Societal Impact
GMOs have a very significant impact on developing countries, largely because of their wide ranging benefits. These include being able to withstand extreme climate changes, helping farmers keep up with the demands from the growing population, and even contributing to the end of famine. In the recent past, President Obama and his administration developed a so-called “Green Revolution” in agriculture aimed at true environmental change, especially through the use of cleaner energy options. Next on the agenda? The “Evergreen Revolution,” in which Obama hopes to continue India’s “Green Revolution”. Obama plans to expand India’s success of decreasing the famine into undeveloped African countries. He and other experts agree that the uses of GMOs are the only way to have a huge revolutionary impact on these countries.
Production of GMO's
Countries Producing GMOs
However, there are drawbacks. Africa for instance lacks sufficient technology for engaging in this advanced type of science. As such, many of the people who could benefit from GMOs may not get the chance as soon as some may have hoped. In addition, critics believe that GMOs can have a negative impact on human health, the environment and biodiversity. For example, in large, quickly developing countries like China, it is becoming increasingly challenging to produce enough food for the growing population. As such, it has become a necessity to find ways to increase food production. One solution could be found through the increased use of GMOs. However, in some cases GMOs may not be the “savior crops” that they appear to be.
Problems with Production
The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention began an investigation this past September after it was discovered that genetically modified rice was being field tested on a group of 24 children, whose ages ranged between six and eight years old. The so-called “golden rice” was created as a solution to vitamin A deficiency, a problem that is also present in developing countries such as Bangladesh and the Philippines. Developers included Chinese scientists and researchers at Tufts University, but the issue came to light only after the environmental group Greenpeace expressed worries about the safety of the rice, saying it carried “environmental and health risks.” (dailymail.co.uk) Meanwhile, sources affiliated with the researchers claim the rice should not bring about any negative side effects due to the fact that they “placed the highest importance on human health” and “[took] all necessary steps to ensure the safety of human research subjects.” (dailymail.co.uk)
In examples such as the one above, it is evident that genetically modified organisms can offer many benefits, such as better taste, the conservation of resources, or even the solution to medical problems. However, there are obviously controversial ethical issues and other drawbacks that must be addressed. First, there are safety issues that could potentially negatively impact human health and the environment. Second, since GMOs are fairly new, there is little study of the long-term effects. Therefore, safety issues are fairly unknown. However, researchers have found that genetically modified organisms may cause an increase in allergies in humans as well as unintentional effects on other organisms due to processes such as cross-pollinations.
Another problem that many critics point to is that an expansion of GMOs would allow for a few large companies to dominate the food industry. While this could benefit industrialized countries (since developing countries would form an increasing reliance), it would hurt competition among businesses. For instance, companies that use GMOs in the United States are not required to label their products. As a result, companies can dominate their respective markets with their economically efficient methods, without telling their consumers or being held responsible.
In examples such as the one above, it is evident that genetically modified organisms can offer many benefits, such as better taste, the conservation of resources, or even the solution to medical problems. However, there are obviously controversial ethical issues and other drawbacks that must be addressed. First, there are safety issues that could potentially negatively impact human health and the environment. Second, since GMOs are fairly new, there is little study of the long-term effects. Therefore, safety issues are fairly unknown. However, researchers have found that genetically modified organisms may cause an increase in allergies in humans as well as unintentional effects on other organisms due to processes such as cross-pollinations.
Another problem that many critics point to is that an expansion of GMOs would allow for a few large companies to dominate the food industry. While this could benefit industrialized countries (since developing countries would form an increasing reliance), it would hurt competition among businesses. For instance, companies that use GMOs in the United States are not required to label their products. As a result, companies can dominate their respective markets with their economically efficient methods, without telling their consumers or being held responsible.
Labeling of GMO's
As many learn about the effects of GMOs in their everyday lives, millions are calling for labels on these products. Support has been shown from all 50 states, petitions have ben signed by over a million people, and over 91% of americans want GMOs labeled. The question now is, why won't the FDA listen? Wondering if this is a political issue? It is said that 89% of Republicans, 90% of Independents, and 93% of Democrats want the labels. Many would argue that this is unethical. Since people tend to gravitate towards these larger, well-known, dominating companies that use GMOs, they could be subjecting themselves to a number of the GMO drawbacks that were discussed above without being conscious of the risk.
One final problem is that many people find it unethical to tamper with natural organisms. Critics argue that GMOs cause stress to animals, especially when they are fed food that cause them to grow to an abnormal size at an accelerated pace. In addition, to improve the ability to withstand extreme climate change, some genetically modified organisms are sprayed with herbicides. When such chemicals are used, they may negatively affect non-targeted species and can end up being a harsh pollutant to the environment.
Genetically modified organisms help to modernize and improve the way people around the world consume food; however, the “unnatural” aspect is one of great controversy. Because nothing can ever be perfect, there are trade-offs and opportunity costs to genetically modified organisms. Therefore, increased research in the near future will be able to determine if these costs are worth the price.
Genetically modified organisms help to modernize and improve the way people around the world consume food; however, the “unnatural” aspect is one of great controversy. Because nothing can ever be perfect, there are trade-offs and opportunity costs to genetically modified organisms. Therefore, increased research in the near future will be able to determine if these costs are worth the price.
Nicollete Slotkin and Trent Cummings