Explaining the Debate About Genetic Engineering Using Functionalism Theory - Essay Example

Explaining the debate about Genetic Engineering Using Functionalism Theory 0 Summary of the Article This research paper begins with a summary of the article, ‘The endless debate over genetic engineering’ by ‘Schiffman; from which the social issue of concern is obtained. ‘Schiffman’s article first describes how a series of attacks by different people from different countries on genetically modified crops’ projects, has brought back the debate about genetic engineering. It then describes how different people with different opinions are involved. There are proponents of genetic engineering who argue that the development of genetically modified crops was meant to solve the problem of hunger in the world. It was believed, and still argued that, mixing of genetic materials from different species could provide desirable features that protect the crops, for example, to withstand high temperatures, to be resistant to certain diseases and pests, and even to protect the human population from certain diseases. Genetic engineering critics, however, argue that this kind of technology may lead to the production of proteins that may be harmful to human health (Schiffman, 2013). Scientists, on the other hand are divided on the degree of risk. Some argue that it may have high risks to human health, while others are convinced that there is still no evidence on adverse health effects. Most scientists, however, still believe that genetic engineering still needs thorough testing on a case to case basis, to be sure of its safety (Schiffman, 2013). Another issue that contributes to the debate is the evaluation of the safety of the genetically modified foods. The Food and Drug Administration agency does not have an independent scientific verification of the GM foods’ industry assessments. This means that the producers of the GM foods, assess the safety of their own products. This is not acceptable to some public interest groups who feel that more stringent rules should be used. One of such groups is the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM). For the above reason, AAEM called for a cessation on genetically modified foods until long term independent studies are done to determine the effect of GM foods on human health. This debate is mainly because of the effect of GM foods on people’s health, and people’s beliefs. A specific case of the Philippines damaging the golden rice fields was all because the people’s belief that tampering with the building blocks of life was wrong (Schiffman, 2013). 2.0 The General Social Issue This assignment will use the structural functionalism approach to argue that genetic engineering is part of the system within systems, which form the society’s structure for a given purpose. It argues that, just like other parts of the society structure, it has a role to play in the society for the society’s stability. 3.0 Literature Review 3.1 Genetic Engineering and Functionalism Theory 3.1.1 Structural Functionalism Structural functionalism is well known for the framework in which it is based. This theory argues that the society is a system of interconnected parts, and these parts work together for the good of the system. This is related to the human body system with different parts and organs that perform different functions for the good of the body. The heart pumps blood to ensure every tissue gets nutrients for the body to function properly. The same way the society has structures, and sub-structures which function for its own good, but work in an interdependent way. Genetic engineering forms part of the structure of the society. It is under new technology, which plays a vital role in the development of the society in various ways. It also forms part of eliminating hunger in the society. Genetic engineering was developed with an aim of creating food security (Andersen & Taylor, 2012). Structural functionalists also argue that the society is made up of systems within systems. For example, the family is a system in itself, but also a component of the whole society (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). There is also the government which is a system that ensures distribution of power, and establishment of the rules of the society. The economy is a system that provides goods and services to the members of the society. The religious system provides a sense of meaning and core values to the members of the society. These are other examples of components of the society, in which other systems can be found. Within the government for example, there are several systems that ensure it performs its functions (Hoban, n.d; Andersen & Taylor, 2012). 3.2.0 Social Structures According to the functionalism theory social structure consists of; roles, statuses, and social institutions. These structures have elements which perform some function in the social system. The roles, statuses, and social institutions also have values and norms, status and role, and groups and organizations (Brym & Lie, 2009; Moses & Cape, 2009). 3.2.1 Social Institutions Societies should have the capability of fulfilling certain basic human and social needs in order to survive. Examples of the needs are such as; provision of food and shelter, training and caring for new members, protection of members against both external and internal dangers, and providing a sense of purpose to achieve mutual cooperation. The fulfillment of these needs are necessary for the survival of the individuals and the society, therefore, they are human and social. The society runs the risk of collapsing if it does not meet these needs. The societies therefore, have common ways of dealing with provision of security, food, shelter, and other social and human needs, These common ways are the social institutions, for example, security agencies, government institutions, healthcare institutions and so on (Brym & Lie, 2009). 3.2.2 Social Roles Social roles are expectations linked to a specific status. A role specifies how individuals are expected to interact and behave in the society, depending on one’s status in a specific social situation. A role is a description of the details that an individual is supposed to follow for being in a specific status. Just as in the case of status, an individual can have more than one role. Social roles help in achieving the objectives of the society, hence play a crucial role in its stability (Brym & Lie, 2009). 3.2.3 Social Statuses Social statuses are defined position according to the society’s expectations. People tend to behave according to the society expectations of their status. Statuses also define how the owners interact with the others in the society. There are various types of statuses, for example, a teacher can at the same time be someone’s mother or father, a co-worker, a brother, or even a basketball coach (Brym & Lie, 2009). 