Health Issue Associated with Genetically Engineered Foods - Essay Example

Health Issue Associated with Genetically Engineered Foods al Affiliation Introduction My proposal revolves around the health consequences that are associated with Genetically Modified Organisms. Special focus is on allergies that result mainly from genetically modified foods and are not observed in natural foods. Genetically modified organisms include organisms whose genetic makeup is altered to give a desired quality. Allergenicity associated with genetically modified foods are attributed to the protein structure of the foods (Mount, 2014). That is, genes that are used to enhance the plants are protein based. People exhibit immune responses to these proteins that comprise the genetic material of the plant in question. Some of the most common genetically modified foods that how high rates of allergies when consumed are corn and soybeans. Allergies, however, are not fatal, but are known to cause high irritability effect and this affects the quality of life of many people. Definition, signs, and symptoms of food caused allergies Allergies can be defined as immune responses to a given irritant. In this case, the irritant is genetically modified foods with a special focus on corn. The immune system is irritated by some protein irritants present in the genetic material of the genetically enhanced food substance. The symptoms of food allergens are categorized in broad classes according to the organ affected. Ingested food can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and even diarrhoea in some cases (NRC and Institute of Medicine, 2004). Though allergies are not usually fatal, some of the responses initiated by the immune system can lead to catastrophic results if supporting medication is not initiated. For example, vomiting and diarrhoea can be fatal if it goes unchecked. Some people exhibit skin rashes (commonly referred to as hives). Some of the clinical signs include erosion of the mucosal membranes. This can lead to peptic ulcers if along the gastrointestinal tract and irritation in other membranes. Long term consequences of allergies caused by genetically modified foods Allergies due to GMOs are due to the transgenes that are introduced to the plant organisms. Once the food is ingested, it is absorbed and assimilated in the body. Some of the genetic material from the plants can be absorbed by our cells in the body. These genes if unstable can cause a disruption in the normal cell cycle. One of the long term effects of these allergic reactions includes a hypersensitive immune system. The antibodies are sensitized to the antigens weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to any irritant giving adverse effects. Though the genetically modified foods have not been in circulation for long periods to effectively establish their effects, there is evidence that their metabolism affects some organs in the body. Comparative studies with rats have shown that GM foods have altered the normal pathways of metabolism, reduced fertility, kidney and liver malfunction (Lendman, 2008). Hypothesis; Are the inserted genes in genetically modified foods responsible for health risks to humans and how this situation be improved Discussion One of the major concerns with GM foods is that the inserted genes cause a series of health issues with allergies being the most prevalent. In the past, much controversy has surrounded the safety of GM foods for human consumption. For many years, GM food have been categorized a dangerous and people have been advised against taking them as they were said to pose health risks. Research is being carried out to stabilize new genes inserted and to make sure they are not disrupting the human cell cycle (AAEM, 2008). New Research Genetically modified food use the technology in enhancing food productivity and reducing food toxins by alteration of their genetic makeup (Zarrilli, 2005). In the earlier days, new genes were introduced in the genetic makeup to give the desired effect. These genes may have been partly responsible for altering food metabolism, thus, affecting the major organs (liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal disturbances. However, new research material and advanced technology have come up with a way of altering the exiting genes to improve food production. This reduces the risk of introducing new protein molecules that may cause undesired effects on humans. Research Designs There are two main research designs that are applied in a study. They include qualitative tests and quantitative tests (Gramatikov, 2010). Qualitative Approach In this scenario, the study undertakes descriptive, detailed events of the research being undertaken. An advantage of this research approach is that it can be used for a generalized study. Due to the widened area of research, a researcher is able to collect a lot of data which will provide a rich source of information. This is especially beneficial in an area which is new or an area which is surrounded with much controversy. The main disadvantage with this type of research is that the findings are subjective to the subjects and it is hard to draw a direct conclusion. Quantitative Approach In this type of research design, the researcher utilizes numerical data to analyse the situation. This research is only possible if the research parameters are well defined and a numerical presentation is possible (Gramatikov, 2010). The major advantage with this approach is that statistics provide an easy way to draw a clearly defined conclusion. The main disadvantage is that the context of the study that cannot be expressed numerically is ignored. Research Process-methodology My study would include following people who have been taking a genetically modified diet and comparing the data with another group who tick to naturally produced food. In my investigation, I would establish the