

Biotechnology Expert; Norman Borlaug, Nobel Laureate, USA: Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Laureate and leader of the Green Revolution, shares his views on the benefits and safety of genetically modified crops to increase food production while preserving the environment.

Australia - Overview of the Impact of Plant Biotech: Three Australian farmers, Newell, Tuck and Turner, describe how reduced chemical spraying and the simplicity of GM crops benefit the environment, their communities, families and farms.

Contaminated: Despite the highly publicized battle over genetically engineered food, many people are still unaware that many of the products they consume on a daily basis are GM. In Contaminated, Fritjof Capra, Paul Hawken and Vandana Shiva explain the evolution of the new biotech agribusiness and its potential dangers to the sustainability of the global food supply.

Recombinant DNA: Primer shows how restriction enzymes are used to create recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA: A 3D animation illustrating the process by which a protein is mass-produced using spliced DNA and bacterial replication.

No Escape for GM Pollen?: Critics of genetically modified (GM) crops worry that herbicide resistance genes could be transferred to wild plants in pollen blown from a field of GM plants. Now researchers have shown that GM genes carried in maternally inherited chloroplasts are rarely transferred through pollen to other plants.

BAD SEED: The Truth About Our Food: UFOTV is the worlds largest library of Exotic Science and Suppressed History films. Topics include UFOs & Aliens, Conspiracy & Science, Mind & Spirit. The documentary exposes a vast conspiracy to contaminate and control the world's food supply through genetic engineering of food crops. Leading scientists and activists present the facts that you need to know about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The methods used to genetically engineer plants are imprecise and extremely dangerous. Eighty percent of food sold in North America already has ingredients made of GMOs that have not been adequately tested for safety. This program presents all the facts about this alarming controversy and features the most credible bio tech / agriculture authorities in the world today.


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