Environmental Issue Part 2 Essay Examples

The Controversy over Genetically Modified Foods

The controversy over genetically modified foods has been on for years now. The debate on whether to use genetically modified foods or conventional foods is ongoing with some people in support while others are opposing. Genetically modified foods are foodstuffs produced from organisms which had their DNA altered through the process of genetic engineering. The main controversies related to GM foods are whether GM foods are safe for human use and for our ecosystem. Moreover, there is a controversy whether they should be labeled if they are pesticide resistant, and about their economic effects. In addition, there are alarms about the possible long-term effects of these foods since there is no sufficient research on this issue. Therefore, because of the above concerns, genetically modified foods should be regulated in the market. In addition, the regulation authority should make sure that they are labeled so that people may be aware of them while shopping. These foods have been around for some time, and it is unfortunate that many people are not aware that they are consuming them. It is important to regulate and label them until the above concerns are addressed, and there is sufficient evidence for their safety.
There are concerns over the use and consumption of genetically modified foods because of their potential health hazards. According to Dona and Arvanitoyannis, genetically modified foods are not safe for human use for they pose a grave health danger to the human health (2009). The pesticides built in the organisms are toxic, and this is evident that they can be harmful to the human health. In addition, there have been reports of allergic reactions from children who consumed GM foods, and this is hazardous to our children’s health. According to Pusztai, genetically modified foods have an acute allergic reaction because of their unpredictable toxins (2009).
Genetically modified foods are a serious threat to our ecosystem. With the use of GMOs, our environment is threatened because these foods are planted together with other regular crops. Therefore, there is a direct interaction between the plants, and this can lead to the passing of genes from the GMOs to the other regular crops. When this is done, undesired outcomes are formed, for instance, the super weeds. When these super weeds are developed, they cause a serious risk to the crops in the fields and the environment since they can lead to the emission of greenhouse gases. Another environmental concern of GMOs is the possible loss of the biodiversity of animals and plants. Therefore, these foods should be regulated and tested in order to preserve our ecosystem (Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2009).
Genetically modified foods are said to bring inequality in the market. The process of producing GM foods on the market is long and expensive. Therefore, most developed countries make lots of profits from GM foods while developing countries suffer since they cannot afford the cost of genetic foods. Furthermore, it affects farmers because, GM crops can contaminate organically grown, and conventional crops and most of them grow their crops for export. Therefore, if their crops are contaminated, it becomes difficult to export them to GMOs restricted countries.
Proponents of GM foods argue that, regulating and labeling them will cause unwarranted alarm to the consumers. In addition, according to the (AAAS), American Association for the Advancement of Science, GM foods pose no risk to human health and labeling them will mean that they are dangerous (2013). Moreover, they add that, these foods are tested and are good for human consumption and also in preserving the environment. They argue that, many studies that have gone wrong were not done on organisms for human consumption (Freedman, 2013). However, their arguments are overblown and misleading because, it is vital for these foods to be labeled. Consumers have every right to be aware if the food they are eating contains GMOs so as to make an informed choice. Additionally, GM foods pose serious and unknown health risks to our health because altering genes can have unidentified risks. Davison notes that, there is no scientific consensus on the long-standing safety of the use of GM foods (2010). Therefore, there is the need for further scientific and individual research on this technology to prove, their safety because the trial tests are done on animals first before they are allowed for human use. As a result, if they have proven to affect animals, they are deemed to affect humans too. One thing that is perceptible is that, there is a need for more information and research on GMOs as well as labeling the food to prove that they are not risky.
In conclusion, controversy over genetically modified foods is not ending soon. While there are many reasons supporting and against GM foods, it is imperative to prove that they cause no risk to our ecosystem and our health. Moreover, the regulators should ensure mandatory labeling of GM foods in the market. GM foods have proved to be dangerous to the environment and for human consumption. Besides, GMOs have brought inequality in the market, especially in developing countries. Therefore, all GM foods should be labeled and regulated in the market until all the concerns are addressed, and its safety proven.

References

Dona, A. and Arvanitoyannis, I. S. (2009). "Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 49 (2): 164–75.
Freedman, D. H. (2013). Are engineered foods evil? Scientific American, 309 (3), 80-85.
AAAS. (2013). Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors on Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods From http://www.aaas.org/news/statement-aaas-board-directors-labeling-genetically-modified-foods.
Davison, J. (2010). "GM plants: Science, politics and EC regulations". Plant Science 178 (2): 94–8.
Pusztai, A. (2009). Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? actionbioscience.org. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pusztai.html