APES: GMOs

GMOs

crops that carry new traits that have been inserted through advanced genetic engineering methods

Herbicides

Chemicals that kill plants

Insecticide

a chemical used to kill insects

Pesticide

substance that kills rats, insects, bacteria, etc. (used as a catch all term)

USDA Organic

strict guidelines limiting the use of pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, irradiation, genetic engineering

Glyphosate

a broad-spectrum herbicide; it is the active ingredient in Roundup

common GMOs

corn, soy, cotton,

Golden Rice

a genetically modified variety of rice containing large amounts of the orange or red plant pigment betacarotene, a substance important in the human diet as a precursor of vitamin A.

Bt corn

is a genetically modified crop (GMO) that is engineered to be resistant to pests using a soil bacterium

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

An alternative to GMOs; An agricultural practice that uses a variety of techniques designed to minimize pesticide inputs

terminator gene

a genetically modified crop that has a gene to cause the plant to become sterile after the first year

Health impacts of Glyphosate

Digestive issues, developmental and reproductive issues, sunburn faster

Economic Impacts of GMOs

Increased costs to farmers to purchase seeds annually;
increased litigation/lawyer costs for patent infringement;
increased health care costs due to glyphosate exposure