This is a three page paper, and it is about one type of genetic technology that is controversial. The topic selected for discussion is genetically modified organisms, and genetically modified food in particular. The paper is divided into sub-sections. The first section introduces the technology and provides a rational for its selection. The second section describes the biological basis of the technology, and is followed by information about the ethical controversy.
Genetically Modified Foods: Rational for Topic Selection
Genetically modified foods are frequently in the mainstream media, making them a highly relevant topic of discussion in the areas of genetic science and gene technologies. As with most technologies and techniques related to genetic science, genetically modified foods are controversial and thus politically charged issues. It is important to be armed with facts before forming an opinion about whether or not genetically modified foods are acceptable, feasible, or ethical.
Biological Basis
Genetically modified foods refers to organic foodstuffs -- plants and animals -- "whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally," (World Health Organization, 2013). However, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can also include medicines and vaccines (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013). The primary process used to modify the genes of organisms is called recombitant DNA technology; as the term suggests, recombitant DNA technology involves recombining DNA molecules in ways pre-determined by the scientists. Using recombitant DNA technology, select genetic traits from various different organisms can be actively selected. Locating those traits on the DNA is the most challenging step in the process of genetic engineering of foods, but gene sequencing technologies and related software applications are making the task easier (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013).
2b. Social and Ethical Implications
The rapid increase in the use of genetically modified foods around the world makes it important to examine the social and ethical implications. According to the United States Department of Energy's Office of Science (2013), genetically modified crops have been planted in 22 different countries. The United States has planted the most genetically modified crops, followed by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and China (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013). China is rapidly increasing its use of genetically modified organisms and is soon to be a "world leader" in the use of GMOs ("Genetically modified crops gaining ground in China: Report," 2013). Because GMOs are becoming more common around the world, consumers will inevitably be eating genetically modified organisms whether they like it or not -- something that raises serious ethical concerns.
This is why labeling of genetically modified organisms is a key source of the controversy surrounding the technology. The "right-to-know" is therefore one of the most important ethical issues surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms. Europe is nearly unanimous in its suspicion about genetically modified organisms; whereas the United States and China have spearheaded the technology and resist efforts to label. As Hiatt & Park (2012) found, though, special interest groups representing major stakeholders in the for-profit companies that sponsor the sale and distribution of GMOs have been pressuring government agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture and ensuring that the technology remains unhindered.
On the other side of the argument are those who argue in favor of genetically modified organisms for their potential ethical and social benefits. Genetic modification of plants can theoretically mean higher crop yields, via the development of desirable traits in crops such as disease or drought resistance. Some of the currently available genetically modified crops are designed to be higher in nutritional content than their natural counterparts. More adventurous genetic engineers are considering fusing genes "that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly; cows that are resistant to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)," with potential net benefits to the consumer and the global community (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013).
2c. Personal Viewpoint
Arguments in favor of the use of genetically modified organisms reveal potential benefits that are difficult to ignore. It is tempting to believe that genetic modification of foods will reduce poverty and malnutrition around the world, or reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, there are currently more reasons to use caution with GMOs than there are reasons to embrace the technology wholeheartedly. For one, companies that produce genetically modified foods patent their products. This in itself can cause major problems in the future related to food availability and food security. Lawsuits against companies like Monstanto have proven that there are major legal and ethical concerns with patenting seeds. The fact that for-profit organizations could have greater control over food production is a frightening proposition, and could outweigh the potential benefits of theoretically improving crop yields worldwide. Moreover, the potential improvements in crop yields are as of yet still theoretical as the technology has not been used long enough to determine whether the results will be fruitful.
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