frequency through which allergies due to food occur in the two groups. The process would entail making questionnaires that will require that participants to specify whether their diet is majorly comprised of natural foods or genetically modified foods. Then follow up on their medical records for a period of approximately five years. Any anomalies that are food related, especially allergic reactions are noted and recorded. A comparison is then drawn based on the frequency of the appearance of allergic reactions in both groups. To eliminate bias due to other environmental factors, a relatively big number of approximately 100 people per group is used. After comparing the results, I can draw a conclusion on whether genetic modified foods really do pose a health problem to humans. My research design would take a qualitative approach. This is due to the fact that health problems associated with genetically modified foods are relatively new and there are no definite findings. This can be associated with the fact that the enhanced foods have not been in circulation for a long period to allow for a long term study of the effects. Qualitative approach allows the researcher to exploit all the areas associated with allergenicity and genetically modified foods. Ethics section The ethics standard include four main principles. These include informed consent, confidentiality, safety, and honesty when giving results (Resnik, 2011). Informed consent In every process of investigating a new product, tests are required to be carried out to determine the safety of the product being introduced. This requires participation of volunteers. The ethics committee does not allow the institution carrying out the study to pay the volunteers. The process of enrolling must be free and the volunteers must not be subdued into participating in the study. The volunteers are supposed to give their free willed permission. In order to do that, the institution is charged with the mandate to explain how the study will be carried out and any negative or positive effects that the individuals may experience. Informed consent is given when the participants are fully aware of what they are engaging in and any negative effects they may suffer. For this reason, some group of people who are considered as vulnerable are exempted from such studies as they cannot give a free informed consent. Such groups of people include the armed forces under command, young people, the poor, and people with mental disorders. Safety The products are first tested with animal species before the human trials begin. In this case, the metabolic effects produced from the product are compared in different animal species. Some animal species, especially the rats are considered to have a similar metabolism process with humans. Thus, if no adverse effects are observed in animals, trials can be consented to the human level. The product must also be very beneficial in order to reach the human trial stage. Any harmful effects arising from the test products should be anticipated and victims treated immediately and testing discontinued if the tests are more harmful than beneficial. Confidentiality This is aimed at protecting the participants of the study. The volunteers should remain anonymous and the results should not be able to be traced back to them. This is because making such information public can lead to the victimization of the participants. In many research cases, the participants are identified by use of coded characters. Any personal information about the participants should be kept hidden. Honesty This is the act of providing accurate results as obtained from the study and reporting any fatalities that may occur. This is usually the hardest standard to meet. Implementing the ethical standards The implementation of these standards is not easy. Close supervision is one of the strategies that I can apply to ensure that the standards are met (Resnik, 2011). Honesty in results taking can be ensured by having independent investigators also collecting the data. Safety and protection of the volunteers are achieved by having medical personnel whose primary goal is to the volunteers. Conclusion Genetically modified foods have been surrounded with a lot of controversy on whether they pose health problem to humans or not. According to research done, proteins present in the enhanced foods are the major source of irritant that bring about the allergic reactions. New research proposes that study of the genes that are inserted in the genetic makeup of plants should be studied extensively to determine their effect on human metabolism. The studies can help establish whether these foods pose any health risk. A possible solution that is being researched on is to enhance the naturally occurring proteins without introducing transgenes which are associated with allergies. References Top of Form Top of Form AAEM. (2008). Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html Gramatikov, M., & Tilburg Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Civil Law and Conflict Resolution Systems. (2010). A handbook for measuring the costs and quality of access to justice. Apeldoorn: Maklu. Lendman, S. (2008). Health Hazards of Genetically Engineered Foods. http://www.rense.com/general80/haz.htm Mount, R. (2014). How do Genetically Modified Foods Affect Your Health? Women’s Health. http://www.oprah.com/health/Genetically-Modified-Foods-Affect-Health-and-Body National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods; Approaches to Assesing Unintended Health Effects. National Academic Press. Resnik, B. D. (2011). What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/ Zarrilli, S., & United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2005).International trade in GMOs and GM products: National and multilateral legal frameworks. New York: United Nations. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More