Astronomy Paper on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Abstract
In response to the starvation challenges in most parts of the globe, scientists invented GMO products that are affordable. These organisms bring harm to both man and the natural surroundings. The process of determining the safety of GMOs and their long-term effects on human health are full of bias, and consumers are unaware of the risks involved in consuming GMOs. It is unethical for the GMO companies to withhold such vital information from customers due to their greed to make money. Technological know-how will necessitate the improvement of GMOs. In the meantime, the government should pressurize the GMO companies to focus n delivering quality to the end user
Background
Human nature is exploratory as man tries to invent new methods of making life easier by exercising control over the universe. In the 50, 000 B.C., for instance, humans started the domestication of animals before evolving into an agriculture-oriented society where they bred various plant species to realize new varieties with superior qualities. These practices take a new direction with time more so because of the increased knowledge in breeding and technology.
In the modern age, engineers and scientists can employ their technological know-how to alter the genetic composition of a species. The process, aimed at increasing the food supply for the otherwise overpopulated world raises many ethical concerns and issues of safety which require an in-depth analysis. In the current era, global population has increased to unmanageable levels which lead to cases of starvation, especially in the third world countries. The challenges of food deprivation lead humans to recognize GMOs as the solution to saving the world from hunger. However, GMO has not proved the solution yet due to its many setbacks such as environmental pollution which bring about health complications.
Introduction
GMO is a significant topic because of the controversy surrounding it. Some people argue that GMO foods deliver many benefits both to the users and the nation while others believe these products are life threatening and humans should thus keep away from them. It is thus important to discuss the topic since life is a valuable asset that man needs to safeguard by avoiding any threats that could lead to its loss.
Most of the health conditions result from unhealthy diets hence the need to have the proper information about the dangers or benefits contained in the GMO foods. The natural surroundings deserve good care, yet most of the human-made activities such as the GMO agricultural processes make these environments unfavorable for human survival as illustrated in figure (i) below. The public thus needs a manual to understand and practice safe environment maintenance (Burachik 589). GMOS relate to the environment hence the need to discuss the benefits or cons that the process of breeding these organisms could pose to the surroundings.
Figure (i)
The Objectives of GMOs
GMO products are cheap to buy besides having a high nutritional value and can stay fresh for an extended period. The scientists behind the invention of GMOs hoped to deliver products that would benefit both the producer and consumer. They thus keep on making modifications to GMOs to achieve maximum benefits provided directly to the farmer and consumer. The core objective of the GMO practice is to yield plants and animals of desirable characteristics such as highly productive, high resistance to diseases and pests, and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
GMO and Human Health
Some of the adverse effects likely to emerge due to the consumption of GMOs include allergic reactions (Key et al. 291). Scientists discourage farmers from transferring the genes of an allergenic organism to a non-allergenic one. As a result, they have invented a demonstration that confirms the non-allergenic status of the transferred gene. However, the test that checks whether the transferred genes contain a non-allergenic protein product does not include the foods bred through the traditional methodology. In response to this shortcoming, FAO and WHO have carried out an evaluation of the GMOs testing. The results from the market research prove that the GMOs trading in the current markets do not have any allergic effects. The testing regulations have increased the producers’ caution in ensuring the transferred genes are free from allergy causing elements.
Ethical Concerns
Whether the GMOS undergo quality testing to determine their safety for human consumption is a moral concern. Genetic engineering is one of the recent developments in the natural science field hence the challenge in determining the long-term effects likely to emerge from the consumption of GMO goods. Researchers need time to confirm what conditions could result from taking GMO products and gear their efforts towards improving the GMOs and eliminating any adverse effects (Key et al. 294). The developers of GMOs must exercise ethical responsibility by warning the consumers of the lack of long-term testing of the products which should be clearly visible on the labels (Amin et al. 12461). Figure (ii) below shows an example of a label informing the buyer of GMO elements in the packed food.
Figure (ii)
Some firms such as Monsanto have made efforts to test the long-term effects of GMOs, but their efforts have not borne any fruit. Whenever their findings indicate a possible negative outcome, the financiers withdraw their support and give it to other studies that insist the GMOs are safe. The bias is an indication that testing is in the interest of the GMO producing companies instead of the consumers. The producers care more about making a profit at the expense of the customers’ health. The completed testing is full of bias hence invalid in determining the long-term effects of GMOs on human health. It is unethical to deny the consumers vital information regarding the safety of the genetically engineered foods.
The Future of GMO
Technological advancement is moving at an alarming rate hence the possibility of more interventions in the quality of the GMOs. For instance, scientists might succeed in producing plants and animals that resist all categories of diseases and can thrive well in unfavorable weather conditions. It is also likely that the GMO foods will have an increased nutritional value besides the fish species developing critical growth traits. Other sectors such as the medical fields could reap the benefits of GMOs. For instance, scientists might discover plant and animal species capable of producing essential proteins which are rich in pharmaceutical values, for example, creating new vaccines.
Summary
The objective of GMOs was to provide a food solution to the overpopulated world. However, GMOs have adverse effects such as contributing to health complications and polluting the environment. The research to establish the safety of GMOs is full of bias, and consumers are unaware of the long-term effects of the consumption GMOs. In future, GMOs are likely to become more advanced due to the technological development characterizing the modern era.
Conclusion
GMOs are hazardous to humans and their surroundings. Scientists do not need to alter the natural universe with their scientific knowledge since they do more harm than good. It is unethical for humans to make alterations to a plant or animal that they cannot create. GMOs do not give any advantages to the end consumer or the environment but have generated massive revenue for some individuals driven by greed such as the GMO companies. Whereas GMOS could be beneficial to humankind in several ways, the drivers have not exercised the extreme caution in realizing these potentials since their concern is to make a living out of it and not to save humans from hunger by giving the adequate quality food.
Works Cited
Key, Suzie, Julian KC Ma, and Pascal MW Drake. “Genetically modified plants and human health.” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 101.6 (2008): 290-298.
Burachik, Moisés. “Experience from use of GMOs in Argentinian agriculture, economy and environment.” New biotechnology 27.5 (2010): 588-592.
Amin, Latifah, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, and Hasrizul Hashim. “Ethical perception of cross-species gene transfer in plant.” African Journal of Biotechnology 10.58 (2011): 12457-12468.