Though traditional methods are commonly used to genetically modify foods, there are also new methods that have been developed using the modification of the genes of single cells using biotechnology.
One of these new methods is 'Identification and Isolation'. With this method, the main idea is that a bacterial enzyme is inserted into a plant of the scientists choice. This bacterial enzyme begins to operate in the plant, isolating the specific gene that the scientists require, and eating away all the waste products in the process. This leaves the scientists with only what is necessary and required. The Identification and Isolation method is used as an easier gene-extraction method. (Mark Tester).
The second new method is 'Single Celled Gene Transfers'. The method of Single Celled Gene Transfers includes scientists extracting a single cell embryo from a plant, and modifying the embryo so that it turns into a multi-cellular organism. After the embryo has turned into a full grown multi-cellular organism, scientists clone the organism at a certain stage in its life span (generally when it is at its healthiest). Scientists choose to clone the organism so that they can skip the growing period of the plant and produce it straight when it is fully grown. This method is used to minimize the possibility of invalid crops and to quicken the pace of crop production. (Tester, Mark).
Genetically Modified foods have both advantages and disadvantages. These altered foods solve numerous problems. Firstly, genetically modifying crops can enhance their quality and taste. GM crops, unlike natural crops, use less fertilizer, water and pesticides. These crops also have a short maturation time which quickens the pace of production and thus ables farmers to provide for a larger market without a problem. Genetic Modification opens the door to opportunities for growth and expansion as it allows you to produce crops at a larger scale than naturally produced plants would allow. This is because GM crops are produced much quicker than naturally grown plants. Secondly, Genetically Modified foods are even kind to our animals. Livestock that is fed GM foods yield better eggs, milk and meat. GM foods also increases the livestock's health and feeding efficiency and productivity. Thirdly, our environment also benefits from GM foods as GM foods contain friendly bioherbicides and biosecticides that do not harm the environment. Not only that, GM food conserve the lands water, energy and soil making it last longer than natural plants would have allowed it to.(Whitman, 2008). Gene Technology that is used to modify plants runs many large factories and employs thousands of workers. Therefore, without Gene Technology and without Genetically Modified foods, interest rates and food prices would go up and there would be a terrible loss of jobs. Gene Technology does not only employ a lot of people, but it also can put an end to world hunger. With increasing production, food prices would go lower and become even more affordable. GM foods are ideal for starving countries as they can be grown during a drought or even a famine. Genetically Modified foods also minimize the problem of invalid crops as scientists are only cloning healthy crops and mass producing plants with 'successful' genes. These methods are extremely beneficial to farmers as minimizing invalid crops means decreasing the possibility of loss of profit so less money and resources are spent on maintaining crops. Although Genetically Modified foods may seem like a gift from science, the risks involved in Genetically Modified foods is just as dominant as its benefits. (U.S Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 2008).
After much ethical evaluation and analysis of biotechnology, skeptics have come to a conclusion that there is a likelihood of biotechnology causing harm, and thus skeptics are encouraging the world to weigh the risks of GM foods against its probable benefits. There is only so much science can do to keep the technology of genetic modification under control and under full surveillance. For instance, a genetically engineered bacteria can be controlled and be placed under supervision in a commercial laboratory, but once the release of this genetically engineered bacteria in to natural environment has occurred, science can no longer control it. Conditions in a laboratory are controllable and appropriate safety measures can be taken and the modified bacteria can be prevented from escaping. The release of genetically engineered species into a non-surveyed environment has risks ranging from fixable to catastrophic, depending on the organisms' genetic nature, genetic modification and the purpose for which it was introduced. Thus, it is extremely risky to conduct crop modification in open plains. Due to the complexity of ecological systems, it is difficult to identify causes of environmental change. Scientists are not able to anticipate specific changes and thus there is a possibility that scientists have failed to detect some scientific observations. Without a richer development of the general science of ecology and specific ecological studies of the environments in which biotechnology is introduced, adequate risk assessments may be impossible. There is also an absence of adequate ecological study before the biotechnological interventions take place, linking to the fact that there is also an absence of commitment to long-term study after the biotechnology has been introduced, thus making ethical evaluation of risks and benefits incomplete. (Curtis, Naser).
Although one might think that the subject of Genetically Modified foods is one for farmers and scientists, economists do seem to get involved from time to time. In order for a farmer to keep his Genetically Modified crops in order, he must purchase chemicals and sterile seeds from chemical and biotech companies. This makes the farmers dependent on these companies, rather than standing on their own feet. Thousands of farmers depend on chemical and biotech companies to make their living, thus giving these companies the monopoly. Due to the fact that these companies have got the upper hand, many controversies, and benefits, have surfaced. Current engineering techniques claim that they have the methods and the machinery to create crops that will require less pesticide, but at the same time bring higher yields and more profitability. In August 2003, Zambia left its famine-stricken country hungry when it denied maize from the UN's World Food Program. In December 2005, Zambia finally gave in to the UN, after another famine had struck. Zambia boldly placed a ban on all genetically modified crops, claiming "we do not want GM (genetically modified) foods and our hope is that all of us can continue to produce non-GM foods." Minister of Agriculture, Mundia Sikatana. Before Zambia had succumbed to America's aid, Hug Chávez had announced a strict ban on all GM seeds in his country, Venezuela. Small countries are taking a large leap and speaking up against GM foods, but is the world listening? (Economical and Political Effects, 2008).
