Genetically Modified Foods

Can biotech foods cause allergic reactions in some people?

• Yes, but only if people eat large quantities of the biotech food.
• Yes, if the biotech food contains a gene from a food known to cause an allergic reaction.
• No. Biotech foods are hypoallergenic.
• No, because food allergies are psychological and not physical.

Biotech foods look and taste the same as traditional foods and crops. The only difference is that biotech food has:

• Fewer calories.
• The addition of specific minerals.
• One or two genes with traits that improve something about the plant.
• A better chance of surviving a frost during the growing season.

What is plant biotechnology?

• Adding chemicals to foods to preserve them.
• Making synthetic foods using artificial, manmade proteins.
• Inserting a gene with a beneficial trait into a plant cell.
• Taking immature plants and adding steroids to make them grow bigger and stronger.

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One benefit of plant biotechnology is:

• Is less expensive than traditional agricultural methods.
• Helps preserve the environment.
• Increases the income of farmers.
• Controls our nation?s obesity problem.

The United Nations is very interested in food biotechnology because it will:

• Provide foods that cure disease.
• Provide more food to feed a growing population.
• Provide a cash crop for low income nations.
• Be funded by private industry and not cost the United Nations any money.

Some countries embrace the use of biotech crops while others oppose it. Three countries that support the use of biotech crops are the United States,:

• Canada and Africa.
• Germany and France.
• Italy and Greece.
• Russia and Scotland.

What is food biotechnology?

• Adding chemicals to foods to preserve them.
• Making synthetic foods using artificial, man-made proteins.
• Inserting a gene with a beneficial trait into a plant cell.
• Taking immature plants and adding steroids to make them grow bigger and stronger.

What do we know about food biotechnology in America today?

• There are no biotech foods with FDA approval.
• Most consumers refuse to eat biotech foods.
• Many homes today use biotech foods.
• All crops today are grown using some form of genetic engineering.

In a grocery store, would one be able to tell what fruits were grown using biotechnology?

• Yes, they would have a ?genetically engineered? label.
• Yes, they would be in a special section of produce department.
• No, they are not labeled.
• No, they look different.

What was the first biotech food on the market that was ripened on the vine and could be transported without bruising?

• Cucumber
• Orange
• Tomato
• Strawberry