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Bioethics

Introduction & Report

Genetically Modified Food & Labeling

Case Study 1: Would you prefer GM food or Non-GM food?

Suppose you are going to buy some tomatoes for making salad. Please click the one you would buy?

GM-Free Tomato

Benefits of GM-free tomato

1. Lower cost
2. Natural food

Risks of GM-free tomato

1. Shorter storage time
2. Lower quality

Will you consider GM tomato?

Benefits of GM tomato

1. Longer storage time
2. Improved quality (better texture)

Risks of GM tomato

1. Higher cost
2. May posses health risk

Will you consider GM-free tomato?

GM Tomato

Pros and Cons of GM-Food

Possible Benefits of GM Food	Possible Risks of GM Food
Longer storage time	Harmful effect from the new genetic materials may be irreversible
Improved quality (texture, nutrient contents)	Long term health risks
No short term health risks	Trigger new allergic reaction
Better appearance	Affect antibiotic treatment
Insect resistant	Alter nutritional value
Environmental stress tolerance (drought, wet, salinity)	Endanger the other species
herbicide & pesticide to tolerance	Higher cost
Improve & solve the food supply	Decrease the biodiversity in the ecosystem

Case Study 2: Would you prefer labelling GM-food?

Would you like to see a label on this GM tomato when you buy it?

Yes, l would like to	No, l wouldn't
lf there is a label on the GM tomato:	If there is no label on the GM tomato:
You can know the GM information of the tomato	You need not spend any time on choosing GM or non-GM tomato
You can choice to buy it or not	You need not spend any time on choosing GM or non-GM tomato
You have more confidence on the food you consumed	You don't have to worry about any risk after consuming
You can predict any risk to your health
As you chose the GM tomato yourself, you will be responsible for any risk bearing.	As you choose the GM tomato under uninformed condition, producer will be responsible for any risk to your health.

GM Food Labelling System

Do you know which countries have a labelling system for GM foods?

Countries with GM Food Labelling System in practice

Australia, Austria, Belgium, china, Denmark, Finlance, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden Switzerland, United Kingdom & USA

Countries will Implement GM Food Labelling System

Brazil, Japan, Russia & South Korea

Questions for Classroom Discussion

What is your opinion on the following controversial issues about genetically modified food and labelling ?

1. As a consumer, do you prefer GM food or natural food?

2. Do you have confidence on the safety of GM food?

3. Do you think that GM food will cause any effect on your health?

4. Is it necessary to have labels on GM food informing you the details of the ingredients?

5. Scientists think that GM food can improve the living standard and solve the problem of storage of food. Do you agree?

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