4.0 Interpretation of the Social Issue 4.1 Considering the social Institutions Genetic engineering forms part of the social institutions for it is under one or more social institutions formed to ensure human and social needs are met. Genetic engineering is a new way in which pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical products can be manufactured. It holds the key to improving waste disposal, health care products, and food production among other issues (Brym & Lie, 2009; Springham, Moses & Cape, 2009). Genetic engineering is shown to be a good thing to the society. Hoban (n.d) indicates that it has been used to develop life saving drugs therefore, well supported in medicine. The use of the same biotechnology in creation of genetically modified food is however, given a different response. People do not want salad dressing, corn flakes, or any other foods that contain genetically engineered proteins. It has been established that the use of biotechnology to produce food has massive potential. There is a possibility of developing more nutritious foods, safer pesticides, and greater yields to feed the hungry around the world. Hoban (n.d) also envisions production of vitamin-enhanced crops, and broccoli and tomatoes developed with cancer fighting elements. Genetic engineering can be used to produce products such as peanuts, soy, and wheat that are free from allergens, and others that can deliver vaccines. There are some vegetables that can be genetically engineered to produce therapeutic ingredients. These can target diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and several other chronic diseases. From this perspective, it is clear that genetic engineering is a proposed solution to certain problems in the society. The problems are under health and agriculture. Considering these sections in the society, it is easy to classify them under specific structures or systems; such as the health care sector, or even under improving people’s livelihood (Hoban, n.d). 4.1.1 Genetic Engineering and Educational Sector Education is meant to provide people with the power to think objectively, and effectively. Education is meant to produce a literate, and a learned society. Education has been bringing people to full realization of what being human means. It is also indicated that the purpose of education is to serve social needs, develop intellect, create an effective workforce, to promote specific political or social system, to prepare students for their careers, and to contribute to the economy (Sadovnik, n.d). Schools and colleges are the main structures through which education is achieved, although there are other systems such as through experience, and specific education institutions. Through this obligation, universities and research institutions have taken up the role of ensuring promotion, and development of science and technology. This means that changes that occur in science and technology are also managed by the institutions. One of such change is the development of new technology in genomics and biotechnology. Genetic engineering is one of biotechnology’s techniques used to improve science, which eventually improves the lives of people in the society (Sadovnik, n.d). From this explanation, it is clear that one of the structures interrelated to genetic engineering is education. Education as a social structure has systems that collaborate with other social structures to ensure social problems are solved. An example is the need to eliminate hunger that drove scientists to turn to genetic engineering to produce enough food for the people. This shows collaboration between various social systems, such as agricultural, biotechnology, and health departments. There are management systems under each department that leads to decision making which eventually guide development. This proves the theory that the society is formed of structures that all work for its own good. Genetic engineering has its risks, like development of harmful proteins. As described above, there is government, and public interest groups’ involvement in ensuring it is not implemented in case it poses high risks to human health. This is also an indication of the relationship between biotechnology and other sectors of the society (Daizadeh, 2003). The relationship between biotechnology and other social structures is complex. Take an example of the following involvement of biotechnology into the society. Biotechnology means the translation of biological theories into engineering (Springham, Moses & Cape, 2009). Biological theories come from different educational fields, but a combination of fields such as biochemistry, physical chemistry, biology, molecular biology, and several other fields; lead to the decision to use genetic engineering to come up with solutions (Daizadeh, 2003). 4.2 Considering the Social Status Due to the need for the individuals and the society to meet human and social needs, different professions have been created. One of such professions is being a scientist. It is expected of a scientist to help solve the health, food security, and other social problems under their capacity. Scientists have been innovative, and have used new technology methods to help find such solutions. One of such new technology methods is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering therefore, is an element of a social structure that scientists use to achieve some aims of the society and individuals. 4.3 Considering Social Roles The roles ensure the survival of the statuses and the institutions. A teacher for example, ensures the existence and survival of educational institutions. The society has its purposes for education which in the long run, help it achieve its needs. The social role of a parent for example, is to ensure that the children are provided for, and well guided in terms of what is expected of them in the society. In accomplishing these roles, the children will be taken to school, and guided on how to behave in order to survive. In the current society, survival requires an individual to have a job. The profession will help the individual economically, but will also determine the social role. Just as explained in the status section, those who take up the scientific professions will be expected to fulfill the scientific needs of the society. Such are; finding new resources, developing drugs to help solve health problems, innovation in scientific development, and improvement of people’s livelihood through science. Genetic engineering is one of the methods through which scientists accomplish their missions. It is also one of their innovations. This clearly shows how genetic engineering forms part of the social structure. 4.4 References Andersen, M. and Taylor, H. (2012). Sociology: The Essentials. (7th Ed). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Appelrouth, S. and Edles, L. D. (2008). Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory: Text and Readings. California: Pine Forge Press. Brym, R. and Lie, J. (2009). Sociology: Your Compass for a New World, Brief Edition: Enhanced Edition. (2nd Ed). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Daizadeh, I. (2003). Integrating intellectual property within the organizational social structure. Nature Biotechnology 21: 573 – 575. Hoban, T. J. (n.d). Understanding and Building the Connections. Retrieved from: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/food-how-altered.html Sadovnik, A. R. (n.d). Sociology of Education. SAGE Knowledge. Retrieved from: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/leonguerrero4e/study/materials/reference/05434_socpersp.pdf Schiffman, R. (8 September 2013). The endless debate over genetic engineering. Reuters. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/09/us-debate-genetic-idUSBRE98802O20130909 Springham, D. G., Moses, V. and Cape, R. E. (2009). Biotechnology - The Science and the Business. (2nd Ed.). 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