Global Politics on Genetically Modified Organisms - Essay Example

? Global politics on genetically modified organisms Research Question There are a number of issues of global politics andone of them is the debate about the genetically modified organisms (GMO).This research paper seeks to explore and discuss the fundamental concepts of genetic modification on the global food products and the emerging concerns about its safety to the consumers. Background information Many countries and regional economic integration blocks have been engaged in deeper scrutiny of the entire issue of genetically modified organisms. Such countries and trading blocs include European Union, US, Germany and all the other nations who hold different views about this subject. This means that the merits and demerits of this scientific concept need to be revisited for seeking the truth about its application and sustainability. As Sanderson asserts, the raging debate about the genetically modified organism across the world has been going on for the past decade and is ongoing with mixed reactions from different people (58). This has been an issue of household and global discussion and this makes it an instrumental political tool as far as policies on food safety are concerned. It a sensitive issue that touches on people’s lives directly due to consumption of the food products derived from the process (Parekh and Sarad 45). Several governments across the world have raised concern over this GMO science development through their different legislative bodies and international conferences. Parekh and Sarad agree that all these summits and consultative meetings are focused on establishing the safety of these GMO products (47). The subject of genetically modified organisms requires critical scrutiny over its safety to the consumers, relevant legal structure and scientific concepts associated with it. Introduction Genetically modified organisms refer to a scientific method of altering the genetic composition of an organism through a process known as genetic engineering. It constitutes transfer of genetic information from one organism to another to attain some predetermined desired genetic traits. This scientific concept was introduced as a step towards increasing food production to narrow the gap between supply of food and the exponential population growth across the world (Kinchy,75). Shally-Jensen argues that several nations especially the developed countries have successfully tried and tested the feasibility of GMO science and they have been campaigning for its adoption across the entire globe as a measure towards food security (69). It is also important to note that, this subject has been raising global concern over its safety on the health of people who consume such genetically modified organisms that contribute to the better proportion of food products (Shally 56-9). This discussion will therefore give insight into the conceptual aspects of the subject of genetic engineering and its immediate and long term impact on the life of consumers. Literature review Genetic engineering technology has widely been used in Australia, Egypt, South Africa, North America, some European countries, Asia, and others. In these various nations, the principle objective of this mode of food production has generally been focused towards increasing the level of food production for local consumption and partly for export majorly to the developing nations. Sanderson claims that the production of such genetically modified organic materials requires resources that entail skilled human capital, appropriate technology and sound legal system that must control and regulate this process (74). Since the inception of this technology, several diverse arguments have been advanced for and against it. It is out of such critique that the real benefits of genetically modified organisms achieve credibility and possibility of its sustainability if it should be embraced across the whole world (Lee 67). Research has also established that this concept have been working against the forces of nature and the conventional traditional biological process involved in growth and development of living organisms. This science has equally gained significant usefulness in the contemporary world and specifically in the Agricultural sector where it finds greater application. Genetically Modified organisms have been found to be of substantial use in diverse research fields that include biological and medical related scientific investigative experiments. According to Shally (76) this has significantly boosted the increased food production in agricultural sector e.g. the pharmaceutical drugs and golden rice which is attainable through gene therapy. This concept has also been used in carrying out further research by biology scholars and scientists on the appropriate Medicare measures against some infections like Eukaryotic cells which are basically from biological process in the body of human beings (Parekh and Sarad 49). On average, this process has an overriding advantages on improvement of various species of organisms i.e. plants and animals. The final products in this case satisfy the set objectives on some specific quality of trait and increased productivity rate. Several merits of applying this technology have been advanced by developed countries to convince other less developed to follow suit or with hidden commercial intentions of expanding their global market share in GMO export volumes. In countries with developed economies, there is significant evidence that genetically modified crops have led to an exponential food production (Shally 78). This scientific concept has the effect of enhancing higher crop yields which sums up to more food supply compared to the natural production way. This concept of biotechnology provides a remedial alternative measure to the ever increasing food production costs through the natural process. Lee argues from his research that this is due to reduced overall time period of maturity and thereby cut on the production costs such as time and factor input in maintaining the food crops in the garden the natural way (86). In that respect, it is relevant to argue that genetically modified crops are low cost products against high natural production in the garden. This scientific concept of reduced cost of farming input factor costs and higher crop yields leads to a greater farm profit for commercial farmers. It is also important to note that this mode of food production has environment and health improvement benefits (Evenson, Robert and Santaniello,25). This explains the several cases of reduced poor health and degradation of the environment with the application of this technology in production of food (Parekh and Sarad 80). Research has also been done on nutritional balancing in the scientific process of developing such genetically modified organisms. Further experiments are underway in increasing the nutritional content of Genetic engineering generated foods so that relatively little consumption is constituted of substantial nutrients and desirable industrial traits. Much as some scholarly research work has argued in favor of this technology, possible health risks are not amiss. The use of the GM food poses a potential health risks and environmental degradation possibility and this has been the central issue of concern. Opponents of this technology argue that with its increased application, there is potential risk of unintentional introduction of allergens and anti-nutrition elements in the end food products. This is a great health hazard to the consumers across the world. Such a challenge calls for the intervention of government and other stakeholders (Sanderson 55). Sanderson further claims that there is equally a high likelihood straying of the transgenic substances into the wild crops from the ones cultivated and when this occurs, it may not be easy to regulate or control (56). There is fear of potential danger of the toxins’ possible straying into the non-targeted organisms that is likely to end up being consumed by unsuspecting members of the society. The above highlighted potential risks has compelled many governments to stand up in arms to ensure that appropriate safety measures are put in place by the scientists and the various stakeholders in this business. What appalls most people across the world is the inadequate scientific capacity to assess the chemical content of the GMO products (Sanderson 58). There is concern over the lack of necessary guidelines to formulate legal system and relevant implementation mechanism. Conclusion Such pressing issues related to genetically modified organisms have culminated to global politics. There has been a debate that seeks future provision of regulatory measures that takes care of health and environment. These GMO products need to be subjected to thorough bio safety tests to eliminate any trace of health threatening substances particularly in the developing nations where lack information among citizens is relatively high. Works Cited Evenson, Robert E, and V Santaniello. The Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK: CABI Pub, 2004. Print.25 Kinchy, Abby J. Seeds, Science, and Struggle: The Global Politics of Transgenic Crops. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2012. Print.75 Lee, Maria. Eu Regulation of Gmos: Law and Decision Making for a New Technology. London: Elgar, 2008. Print. Parekh, Sarad R. The Gmo Handbook: Genetically Modified Animals, Microbes, and Plants in Biotechnology. Totowa, New Jersey: Humana Press, 2004.Print. Sanderson, Colin J. Understanding Genes and Gmos. Singapore: World Scientific, 2007.Print. Shally-Jensen, Michael. Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Social Issues. Santa Barbara, Calif: Abc-Clio, 2011. Print. Read More