Questions regarding (4.3.2) Articles about GMOs
Regarding Grist article 20 GMO questions: animal, vegetable, controversy? by Nathanael Johnson
Which sentence best describes the regulation of GMOs?
a) They are lightly regulated, and the regulation process is transparent
b) They are heavily regulated, and the regulation process is transparent
c) They are lightly regulated, and the regulation process is not transparent
d) They are heavily regulated, and the regulation process is not transparent
[True or False?] Based on a graph in the article, genetic engineering is more likely to lead to
something unexpected than conventional pollen-based breeding.
[True or False?] Based on a graph in the article, genetic engineering is more likely to lead to
something unexpected than mutation breeding, chemical mutagenesis, or ionizing radiation.
[True or False?] We do a poor job of testing genetically engineering crops for known allergens.
[True or False?] Genetically engineered crops have not reduced insecticide applications.
[True or False?] Genetically engineered crops have increased applications of the herbicide
glyphosate, but glyphosate is less toxic to humans than most herbicides.
Regarding the Grist article The GM safety dance: What’s rule and what’s real by Nathanael
Johnson
[True or False?] Corporations creating and selling genetically engineered crops are not required to
do safety testing, and at the same time, they have to do a large amount of safety testing.
[True or False?] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes safety testing of genetically
engineered crops voluntary, and this is a problem because the FDA has no authority to stop the
food made from these crops being sold.
[True or False?] Genetically engineered crops are regulated not only by the Food and Drug
Administration, but the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection
Agency as well.
[True or False?] When the FDA requests information from a company about a GMO, the company
always provides the data promptly and without resistance.
Regarding the scene from Stossel where Jeffrey Smith (anti-GMOs) debates Jayson Lusk
(pro-GMOs)
Jeffrey Smith suggested that FDA scientists did not want to approve GMOs like transgenic crops
produced by the corporation Monsanto. Why is it, then, according to Smith, that the FDA approved
of them?
a) These FDA scientists were later found to be bribed by anti-GMO interest groups like Food
Democracy Now!
b) These scientists’ opinions were outweighed by the opinions of the U.S. National Academy of
Sciences
c) The Monsanto corporation has “captured” the Food and Drug Administration and
has much influence on its decisions
d) The opinions of these scientists were soon proven wrong in a series of experiments
conducted by the University of Nebraska
[Multiple choice, multiple selection] According to Jayson Lusk, which of the following organizations
have stated that GMOs are safe?
a) U.S. National Academy of Sciences
b) American Medical Association
c) European Commission
d) World Health Organization
e) Food and Agricultural Organization
f) Prussia Commission on Food Safety
Regarding What’s a GMO?
[Multiple choice, multiple selection] When Jimmy Kimmel Live asked people what the letters G, M, and
O in “GMO stand for, how many people got the “G” and the “M” part correct (including the one
who got all letters correct)?
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
e) 4