Health Risks and Environmental Impacts of Genetically Modified Foods - Research Proposal Example

Health Risks and Environmental Impacts of Genetically Modified Foods of Submitted 1973 was a historic year in the world of scientists. The DNA was discovered and the initial recombinant bacteria were created. This was Escherichia coli bacteria which are found in the lower section of the alimentary canal of mammals (Reilly, 2001:90). This bacterium was injected with a salmonella gene. Thus, it was a bacterium of one family expressing the characteristics of a different one. This discovery made it possible to engineer genetically organisms. These raised concerns in the scientific fraternity. As a result, this discovery was widely explored at the Asilomar Conference that year. The concerns were that this new technology posed a risk to the environment and to the health of the people (Bedford, 2003: 89). The conference recommended that the technology be controlled by the government until it was refined and became safe. The first firm to make use of this technology was established shortly after this discovery. It was called Genentech and was owned by a person by the name of Herbert Boyer (Russell, 2004: 45). In 1978, the firm came up with another groundbreaking discovery. It created another strain of Escherichia coli. This one was capable of producing insulin, identical to that produced by the human being (Linda, 2005: 234). In the year 1980, one of the first patents for this technology was applied for. It was the first patent issued for a biological life, or creation as people liked to call it. It was a patent for a bacterium that could break down oil by eating it (Graham, 2009: 456). In 1985, the patent was made applicable to all plants that were biologically engineered. The first large scale harvesting of these plants was in the mid 1990’s. The last years of the 1990 decade saw the appearance of genetically modified foods in the shops. They were ingredients of almost two thirds of the total of American food that was processed. This technology has been opposed by many on the grounds that it is not safe to man and his environment. Field tests for genetically modified organisms have been delayed or blocked by activists and lobbyists who are opposed to the technology. Some countries in Africa declined food aid from America on the suspicion that it was genetically modified. This was in the year 2002. Introduction Genetic Modification consists of the alteration of the organism’s genetic composition. It introduces or removes genetic material from an organism’s genome (Kendall, 2002: 456). Genes can be inserted which are gotten from an organism of a different species. This is called horizontal transfer. This transfer of genes from one organism to another does occur naturally in nature (Jockely, 2007: 34). But it can also be carried out artificially by man in the laboratory. It involves different techniques like physical insertion or attaching the gene to a virus. The production and use of genetically produced food has been a controversial topic for a long time. Some critics view the technology as an interference with the nature (Howard, 2000: 43). Others feel that this technology is risky since not everything about it is known by man. As a result, it can have some irreversible consequences that are unforeseeable. The genetically modified food has been suspected to be a risk to the human health and to the environment too. This paper will try to look if there are any health risks and environmental effects of genetically modified food substances. Research Question Allington (2005: 231) says that a research question guides the steps and actions to be taken by the researcher. It is a question that the researcher strives to answer. To answer this question, the researcher has to go to the field and collect data that will try to answer it. This research will be guided by one research question: are there any health risks and environmental impacts associated with genetically modified food? Aim of the Research Farouk (2001:98) says that every research has its aim. This is the goal that the researcher wishes to achieve by carrying out the research. The research could have one aim or several aims (Guthner, 2002: 345). This acts as another guide to the researcher. He knows which action to take and which to leave as he conducts the study. In the process of carrying out the research, the researcher is bound to encounter a lot of distractions and hindrances. These are risky as they might make the researcher deviate from the initial intent of the study (Biden, 2003: 37). But he should not lose track of his goal in the face of these distractions. The aim of the study will keep him in track. The goal should be clearly stated to avoid any confusion. The aim of this study will be to unravel the mystery behind Genetically Modified foods. Specifically, it will try to find out whether there are any risks to the human consumer of these foods. It will also try to find out whether the foods have any impact to the environment. Objectives of the Study Sandra (2005: 132) says that every study carried out must have an objective. These are like the aims of the study but they are more specific, whereas the aim is a broad statement. They try to answer the question “why is this study been carried out”. A study might have one broad objective and several specific ones (Powell, 2004: 36). The broad objective of this study will be to try and find out the risks, if any, that the Genetically Modified food have on human health and its impact to the environment. It will be guided by the following specific objectives: What are the uses of Genetically Modified Organisms? What are the effects of Genetically Modified food to our health? What are the impacts of the Genetically Modified food to the environment? How can genetic engineering be made safe to the human and to the environment? What are some of the myths surrounding genetic engineering