World Health Organization

World Health Organization

Topic: B

Genetically Modified Organism

Submitted by: Argentine Republic

Committee: WHO

Topic B: Genetically Modified Organisms

Delegates: Aadit Patel and Chris Jin, Orange High School

Recently there has been a huge issue on the use of genetic engineering in order alter organisms to better fit human needs and demands. Most of these genetically modified organisms are plants and crops. There are many problems with these altered crops. First, it causes allergenicity as many of these organisms are engineered through the use of dna from commonly allergenic organisms. Second, gene transfers creates the risk of antibiotic resistance genes getting transferred to bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Lastly outcrossing, which is were genetically modified crop’s genes get migrated into conventional crops and wild species.

The Argentine Republic is the thirds largest grower of genetically modified crops. Since its introduction in Argentina, it has greatly improved our economy and created over 1.8 million jobs. The Argentine government is regulating the production of genetically modified crops through the general law on seeds Phytogenetic Creations, and the law on the Promotion of the Development and Production of Modern Biotechnology. These laws are intended to promote the efficient production and marketing of these crops by assuring farmers of the quality of the seeds they are acquiring and also protecting the property of biogenetical innovations.

The Argentine Republic encourages the use and increased research of genetic modified organisms to improve the quality of products in order to boost countries economies. Still, due to all the risk factors involved with genetic engineering, the Argentine Republic would like UN to create proper standards and regulate bioengineering to ensure safety to human health throughout the world.

Genetically Modified Organisms In Azerbaijan

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a bacteria, yeast, insect, plant, fish, or mammal whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering. Azerbaijan is a relatively small country located in the Middle East. Azerbaijan has taken as stand against genetically modified organisms and attempts to prevent the importation and production of GMO’s within its borders.

The soil-rich Azerbaijan has 9 of the 11 existing climate zones, and has a right to be GMO free. Azerbaijan has joined a number of international environmental conventions to stop GMO’s involvement into the market, but modified products are still spread throughout the country. In Azerbaijan there are no specific laws on genetically modified organisms, so those who sell them are not penalized. Member of Parliament, Head of the Research Institute on Human Rights, Ayten Mustafayeva states that, "It is difficult to prevent the import of products containing GMOs, but we must do it. Residents should know whether the products they purchase contain GMOs or not. Information about products that contain GMOs must be showed on the label. Over time, we will completely prevent the importation of such products to Azerbaijan,".

According to the head of the Azerbaijani Free Consumers Union Eyyub Huseynov, approximately 95% of the tomatoes, 95% of the watermelons and 40% of the potatoes are genetically modified. About 98% of the soya beans, which are widely used in food and cosmetic industries, contain genetically modified organisms too. "Scientists have not fully examined the effects of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in human health. However, experiments in animals have shown to have a negative impact of GM foods, said Eyyub Huseynov. He also pointed out that the use of GMO in the country should be banned immediately. “It is necessary to restrict access to the domestic market of GMO or prevent its occurrence in Azerbaijan until it can be proven that genetically modified products are safe."

A possible solution to the GMO issue would be the outlawing of GMO’s. Stricter sanctions could be placed upon imported foods as well. Also, more random studies of foods that are often modified should be conducted. If GMO’s were to be outlawed, this would upset those that produce and sell genetically modified organisms and food. A tax on GMO’s could also be an option. To reach a compromise, businesses that sell GMO’s should be forced to present a notice to the customer before they buy any products. Then, randomized food testing could study the contents of supposedly genetically modified food. If an institution sold items that tested positive for genetically modified organisms without posting a notice, then they would be punished by legislative law. This system would cut down on the amount of GMO’s sold to the public without the people knowing. Also, this would please both the business that sell GMO’s in Azerbaijan and those that dislike GMO’s being sold to the public.

Submitted By: Bulgaria

Committee: World Health Organization

Topic B: Genetically Modified Organisms

Delegate: Kaitlyn Tillman

In the past years human kind has made strides in mapping the genome of several plant species. Some countries in the European Union and else where are embracing these genetically modified crops, sowing them on their farms. Bulgaria is not, however, embracing genetically modified items in our food supply. Bulgaria is standing by our decision, as a people to ban Genetically Modified (GM) crops.

Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are an important step in the gathering of knowledge. These are strides toward discovering the key to helping people who are stricken with genetic disorders. The current applications are not appropriate for the global community. These plants evolved this way for a reason, changing the genome may have unintended consequences, for the crops and us. We evolved eating these crops in their natural state. The genetic engineers have not stated how the people’s bodies’ will react to GM crops in their systems.

Furthermore our Agriculture Minister Prof. Dimitar Grekov has stated that the local varieties are adapted to the climate and soil conditions and have a high ecological plasticity, a broad genetic base and also have a very good set of cultivation and uses. He also said, “Local varieties are a valuable source of genetic variability.” In this way the GM varieties of crops, in this specific case maize, are unnecessary. Local varieties are better adapted to the areas they populate and provide genetic variety for those regions.

For these reasons it is Bulgaria’s belief that the rest of Europe should join us and other countries such as Italy, Poland, and Switzerland in banning GMO’s from our food supply. There is no need for them, and we could be poisoning our people with out even knowing it.

Submitted by: China

Committee: World Health Organization

Topic B: Genetically Modified Organisms

Delegate: Kirby Copper

An experiment was conducted on 5 random packs of seeds from 5 different farmers. They were tested for genetically modified organisms (which will be further referred to as GMOs). Three packs tested positive. China would not be so concerned if the packs didn’t contain traces of glysophate, which is the active ingredient in weed killers, and kills human cells. This same glysophate was found in shipments of incoming corn, which was sent back. If there aren’t enough people to work in the factories, then China will fall behind in the sales market and therefore fall back in productivity. China is the biggest producer of most products in common every day use. By allowing these traces to continue to be produces through GMOs, a majority of necessary products wouldn’t be available to people who need them. China proposes that we should, in order to keep production up, ban GMOs in all grains and oils. By banning these GMOs, we will be protecting the people that work in the factories to keep production up.

Currently, China has made genetically modified rice illegal to sell at open air markets, because the air-born glysophate has been known to infect people who have breathed it in. In the last couple months, Xi JInping, the current Chinese president, has been rejecting shipments of genetically modified corn that had glysophate residue on Its leaves. Ingesting the GMOs can also result in cancer and infertility. By ridding China of GMOs we would be creating a better and safer environment for the work force, with less of a chance of them being infected, hurt, or having their lives shattered.

China will make this solution happen by outlawing GMOs, and doing random checks on farmer’s crops for them. Money will be no issue, because China has already been producing plants without them. China simply needs to work with the un-altered seeds. Also there is money spent to genetically modify the seeds, which will no longer be necessary. These GMOs were made with the purpose of reducing the needs of pesticides and increasing the yield of the fields. This expensive alternative option did not achieve it potential of these goals. Enabling this law will save money and time. All countries that rely on their agriculture for profit share this problem. The ultimate prices, human lives, are already being paid. 1.3 billion Chinese people have been either affected or killed. Any other countries that need their work force should agree. China hopes that, with this motion, we can save the work forces of the world.

Ulson, Gunnar

May 2, 2014, http://www.globalresearch.ca/geopolitics-of-organic-food-russia-china-and-france-ban-gmos/5380228, Global research

Reuters, Stringer

August 21, 2014, http://on.rt.com/b7ombg, RT

Submitted By: Denmark

Committee: WHO

Topic B: Genetically Modified Organisms

Delegates: Reece Kendall & Lewis Allen

Denmark is happy to be a member of the World Health Organization. To be able to help make decisions on major world problems and reduce health risks for people around the world is very satisfying. One such problem is genetically modified organisms. This is a topic that has stirred much debate. Denmark has decided to no longer cultivate genetically modified organisms. These genetically altered foods have not been tested enough to make sure that they are safe. They could cause kidney damage and liver failure. Lab rats have grown huge tumors and had many organs damaged. Other recorded symptoms include allergic reactions, endocrine and reproductive system problems, more aging symptoms, and antibiotic resistance. Also, the company Monsanto has lied many times about certain aspects of genetically modified organisms. A company with such a checkered past should not be trusted to tamper with foods that will be eaten. Foods that are genetically modified do not even have to be labeled as GMOs.

