Example Of Article Review On The Ethical Dilemma Of Genetically Modified Food By Valeria Jefferson

Genetically modified food is viewed as a serious threat to humanity, and it is also viewed as a solution to the ever-increasing global population and hunger in developing countries. It is viewed as a threat due to the use of pesticide. This has led to the ethical dilemma due to the two opposing point of views. It will be difficult to resolve whether the consequences that may occur in future due consumption of this products by animals, humans and the ecosystem will out weight the benefits of supplying the global world with genetically modified food. The modification of plants and animals has been practiced by gene modification by the use of breeding before the concept of genetic engineering came to practice. These two methods produce the same desired results only that breeding takes a longer time to get results. Gene modification involves the transfer of individually selected genes from one organism to another between a plants and animals only but not both. In genetic engineering genes can be transferred between any organisms. The term genetically modified is used to describe animals and plants and micro organisms that had DNA introduced into them by other means except that of egg and sperm or by natural bacterial coagulation. (Institute of Food Science & Technology, 2004). For example, the genetic structure of a plant can be changed to produce an insect resistant plant. Bacterial, animals and Plants can also be genetically engineered to produce desired nutrients.
The government national food supply approval of genetically modified food leads to opponents arguing that the government is violating the consumer and religious rights of its citizens while the proponents support that social and economic benefits outweigh the negative consequences. Genetically modified food is more resistant to drought, cold, and pests and grows faster and bigger than none genetically modified food. This in turn helps the environment by reducing the use of herbicides and pesticides. Genetically modified food may also reduce the mortality rate caused directly by hunger. Thus, it is viewed as a solution to the developing world dealing with hunger and malnutrition. The GMF can be used to meet agricultural needs associated with population increase. On the other hand, gene manipulation may have irreversible effects that may be harmful to animals, human and the ecosystem. For example, animals may suffer as a result of genetic modification of their genetic material. Specifies characteristics such as a hereditary material of germplasm may be lost through bioengineering. The next question would be whether the damage caused by pesticides to the environment ids of many effects as compared to that of narrowing of the germ plasm. The societal cost associated with the rapid destruction agricultural productive capacity and that of natural habitats in developing countries. Greater emphasis should be placed on conservation of germplasm through international cooperation by placing emphasis on development and maintenance of stable biological communities in the natural environment should be a priority (U.S department of agriculture, 2001). Biogenetic plants also pose a great concern when it comes to the pollen produced by 6this plants as the new genes cannot be contained. This may lead to pollution of natural crops and wild plants may occur. Genetic pollution may occur from accidental or deliberate release of genetically modified bacterial to the environment.

Works cited

Jefferson, Valeria. "The ethical dilemma of genetically modified food." The Free Library 01 July 2006. 26 January 2015
'Food Fray: Inside The Controversy Over Genetically Modified Food'. Choice Reviews Online 46.10 (2009): 46-5610-46-5610. Web.