Genetic engineering and world hunger: evaluating competing arguments

¶ … Genetic Engineering the Answer to Hunger

Over the last several years, the issue of genetic engineering, as a way to address the growing world hunger problem has been increasingly brought to the forefront. Simply put, genetic engineering is when you are manipulating the DNA in various genes to: create different desirable traits in the organism. In the case of plants and livestock, scientists have figured out way to be able to create certain traits that will produce larger organisms, which can be used to feed to consumers. This has caused many proponents to argue that you will stronger crop yields. (Cohen, 2010, pp. 4 -- 9) This is significant, because it is illustrating how many people believe that genetic engineering can address the various hunger related issues.

However, there are also those individuals that claim that genetic engineering will not be able to tackle these challenges. The reason why, is because they argue that this is not dealing with the underlying causes of the problem. Most notably the issues of: global warming and corrupt governments. These two issues have been contributing to: many of the various famines and droughts that have been occurring around the globe. What is happening is that, many of the droughts in select regions have been having a direct impact on: crop yields and livestock production. At the same time, those areas in the poorer regions of the world have corrupt governments that will often limit the amount of available food supplies (in specific geographic locations). Once this begins to take place, it means that there will be challenges in ensuring that everyone has access to the various food resources. (FAO, 2005, pp. 4 -- 14) This is problematic, because many critics will argue that genetic engineering cannot possibly address the underlying causes of famine. Where, the above factors will have an impact on: the available food supply and how much of it ordinary people will have access to. As a result, many critics will argue that genetic engineering cannot possibly deal with these challenges. This is significant because, it is illustrating how there are two different viewpoints of: the impact that genetic engineering can have on world hunger. To fully understand the various opinions requires: comparing the arguments that are presented by both sides. Once this takes place, it will provide the greatest insights as to if genetic engineering is part of the solution for addressing the challenges of world hunger.

The Views of Proponents

The biggest argument that many of the proponent of genetic engineering will make, is that it is creating the kinds of foods that are: resistant to various diseases and weather conditions. This is because the genes are being modified to the point, that many of the organisms are able to withstand the impact of changes that are taking place from the environment. Once this begins to occur, it means that many people will be able to grow foods in areas that could be drier (which may not have been possible). (Cohen, 2010, pp. 26 -- 34)

At the same time, modifying these different traits means, that food will able to stay fresh longer during transportation to its final destination. One of the biggest challenges when delivering any kind of food products to markets are: that there is a limited amount of self life. Where, producers as well as distributors only have a certain amount of time to: sell select meats, plants and vegetables to consumers. Otherwise, the food will begin to rot and they will have to throw it away. With genetic engineering, you can be able to address these issues by: modifying the genes enough that food will be able to hold its taste longer. Once this occurs, it means that it will be fresher and can be transported farther. This will cause food prices to decline, by ensuring that areas which have poor food distribution systems will receive a larger supply. At which point, the underlying prices will begin to drop. The fact, that these crops can be grown in adverse conditions (in comparison with non- genetically modified plants); means that these regions will also have the resources to grow their own food. When you put these two different elements together, this will cause the overall supplies in the area to increase. As, many of the poor will not have to: rely on corrupt governments. This is because these plants can be able to give them the ability to support themselves. Over the course of time, this will have a dramatic impact upon addressing the problems surrounding world hunger. (Cohen, 2010, pp. 26 -- 34)

A second argument that many proponents of genetic engineering will make is that is can produce crops that are safer to eat. In many regions of the world, a variety of pesticides are used to kill for bugs and insects. This can result in a reduction in: the overall quality of food that is being produced and many of the different insects (in an environment) can become immune to use of the different chemicals. At the same time, some pesticides (such as: DDT) have been proven to lead to a number of health risks in consumers. Given the fact, that worldwide food production is expected to increase by 250% in year 2050, means that new sources must be utilized that can address these issues. Genetically modified foods will increase the number of available strains. This will help to keep up with the rising demand, by providing farmers with more choices about the kind of plants they can grow. (Roberts, 2001, pp. 42 -- 53)

Conclusion

When you step back and analyze what is taking place, it is clear that both sides are making compelling arguments about the overall impact of genetic engineering. One on hand, you have various proponents who will argue that this will address these kinds of issues. This is because you are modifying the DNA enough, that are creating changes in the way various organisms are responding to their environment. Over the course of time, this will have a positive impact on world hunger by: ensuring that there are more available strains of plants, the organisms are able to cope with the extreme weather conditions, there are larger crop yields and many products will stay fresh longer. These different factors are important, because they are showing how genetic engineering can address the fundamental problems affecting many different regions of the world. As, this will provide: developed and developing nations with greater choices about their food supply. Once this takes place, it means that this will have a positive impact upon the issue of world hunger by: making certain that there are enough available supplies and strains to address this problem in the future.

At the same time, many critics will argue that these kinds of foods will lead to more problems down the road. This is because, many proponents are fooled into believing that genetic engineering will address all of these issues; based upon the law of supply and demand. However, many critics will argue that various famines have occurred, despite the fact that there were more than enough supplies to feed the entire planet. As, they will often cite how: during the 1990's and early 2000's the total supplies of food were enough to feed 8 billion people. Even though, there were only 6 billion people living on the planet and 900 million were starving during that time. This is problematic, because many critics will argue that genetic engineering will not address the underlying problems affecting world hunger. The reason why, is because there fundamental issues to include: inequality, corruption and poor food distribution systems that will only make the situation worse. Until these kinds of issues are addressed, the underlying challenges will continue to remain the same. This is because there are fundamental flaws in the world food distribution system.

As a result, the two sides are making sound arguments about: the overall benefits and drawbacks of genetic engineering in tackling world hunger. However, the reality is that both are right and wrong to a certain extent. In the case of proponents, they are correct in that this can increase the available supply and produce organisms that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Yet, this will not solve the issues. The reason why, is because the critics are correct in that there are fundamental problems with the world food distribution system. This means that until these kinds of issues are being addressed, we can look forward to more of the same types of challenges. As there will be larger supplies and choices for everyone, but the overall access to these products will be limited. Therefore, genetic engineering is only one part of the total solution in addressing these issues in the future.