Genetically Modified Foods - Research Paper Example

Sur Supervisor 11th June, Genetically Modified Foods Introduction Genetically modified foods also known as biotech foods are foods that are manufactured artificially. Unlike other natural foods, genetically modified foods are produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Most genetically modified foods produced by genetically modified organisms are crops. The crops produced from genetically modified organisms include maize, wheat, beans, tomatoes and rice to mention but a few. GMOs are organisms that had changes in their bodies which were done by the introduction of some hormones into their bodies (Halford 2003). These changes were different from the mutational changes that are done to other organisms by genetic engineers. The commercial selling of genetic modified food products is believed to have begun in 1994. Scientists or rather genetic engineers began to produce genetically modified crops because they wanted to curb the increasing global hunger by then. The genetically modified crops undergo faster growth unlike the natural crops (Halford 2003). Therefore, this helped to curb the menace of hunger. Genetically produced crops are also resistant to pathogens and other types of pests. This makes them to be produced in large amounts enough to cater for the rising world population. It was also found out that the natural crops lacked some nutrients such as iron and calcium. Therefore, the production of GMOs began since they produced extra nutrients which were helpful to children and pregnant mothers. However, after some years, the production of genetically modified food products faced strong opposition from world organizations. The organizations argued that the food products caused serious effects on the health of human beings and even animals. By the year 2010, there was a decline in the production of genetically modified food products. This documented research paper discusses about groups, organizations and societies that have previously given their perspectives about genetically produced crops. The paper also discusses the proposed methods of addressing the problems caused by genetically modified food according to the groups and organizations. The paper also discusses the negative and positive impacts of genetically produced foods on the human population globally. In addition, the paper also discusses the possible solutions to the problems caused by the genetically produced food products. Opposing viewpoint There have been campaigns which encourage the supply of genetically modified products in the global market. Several organizations such as the European Union began to oppose the commercial sale of the products because the organization believed that the products were not good for human health. Several scientists were against the idea to encourage the production of genetically modified food products. However, one scientist who was popular because of his pro GMO campaigns was known as Thierry Vrain. Vrain in his campaigns gave alternative perspectives and proposed different methods of addressing the issue of genetically modified food products. To begin with, Vrain suggested that the growth of natural crops through irrigation is tiresome and hence should not be enhanced. He also suggested that the sale of genetically modified food products should be enhanced globally. Vrain also supported biotechnology which encouraged the production of genetically modified food products. He proved his stand by withdrawing from a group of scientists who held meetings to campaign against the genetically modification of food products. However, according to this documented research paper, Vrain’s stand on genetically modified food products is found to be invalid. This is because the naturally grown crops such as maize, wheat, tomatoes, and beans among others were found to be very healthy and of good quality (Halford 2003). Especially among pregnant mothers and young children, they were discovered to provide certain nutrients such as iron and calcium which are not found in genetically modified food products. Thus, food products from natural crops are very important and beneficial to pregnant mothers and young children. Therefore, the production of genetically modified food products should be discouraged. Some people support Vrain in his stand for the genetically modified products. Therefore, he should include certain information in support of his argument. According to several organizations and societies such as the Union of the German Academies of Science and Humanities, foods products that are found of good quality and that are approved by various organizations are considered to be safe for humans and animals. The union of German Academies of Science and Humanities believes that Approved genetically modified crops do not pose environmental hazards. The union also argues that several small scale farmers globally get a lot of profits from the growth of genetically modified crops. This has helped a great deal to reduce the poverty levels among people globally. The union argues that if the production of genetically modified crops is enhanced globally, this will be a major contribution to the quantity and quality of food in the world. In addition, farmers should be given their freedom of choice to produce any type of crop they prefer and that they find very profitable to them. Vrain should include all these advantages of genetically modified products to make his argument acceptable among people. On the contrary, Vrain’s argument is termed as a failure. It is evident that the consumption of the products has some negative effects on human health. Genetically modified products have several negative impacts on human health (Halford 2003). These impacts include deaths, food allergy reactions, viral and bacterial illnesses, allergic reactions, birth defects, shorter life spans and lowered nutrition. Therefore, to some extent, Smith’s argument is a failure. This is because instead of encouraging the production of genetically modified products, the products should be discouraged. Statistics According to research done in several nations that encourage the consumption of genetically modified food products, it was discovered that the products have both positive and negative impacts on human population. To begin with, genetically production of food products was found to have positive impacts on the human population. First, the products were found to be of good quality thereby improving the quality of food globally. Secondly, the products were produced in large quantities hence the amount of food was found to be sufficient to curb cases of famine and hunger. It was also discovered that the small scale farmers who grew the genetically modified crops got their yields faster and this enabled them to get big profits. As compared to other farmers who grow natural crops, the demand for the genetically produced products was found to be very high because of the extra nutrients the products have. Genetically produced crops require technology during their manufacture and production. In the long run, this increases or enhances technological development in the countries that produce genetically produced crops. During the research, it was also found that production of genetically produced crops enhances trade among countries. For example, Brazil was found to be a producer of genetically modified crops. These crops are thereafter exported to other countries such as the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, according to the research, genetically modified food products have several negative impacts on human population (Halford 2003). To begin with, the products have bad effects on human health such as allergic reactions, deaths, birth defects, shorter life spans and lowered nutrition. The products were also discovered to have negative effects on the environment such as toxicity to soil, pollution, reduction of soil fertility and extinction of certain seed varieties. In addition, the genetically modified crops were observed to have negative effects on farming. These negative effects on farming included destruction of self-sufficient farms, economic harm to small scale farmers and less diversified farming. The economy of world countries was also found to be at risk due to the production of the genetically modified products. The risk to the economy was found to be caused by deaths that result from consumption of the products. Some countries were also found to be dependent on other countries. With all these evidences and statistics, this research evidence found out that the production of genetically modified products should be discouraged. In the modern generation, the most important things in the world are human health, environmental conservation and economical stability. If the production of genetically modified food products are discouraged, human health problems will decrease and environmental conservation will be enhanced Solutions According to several organizations, societies, groups and scientists, genetically modified food products should not be encouraged. This is because of the several negative impacts that are caused by the products. Therefore, international organizations have suggested solutions that will lead to the stoppage of the production of genetically modified products. To begin with, the production and growth of natural crops should be encouraged globally. Secondly, trade of the genetically modified products among countries should be banned. In addition, awareness campaigns on the effects of the genetically modified food products should be done globally. Economic sanctions should also be placed on countries that continue with or encourage the manufacture of the genetically modified products. If all these measures are put in place, the negative effects of the products such as deaths, environmental pollution among others resulting from the production of the genetically modified products will have been solved. Conclusion To recap it all, according to this research, production and manufacture of genetically modified food products should be abolished or stopped. This is because the practice has several negative effects on human health, environment, farming and world economy as discussed above. Therefore, countries should embrace this call to stop this practice. This will enhance good relations among countries and the number of deaths resulting from consumption of the products recorded annually will decrease. Although there are some advantages of the practice, the most important thing in the world in the modern generation is good human health, healthy environment and stable economy. Work-cited Nigel G. Halford. “Genetically Modified Crops”. (2003). Imperial College Press Read More