Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?

Introduction and Research Proposal

The usefulness and harmfulness of genetically modified (GM) foods in human consumption is a continuing debate. Genetically modified foods have been used to tackle the problem of food shortage caused by the world's ever-growing population. This raises the question of whether alternative approaches can address food insecurity without resorting to the genetic modification of organisms.

Statement of Purpose

The central problem of this research is whether the consumption and production of genetically modified foods poses more harm than good to people and other aspects of their social lives. There are advantages that seem to address a major global issue — food security. Yet it must be asked whether tackling that one major problem justifies exposing ourselves to the smaller problems that arise from the consumption and production of GM foods.

Background

Since genetically modified foods entered the market, debates have persisted regarding whether their consumption is beneficial or harmful to consumers and the environment. Genetically modified foods are products obtained from organisms whose genetic codes have been altered through genetic engineering, enabling them to acquire desirable traits. Debate has centered on the ethics of altering genetic codes, the health risks posed to consumers, and the economic and environmental effects of GM food production.

This research was inspired by reports that Australia banned the planting of genetically modified food crops from 2003 to 2008, and that India placed a hold on the production of its first genetically modified food crop — eggplants — due to safety concerns about its effects on people and the environment (BBC). Meanwhile, large numbers of people continue to die from hunger and hunger-related complications, a problem that sufficient food production could help solve.

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to gain further insight into the subject of genetically modified foods and to provide people with easy access to correctly researched information. The goal is to educate the public on the production, advantages, and disadvantages of genetically modified foods.

Objectives and Hypothesis

Given the debate surrounding the production and consumption of genetically modified foods, it is important to examine the pros and cons of these foods against the side effects of their consumption and production. This will enable people to decide for themselves whether the benefits are worth the potential harm posed to the planet and its inhabitants. The specific objectives of this research are:

• To identify the beneficiaries of the production of genetically modified foods.
• To determine which countries use genetically modified foods.
• To identify ways in which people can be educated on the benefits of genetically modified food production.
• To examine what goes into the production of genetically modified foods.
• To assess how effective the methods used to test the safety of genetically modified foods are in ruling out harmful side effects.
• To identify the benefits and harms that arise from the use of genetically modified foods.

Hypothesis: The production of genetically modified crops appears to show more proven benefits than proven side effects, and these benefits stand to help the entire human race as well as the earth in the long run.

Methodology

The research will use internet sources and other publications that address the benefits and dangers posed by the consumption and production of genetically modified foods. This information will be used to compile a set of benefits and dangers associated with these foods. An internet-based research approach was chosen because collecting information through interviews with specialists would be time-consuming and expensive. The research will require approximately two weeks for locating publications that highlight the benefits and dangers of genetically modified foods, and for identifying viable websites and online publications.

Expected Problems

Due to the lack of test results definitively disproving claims of danger from the consumption and production of genetically engineered crops, it will be difficult to find literature proving that genetically modified foods are entirely safe. There is also an expected scarcity of publications on genetically modified food toxicity. No peer-reviewed clinical studies on how genetically modified foods affect human health have been published, and even tests performed on animals are few and far between.

Proposal Conclusions and Recommendations

The debate over genetically modified foods will continue until alternative methods of ensuring food security are found, or until the problems arising from GM food consumption are adequately addressed. Public education and the provision of informative, detailed literature about genetically modified foods are strongly recommended.

Works Cited

Charles, Dan. Agriculture Department Probes Rice Flap. 6 Jan. 2007. 11 May 2010. <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6734070>

Cook, Guy. Genetically Modified Language: The Discourse of Arguments for GM Crops and Food. California: Routledge, 2004.

Fumento, Michael. Golden Rice — a Golden Chance for the Underdeveloped World. Washington D.C.: American Outlook, 2001.

"India Puts on Hold First GM Food Crop on Safety Grounds." BBC. 16 Jan. 2010. 11 May 2010. <

Kaplan, David M. What's Wrong with Genetically Modified Food? Ethical Issues of the 21st Century. Ed. Frederick Adams. Brooklyn: [University], 2004.

Klintman, Mikael. The Genetically Modified (GM) Food Labelling Controversy: Ideological and Epistemic Crossovers. New York: Sage Publications Ltd., 2002.

Pusztai, Arpad. Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? 16 Jan. 2010. 11 May 2010. <

Streit, L.G. "Association of the Brazil Nut Protein Gene and Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitor Alleles with Soybean Protease Inhibitor Activity and Agronomic Traits." Crop Sci. 41 (2001): 1757–1760.

Villar, Lopez, and Bill Freese. Who Benefits from GM Crops? Amsterdam: Friends of the Earth International, 2008.