Genetically Modified Foods

Question 1

What is a Genetically Modified Product?

Answer 1

A GM product is one that’s had it’s genes altered to give it useful characteristics

Question 2

What is an example of a GM product? How does this help production?

Answer 2

GM Maize that is pest-resistant allows farmers to produce higher yield as less of the crop is eaten or damaged by pests

Question 3

What are the 4 main advantages of Genetically Modified foods?

Answer 3

Crops can be made to grow quickly

Producers can gain a higher yield for the same amount of seed and fertilizer which makes it cheaper for the consumer

Crops can be altered to have a longer shelf life - meaning less food is wasted

Crops can be modified to ripen earlier than normal, so fresh foods can be available earlier in the year

Question 4

What are the 3 main disadvantages of Genetically Modified foods?

Answer 4

GM foods haven’t been around for long so long-term effects are unknown to researchers

Concerns about modified genes spreading into unwanted areas (i.e. weedkiller resistant spreading to a weed making it unstoppable)

GM producers can’t sell their food everywhere. For example the EU restricts the import of some GM food products