technology? How is genetic engineering technology regulated? What is the future of genetically modified food? Literature Review This section of the research process has many functions. The researcher summarizes the already published material (hereby referred to as the literature) on the topic under investigation (Marco, 2003: 76). He also interprets and evaluates this literature in line with his topic. The aim here is to familiarise oneself with the knowledge that exists on the topic he is researching on (Willy, 2000: 56). This makes sure that the researcher does not duplicate another person’s work on the subject. If he duplicates the other person’s work, his study will be of no use since it has added no new knowledge to the field (Jockely, 2007: 64). It is important to note that the aim of a study is to add to the knowledge that exists on the topic under research, not to recycle the knowledge. Literature review helps the researcher to realise the gaps that exist on the knowledge of a subject. His aim is to fill this knowledge gap (Williams, 2006: 456). This research will look on the existing knowledge on the topic of genetically modified organisms in this literature review section. Uses of Genetically Modified Organisms They have many practical applications. They are utilised by researchers in the medical and biological fields (Davidson, 2004: 64). It is also used in the manufacture of drugs. They are also used in the production of agricultural things. Bacteria that have been modified have been used in the treatment of many diseases. Escherichia coli can be genetically altered. The resultant version can produce insulin (Brumer, 2008: 59). This can be used to treat diabetes in humans. This have saved a lot of lives that could have been lost if such technology was unavailable. Another form of bacteria can be modified to be used in the treatment of haemophilia in man. This is a condition where the person lacks the clotting factor necessary in the blood to stop loss of blood in case of a cut. Haemophilic persons can lose a lot of blood from a small cut and this is a threat to their lives. This genetically modified bacterium produces clotting factors (Braille, 2008: 53). These factors are then given to the person and this condition is arrested. The hormone responsible for growth in humans can also be produced through genetic engineering (Davidson, 2004: 12). This can be used to rectify dwarfism. Genetically modified animals can be used to test the effects of new drugs on humans (Allington, 2005:32). These are called transgenic animals. They are usually important in testing the effects of newly developed genes. These products produced by genetically modified bacteria, and used for treatment, are very safe. They are safer to use than the naturally occurring ones that they replaced. This is because initially, those products were mainly obtained from dead bodies (Brumer, 2008:56). This caused transmission of many diseases that were life threatening to the recipient. These included AIDS and hepatitis. Genetically Modified Organisms can also be used in the process of gene therapy (Farouk, 2001: 456). The modified viruses are used as delivery vessels of curative genes. They deliver those genes to the targeted human cells. The delivered genes are targeted to cure diseases in the human. Genetic technology is also very important in treating disorders that are genetically based in the human. It is also very promising in the development of cures for other presently incurable diseases. The researchers are very cautious to target the non-reproductive cells in humans when using this technology on man (Reilly, 2001:89). This is because when used on reproductive cells, changes to these cells will be passed down to the next generation. Genetic engineering have been utilised in agriculture. The plants developed with this technology are called transgenic plants (Kendall, 2002:35). They have very beneficial characteristics lacking in the naturally occurring ones. This includes resistance to diseases and drought. Other advantages are higher level of nutrition and durability after harvesting. The plants have also been seen to be more productive than the naturally occurring varieties. These plants also can resist pests and as such last for longer and yield higher. Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms to Our Health The genetically modified genes present in the food can mutate (Davidson, 2004: 56). This can take place within the human body after ingestion. The effect of this is a chain reaction that can not be predicted. The human body contains a colony of healthy bacteria that are life supporting (Jockely, 2007: 34). These can be made to mutate by the modified ones present in food causing life threatening conditions. Genetically modified food has caused sicknesses and deaths in humans. Some of this food leads to allergic reaction on the part of the consumer. The result of this is anaphylactic shock (Williams, 2006:87). This can lead to death. These foods have also been known to affect the physiology of our body. This is because the body can react to the foreign genes by producing antibodies to counter them. This action can lead to life threatening reactions in the human body. The food has also been known to cause cancer (Graham, 2009: 34). This is because it can cause the body cells to replicate at a high rate with no control. It can lead to birth defects if the genes find their way to the reproductive cells. These are just but some of the effects of thee foods to our health. Effects of Genetically Modified Products to the Environment The effects are clearly seen especially when this technology is applied to agriculture. The genetically modified pest control system can affect small animals like birds and bees (Bedford, 2003:90). When consumed by these animals, they lead to their genetic alteration. The animals can die and this interferes with the natural balance of the ecosystem. The pesticide might be