Monsanto only sells genetically modified corn to three European countries. The big problem with genetically modified organisms is that we don’t know what their consequences, if any, will be down the road. GMO’s simply haven’t been around long enough to know what their true long-term effect will be. GMO’s are allowed to be distributed and sold across the world without being labeled as genetically modified organisms. People are eating potentially harmful food without even knowing it. Genetically modified organisms need to be taken off the market until their true effects are known. If eaten frequently, many people could die from unsafe genetically modified organisms. In the future, if genetically modified foods are known to be not threatening, Denmark could use them again. Europe is making the right decision to not, for the most part, buy and sell genetically modified organisms. The world needs to work together to make agreements on the possible usage of genetically modified organisms. These foods are not safe enough to be eaten, and should not be available for sale until they are confirmed to be safe.

References

This is the end of GM crops in Denmark | Coalition of States for GMO Labeling. (2013, May 31). Retrieved from http://righttoknow-gmo.org/news/end-gm-crops-denmark

Committee: World Health Organization (WHO)

Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms
Country: Ecuador

Name/School: Allie Spensley, Avon Lake High School

As modern technological advancements coincide with an escalating strain on the global food supply, both the prevalence and criticisms of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have increased tremendously. The United Nations defines GMOs as “organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally.” The development of GMOs—usually grains or crops, as opposed to organisms—is widespread, with 18 million farmers worldwide using GM plants (Compass). Their benefits include higher agricultural and storage efficiency, and restricting the donation or use of GMOs to and within penurious countries can have ”severe and immediate consequences of limiting the food aid available for millions so desperately in need” (UNFAO). Conversely, GMOs can have adverse environmental effects by increasing the need for herbicides and contaminating organic species; GMO technology is also not considered an effective anti-hunger strategy because it “does not benefit small and subsistence farmers, and it is these farmers that provide 70% of the world’s food” (IAASTD). In fact, the chief actor in support of GMOs is the United States, a developed country, while needy countries such as Zimbabwe have rejected GMOs as technologically and environmentally unfeasible. Past UN documents regarding GMOs includes the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003), regulating GMO trade and creating a system of “risk assessment” for their ecological hazards.

Ecuador is currently a non-GMO nation, free of transgenic crops and seeds as per Article 401 of its 2008 Constitution, approved by 64% of Ecuadorian voters in a referendum on the topic. The Constitution states that the introduction of any organism that “can alter the national genetic heritage in a definitive way is prohibited.” Past action taken by Ecuador regarding GMOs includes its 2006 Food and Nutrition Security Law, advocating “prohibitions on the use, handling, trade or importation” of GMOs. Jose Graziano da Silva, director of the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), stated that the organization aims “to ensure that proper security measures related to environment contamination are taken” before GMOs are introduced to new areas. Silva also disclosed that the FAO believes disadvantaged countries “don’t need [GMOs] now to eradicate hunger”, referring to the fact that inexpensive agro-ecological approaches—such as developing organic matter in soil in drought situations—are more effective strategies for subsistence farmers than the costly herbicides needed to sustain GMO crop growth. Nonetheless, according to FAO, “almost 150 million hectares of world crop acreage are planted with GM crops” (UNFAO).

Currently, two major problems of GMO use are the level of evaluation of their risks and their potential contamination of the food supply. A functioning strategy to deal with GMOs’ level of evaluation is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000; entered into force 2003), currently signed by 168 countries, which “aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity”. However, contamination of non-GM seeds and crops is still a widely prevalent issue; new strategies to contend with this issue include increasing the distance between GM and non-GM fields, timing planting to minimize cross-pollination, milling, heat treatment, and proper labelling of GM seeds and foods. Based on Ecuador’s current anti-GMO stance, a further step would be to ban GM crops and seeds, because they increase the use of harmful herbicides and because their health effects are not well known. Ecuador advocates widespread anti-GMO legislation, believing that the public health benefits of GMOs do not outweigh their risks— especially in developed countries.