Ethical Issues of Mass Genetically Modified Food Production - Essay Example

?First Supervisor Ethical Issues of Mass Genetically Modified Food Production Genetic modification involves transferring of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from one organism to another of the same or different species with the intention of getting an enhanced organism or crop with specific characteristics, which have been pre-identified. These can include higher yields, disease resistance, or health benefits. Contrary to popular belief, genetic modification of organisms did not begin with modern technology, and humans have been modifying, albeit through comparatively primitive means, simple crops and animals over the years. Indeed, many of today’s crops have been modified so much that the modern people might have a hard time identifying the original crop, such as maize. However, with developing of modern technology, genetic modification of crops has become so sophisticated that many people find it hard to come to terms with the drastic changes made to organisms. The ethicalness of companies producing GMOs has consequently become subject of the extensive debate internationally, and the possibility that GMOs may comprise a substantial portion of the food produced in the USA and UK has elicited a barrage of reaction from different circles where disparate views are held on the issue. This paper aims at examining the ethical issues around mass production of genetically modified foods by considering different points of view on the subject to determine if a company is ethically justified to produce the same. The ethical issues surrounding genetically modified food are motivated by a multitude of factors, chief among these are health concerns since there is not enough research to determine the long-term effect of GMOs. Despite the fact that GMOs have been the part of the American diet since 1992 (soybeans, corn, and cottonseed), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed them because they had not found them to have any threat to the human life. It claimed they were not the subject of regulation since they did not differ from ordinary seeds (Smith, “Spilling the Beans…”). Later experimentation has come to show that many genetically modified foods are downright harmful to virtually every organ of the human body. According the American Organic Consumers, GMOs have been linked to 1000s of livestock deaths, allergic reactions and even deaths of humans over the years (Smith, “Spilling the Beans…”). The research by several other organizations has also come up with distressing results after using GMOs on rats that often suffered fatal consequences. Another factor worth considering is that although we cannot explicitly prove they do not cause them, there is enough circumstantial evidence to require the reexamination of the corporate and federal positions on GMOs, consumption of which has coincided with increase prevalence in medical conditions, such as cancer and deadly allergy attacks. The companies producing GMOs are well aware of what they are doing; it is glaringly evident because of the fact that they continue to produce these products. This has consequently saturated the American market since the companies have no concern for the health of consumers and are driven by the bottom line. With this in mind, the ethical violations by any of the companies engaging in production of these products are unambiguous. The other ethical consideration is the fact that consumers are unaware of the effect and modifications done on the food they consume; hence, many eat such in full ignorance. To worsen matters, labeling is not allowed, so consumers have no hope of choosing whether they want to eat GMOs or not (Lendman, “Potential Health Hazards…”). This way, the companies are literally forcing millions of consumers to use these products without giving them enough information. Therefore, such attitude can be viewed as quintessence of unethical business practice. Another pertinent consideration is who will gain and who will lose in all this: who are the principal beneficiaries, is it the consumers or the companies procuring these products? Let us assume that it is the consumer who will be affected if he or she suffers negative effects of consuming such goods. Religious groups have also vehemently opposed the use of GMOs by companies since they deem the Modifications as an attempt to play God by scientists. For them nature is pure, and it should not be messed with since God designed it as it is, and if he wished to make adjustments, he would have done so originally (Schulman, “Attack of the Killer…”). Accordingly, nature was created to submit to divine law; however, in the genetic interference scientists assume to know what is right and wrong, and this often does not follow a natural cause. This opposition is not only to be found among people and groups; even moralists without religious inclinations deem the actions as immoral. This is because the evolution has taken millions of years, and humans have no moral authority to dictate the cause of nature. Several facts pertaining GMOs are worrisome and prominent; among these is the emergence of superbugs, which are enhanced viruses and bacteria. According to reputable and ethical scientists, horizontal gene transfer that is facilitated by transferring genes from one species of animals or plants to the other allows viruses and other disease-causing organism to move from one species to another. This has resulted in the development of a combination of viruses, such as Hepatitis and HIV in South Africa, which makes the treatment impossible since the governments implemented the growing of white maize which has been genetically modified with causative agents. The long term consequences on human life are dire since this will indirectly affect the rate of HIV transmission and cause the many of the Antiretroviral drugs to become obsolete. The fiscal and health ramifications of these are a clear indication that an uncontrolled use of GMO technology is extremely dangerous. While conceding that GMOs are harmful, we must nonetheless take cognizance of the fact the future will be driven by technology, and the inculcation of technological trends is an unavoidable aspect that will have to be contended with at some point. There are several options in the direction that GMOs will take. One is that we can go the organic consumers’ way, shun any form of genetically modified foods, and stick to them. In such a case, companies producing GMOs would be forced out of business; hence, they would not be able to supply them. Nonetheless, genetically modified foods have become a significant part of the total food consumed, and it would be economically impractical to sustain the population without the use of some form of GMOs. Ultimately, the best option is that companies producing GMOs should take responsibility for the lives of their consumers by ensuring that they are carrying out sufficient research before releasing these products in the market. They should also ensure that they allow the consumers their freedom by labeling the products properly, so consumers can make informed decisions on whether or not to use products with genetic modifications (Schulman, “Attack of the Killer…”). In the way cigarette and alcohol companies label their products and put warnings, firms selling GMO products should warn the users of any risks if any alongside, explicitly stating the nature of modifications done on the products. In view of the factors explored herein, it is beyond any reasonable doubt that many firms producing and selling GMOs are engaged in ventures that put their consumers at risk and deprive them of their right to information, as well as contravene the moral codes held by both religious and nonreligious groups in several cases. Everyday a firm sells seeds to farmers which effects even they (the sellers) do not know for sure. Thus, they endanger the farmer, the farmland, and the final consumers of the product. Ultimately, this will translate to future generations who may pay the price for accidental genetic modifications on their parents’ DNA resulting from unknowing consumption of genetically altered food. Thus, it is clear that unless sufficient research on the GMOs is done and their effects discovered and mitigated, the companies selling GMOs are simply conducting an experiment on humans. They are ignorant of the results which may form current indications be fatal. Works Cited Schulman, Miriam. “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. Lendman, Stephen. “Potential Health Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods.” Global Research, 28 Feb. 2008. Web.10 Oct. 2012. Smith, Jeffrey. “Spilling the Beans: Unintended GMO Health Risks.” Organic Consumers Association, March 2008. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. Read More