non-biodegradable making it to remain in the soil for a long period of time. This affects the productivity of the soils. The seeds that are produced through genetic engineering are meant to resist certain elements. One of this is toxicity. These seeds are capable of withstanding large doses of toxin from pesticides and herbicides. As a result, people use these chemicals in large quantities. This will lead to the raised levels of toxins in the soil (Powell, 2004:678). The soil can also be rendered sterile (Guthner, 2002: 345). This is the through the use of genetically modified organisms to act on the soil and as a result producing some other unintended products which sterilise the soil. It has also led to the extinction of certain plants and insects. Methodology and Methods to be used in the Study Methodology is the description of the practices and procedures used by the researcher in the cause of his work (Farouk, 2001:89). These are the steps to be adhered to in collecting the information necessary for the research. It is the specific way that the researcher will go about his work. At the end of each stage, the aim is to have a precise amount of results or outcomes (Farouk, 2001:90). Method, according to Farouk (2001:91) is the regular and systematic manner of carrying out the research. Here are the methods that this research will use: Interviews This is a form of collecting primary data for the research. The researcher opted for this method because it is easy to control the questions in an interview than in a questionnaire. The researcher will interview stakeholders in the genetic engineering field. This will include the chairmen of pharmaceutical companies and scientists. The problem that the researcher is likely to encounter with this method is the refusal by the targets to grant audience. Naturalistic Observation This is whereby the researcher observes the phenomenon under study directly in its natural environment (Linda, 2005:89). The researcher will travel to the field and inspect the direct effects of GMO’s to the environment. He might walk in farms that use this technology. The draw back of this technique is that it is time consuming. In-depth Review of Existing Literature The researcher here uses the already existing knowledge in that field to build on his research (Braille, 2008:78). This researcher will review the existing books and journals on Genetically Modified Food and the effects. The books will be acquired from the library or from the internet. Evaluation of the Study This is whereby the researcher determines the merit and worth of the study (Howard, 2000:76). He makes use of criteria that is set against some specified standards. This researcher will evaluate the worth of the study and also the progress that it is making. The following are the worth of the study: It will help to clarify the myths surrounding the genetic engineering technology. It will help in identifying the benefits of this technology to humans. The study will expose the threat that this technology poses to our health The threat to the environment will also be noted It will help in identifying how this technology can be used constructively The study will be evaluated on the achievement of these objectives. If it achieves them, the study will be said to be a success. If it does not, then that is a failure. Conclusion Genetic engineering has potential benefits if it is used in the right way. But it also has some damages that are life threatening and long lasting. Thus, the use of this technology should be controlled to make sure that it is not misused or applied in the wrong manner. This is because this technology holds a lot of promise and a lot of threat too. We should exploit the benefits and avoid the damaging one. Reference Allington. F. 2005. Genetic engineering unmasked. 2nd Edition. London. Paradise Books. Bedford, W. 2003. The human genome. 1st Edition. Texas. Apprentice. Biden, S. 2003. All about genetic engineering. Houston. Houston Book House. Braille, G. 2008. An introduction to genetic engineering. 3rd Edition. Illinois. Willy Books. Brumer, H. 2008. The ills of technological advancement. 1st Edition. Dallas. Tereeded. Davidson, D. 2004. Technology and the future. 1st Edition. Massachusetts. Tamain Books. Farouk, M. 2001. Technological advancement in medicine. 3rd Edition. New York. Mainne. Graham, A. 2009. Challenges facing genetic engineering. 2nd Edition. Houston. Bookers House. Guthner, V. 2002. The benefits of genetic engineering. 2nd Edition. Nebraska. Carefree Publishers. Howard, K. 2000. The impacts of genetically produced drugs. 1st Edition. Kansas. Kansas House. Jockely, Y. 2007. Genetic engineering: what is the way forward? 1st Edition. Kansas. Kansas House. Kendall, D. 2002. Genetic engineering and ethics. 4th Edition. Colorado. Colorado Publishers. Linda, C. 2005. The myths surrounding genetic engineering. 2nd Edition. Dallas. Grawe Books. Marco, M. 2003. Information on genetically modified foods. 2nd Edition. Hawaii. Island Publishers. Powell, A. 2004. The controversy surrounding biological engineering. 3rd Edition. Alaska. Howard and Francis. Reilly, A. 2001. The effects of genetically modified products to the environment. 1st Edition. Houston. Willy and Lilly Publishers. Russell, Q. 2004. Impacts of technology to the environment.1st Edition New Jersey. Prentice Hall. Sandra, D. 2005. Control measures in technology. 1st Edition. Massachusetts. Massachusetts Books. Williams, G. 2006. Research methods in scientific topics. 1st Edition. London. London Book House. Willy, F. 2000. Qualitative research methods. 2nd Edition. London. London Book House. REVISION set on 2009-04-29 18:17 : the customer says that you wrote the paper on American |English. It has to be UK English. Please fix it and clarify what else needs to be fixed. Thank you I have highlighted and then set the default language to English UK. But there was no observable change. Am not sure how I can revise it. Read More