Though there are countless debates on whether or not Genetic Modification has environmental implications, scientists have proven that though GM foods fill our stomachs, they are stripping our environment. The plantation of Genetically Modified foods, bioengineered seeds and plants increases harsh herbicide and pesticide use. (The Lancelet, 2002). The residue of these chemicals remain on the crops and sinks into the soil harming those who ingest the crops and making the soil infertile. The plantation of GM foods has been known to cause 'super weeds' - a result of harsh toxins from pesticides sinking into the soil - that proved that toxins from harsh chemicals used to create GM foods remains in the soil for 18 months and can prospectively disturb the balance of nature. The weed problem was made worse when genes from the GM foods were being passed to the weeds. Scientists predicted that this problem would result in a high-cost for the farmers and can threaten the ecosystem. (Whitman, 2008). A new way of planting GM trees includes spraying a forest in order for the GM trees to receive its chemicals. However, this method resulted in total destruction of the surrounding forest life, all except for the GM trees. Some pests have grown immune to the toxic chemicals in GM crops and are spreading diseases to other crops killing the pests predators and unbalancing nature. GM crops are also known to have genetic pollution being carried out by pollen by the wind - and before you know it, the whole food chain is involved. Unlike chemical pollution, how ever, there is no clean up or reconciling for the genetic pollution that GM foods cause. (U.S Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 2008).
Being such big players, the molecular biologists and bio technicians that invented genetic modification are bound to be seized into the political world. At the moment, Biotechnology is ahead in the game due to the mass production of GM foods. Politics reveals that opponents of current genetic engineering are claiming that there has been a massive 'power shift' in Agriculture that leans towards biotechnology due to the increasing number of GM crops produced each year. (Nigel,2003). Biotech opponents fear that biotechnology is gaining too much control over production and the farmers that buy their products. Bio and gene technology is, without a doubt, dominating the food production market. The producers of genetically modified foods are trying to silence their opponents by claiming that, if given the chance and allowed dominance, their products have the innovation and the capability and capacity to stop world hunger. Opponents and skeptics think that bio-technicians are biting of more then they can chew and feel as though world starvation has more to do with inadequate wealth distribution rather than domination of food companies. They also believe that biotechnology is committing biopiracy due to the fact that they are committing foreign exploitation of natural resources. (Economical and Political Effects, 2008).
Many ethical questions have been raised concerning new genetically modifying technology and animals. Now that scientists have proved that they are able to extract genes from an animal, like they do with plants when they want to genetically modify it, and clone that animal from those genes. The world fears that this GM technology cannot be trusted in human hands. They are suspicious that this new technology will be used as an instrument for the manipulation of human genetics. They feel as though sciences well-meaning actions in creating GM foods will take a toll for the worse and come to an objectionable end and damage human life as an unforeseen consequence. The world is afraid that ethics will not be respected and that there cannot limit the damage if such a great power is placed in human hands. Humans are still not intellectual enough or innocent enough to be trusted. Other cultural groups feel as though scientists have no right to genetically alter nature, especially if done for only profit and convenience. Non-vegetarians and vegetarians alike find it offensive that scientists insert animal genes into plants and even more offensive that they are actually ingesting and consuming these animal genes. The inserting of animal genes into plants and vice versa also causes complications among a number of religious groups. (U.S Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research, 2008).
Biotechnology has promised the world many benefits through genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods have definitely delivered their promise in the form improved storage and nutritional quality of food, pest and disease resistance, selective herbicide resistance, tolerance of temperature, saline and water extremes, enhanced animal wellbeing and higher yields and increased quality of yields. Genetically modified foods have the potential to solve world hunger and malnutrition problems, help protect the environment, and reduce reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Although genetically modified foods promise the world a lot of benefits, scientists still have yet to conduct in depth research and need to assess the potential risks that genetically modified foods can cause. Not until scientists conduct studies and surveys to prove that genetically modified foods are not a threat to human beings health and the worlds ecosystems, will the debate over the release of GM chemicals cease to exist. Despite the fact that GM foods have a number of inviting benefits such as it being a cheaper substitute, it is still debatable that living organisms like plants are complex and thus tampering with such life forms can have unintentional effects. Fortunately, the worlds common interest is being supported by concerned scientists organizations, like Friends of the Earth, who demand mandatory labeling on all food products. It is organizations like these that inspire us to step up and take a stand against genetically modified foods. Just remember: one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind.(Whitman, 2008).
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