The Genetics Of Food Crops - Essay Example

The Genetics Of Food CropsThe purpose of this paper is to discuss whether or not we should alter the genetics of food crops in order to make the disease resistant and improve production for the hungry.As with any major issue there are many arguments for or against the topic. In regards to arguments in favor altering the genetics of food crops, there is little question that genetic modification have had a significant impact on the overall output. According to the BBC (2009) it was professor Norman Borlaug who realized that creating short stemmed varities of cereal crops would yield a plant that could direct a great deal more energy towards larger heads of grain (The food aspect of the plant).

This ends was achieved through genetic modification rather than traditional long term plant breeding and crossbreeding which takes decades to achieve these results. The result was that the world was given food crops that greatly increased food output, were disease resistant, required less water and less fertilizer. Although these factors in and of themselves are grand achievements the total result was that Latin American and East Asian nations were able to fend against impending famines. With all this information in mind one must also consider the fact that there are strong arguments against genetic modification of food crops.

According to Whitman (2000) there are six general points that are used to argue against the use of genetically modified foods. Firstly there are unintentional harm to other organisms (Such as how other animals will react to modified pollens that other organisms eat). Secondly there is the reduced effectiveness of pesticides insofar as plants that have been modified to be pest resistant may boost the immune system of insects so that they are less affected by traditional pesticides. Thirdly there is the unintended gene transfer to other species which means cross pollination with non-genetically modified plants.

As a fourth point there is the risk of increased allergic response to genetically modified crops. One additional point is the unknown long term affects on human health and finally there are economic concerns associated with massive new cheap crops that may crowd out traditional food crop growers.With all these points in consideration one must understand that all these criticisms mean nothing to somebody that is starving to death. People who are impoverished rely heavily on inexpensive food crops.

If improvements can be made to increase food output, nutritional output or reduce costs associated with growing food than it may be beneficial to the people who would best capitalize on this product. As a final point if Norman Borlaug had never made the genetic improvements to our cereal crops than according to the American Council on Science and Health (2007) that it is estimated that over a billion people would have starved to death. For his contribution, Borlaug was awarded both the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

ReferencesAmerican Council on Science and Health (2007) Dr. Norman Borlaug, Who Saved a Billion Lives, Honored by Congress This Week. [online] Available at http://www.acsh.org/news/newsID.1579/news_detail.asp Accessed on February 9th 2011.BBC (Sept 13th 2009) Agricultural Pioneer Borlaug Dies. [online] Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8253005.stm Accessed on February 9th 2011.Whitman (2000) Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? CSA Discovery Guide. [online] Available at http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/review.

pdf Accessed on February 9th 2011.