Discussion question - Term Paper Example

Lidia M. Lujan Due April Week 11 Day The world’s population is projected at over nine billion people by the year 2050. With such a rapid growth being forecast bringing new food production online will cost our ecosystem hundreds of millions of additional acreage in current forest. Additional and advanced technological approaches while helpful in getting plants to bear more fruit per season are still limited in ability. One report stated that if we continue our growth by the year 2030 we will need an additional area the size of India to support the population unless additional work is done with the technology we have now.

(Marshall 15) The devastation to other species of animals and plants through the additional use of land to grow more food will be irreplaceable. We could potentially lose several additional species of animals through the deforestation necessary to use land versus simply advancing our technological approaches. However, the new technology including gene manipulation is cause for alarm due to the potential side effects it brings with it. Another concern is the ethical issues surrounding the patenting of genes, this could potentially lead to major corporations owning humans bodies through the patent on the gene they may carry.

One filmmaker spoke regarding this in 2004, she had originally made the film to look at pesticide use, and however, due to her research she became quite alarmed over the genetic manipulations being done by Monsanto Corporation. She called for additional supervision in this area as well as testing before using it in the general market. (Bertino 4) Much of the newer technology has been tested for an adequate length of time to see if negative effects may exist. Some researchers are looking for ways to potentially slow the growth of the human race and even place it at a standstill for a short time.

Given the alternatives this may be an appropriate approach as well. However, in the end it is the hunger of the people that drives the food industry regardless of approach. Another study looked at shows that today, worldwide there are close to One Billion hungry people. And in the next 50 years if the population grows as it is doing and is projected we will require a full 100% more food than we are producing now. (Simmons 1) While we run the risk of additional health issues in the future by using the more advanced technology in the form of genetic manipulation there is a much greater risk of total extinction through the additional razing of rain forests and old growth forests globally.

We must have food to survive, and unless humanity suddenly stops making babies for a year or so we will continue to grow as a race globally. The net benefits to utilizing technology outweigh the risks inherent and are far lesser risks compared to those that will occur should we continue to raze the forests to make space for crops to be grown. References Bertino, E. "The Future of Foods." film by deborah koons garcia (2006): 4. Web. 24 Mar 2011. http://www.thefutureoffood.com/stills300/FutureOfFood%20Press%20Package.

pdf Marshall, A. "AG innovation is big business for farm giant." Stock and Land, Syngenta (2010): 15. Web. 24 Mar 2011. http://www.syngenta.com/country/au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Media.Releases/2010/RuralPress_FULL_feature111110_web.pdf Simmons, J. "Why agriculture needs technology to help meet a growing demand for safe, nutritious and affordable food. ." Food economics and consumer choice (2009): 1. Web. 24 Mar 2011. http://foodsci.wisc.edu/assets/Food_Economics_White_Paper.pdf