This article focuses on Genetically Modified Organisms as they are used to produce human food in the contemporary world. Genetically Modified Organisms are the ones whose genetic make-up has been changed or modified using genetic modifications to fit certain standards or requirements. Genetic modification is a common practice which is applied all over the world in ensuring that biological or agricultural products bearing the desirable physiological traits are produced. In other words, the GM technology, which is also applicable to animals, is the practice of breeding chosen individuals of a particular species with the aim of generating offspring that possess desirable traits.
Today Genetically Modified Organisms are widely applied in various sectors that are affiliated to human wellbeing and development. These fields or sectors would include, but are not limited to, agriculture, experimental medicine or research, biomedical study, and environment management. In spite of the intended role and benefits of Genetically Modified technology, it has triggered a lot of controversy in the world. These varied perceptions would range from ethical matters arising from the involved processes, to concerns of whether it is really healthy to consume food which has been generated using the GM technology. Even though the idea of using GMOs to produce food for human consumption brings immense benefits to society, its associated dangers on human health and the environment have been a significant drawback.
As it would be observed, matters of human health and safety of the environment have continued to raise the biggest concerns as far as the use of Genetically Modified Organisms in food production is concerned. This approach has played a crucial role in boosting agricultural productivity in most parts of the world, thus helping to meet the heightening demands for increased production of food worldwide. This technology, however, poses great potential risks and dangers for human beings and the environment through a number of ways.
As a matter of fact, the GM approach is a relatively new technology which had greeted the world in the dawn of the technological era, and therefore, has not been time tested to identify all the potential risks it is likely to bring on human health and the environment in the long term. Based on this observation, it is obviously clear that this trend also has a number of potential unknown risks on human health. Some of the common health risks that have been linked to genetically modified organisms usually occur in the form of toxicities and allergies. For example, life threatening allergies resulting from Genetically Modified Foods have been observed from a greater percentage of young people in Europe and the USA. These types of organisms are also said to possess the potential of producing undesirable crop proteins, among other unintended outcomes, thus raising much concern about their possibility to cause harm to susceptible individuals.
There are also concerns that introduction of foreign genetic elements into plants is likely to generate unexpected impacts on human health. This has been proven using previous experiments where animals such as monkeys and rats have been used in testing GM foods and organisms. It has also been shown that, genetically modified plants would in most cases have lower nutritional quality when compared to foods that have been produced using other means of agricultural intensification (Chiras 78). This claim can be confirmed using various examples in regard with the matter. For instance, it has been observed that the levels of phytate commonly found in grains and seeds will tend to increase abundantly as a result of a gene insertion, thus bringing down the nutritional value of the products. Research has also shown that strains of soybeans which have been generated using GM technology have produced minimal levels of phytoestrogen, among other compounds that can be useful in protecting humans from serious health problems such as heart attack.
Unlike with the human health, the environmental effects of Genetically Modified plants or crops are increasingly well examined and documented, as it is evident from previous studies on the subject. A great number of genetically modified plants or crops are either pesticide-producing or herbicide-tolerant, both of which present varied effects to the environment. Pesticide-producing crops are intended to get rid of specific pests simply by producing Bt toxins that are harmful to the pests. GM pesticide-producing crops can also be toxic to harmless species that have not been targeted and which play a crucial role in crop pollination, such as bees and butterflies. A variety of Bt plants produce toxins into the soil through their roots, posing a serious threat to soil ecosystems. It has also been observed that seeds, grains and leaves from Bt crops can fall into water where the toxin can exert toxic effects that can be of great risk to aquatic life. Moreover, continuous use of Genetically Modified crops that are herbicide-tolerant has over the time contributed to the development of weeds or unwanted crops that have shown great resistance to herbicides. In this regard, an increased amount of herbicides would be required to get rid of the weeds, and this is likely to increase the effects of the herbicides on food and the environment.
As it has been highlighted in this paper, Genetically Modified Organisms are associated with immense benefits and risks. A comprehensive focus on the potential benefits and risks that are likely to be realized from this scientific approach of generating food has spurred a lot of controversy across the world regarding its use by humans. While some people see it as a sustainable solution to food shortages and food problems that are being experienced in the developing world, others would tend to view it as a big threat to our health and the environment.
Given these concerns which have left many countries confused about the most appropriate way of handling the whole matter of GM technology, it is necessary for the global population to start monitoring the use of the concept in regard with its efficiency in food production, impact on human health, and environmental concerns. There is no doubt that the area covered with genetically engineered plants in the world is increasing at an alarming rate, thus posing more danger on humans and the environment. In that respect, it is now time for countries around the world to come together to establish regulatory approaches that would enable them monitor the effects of Genetically Modified crops on human health and the environment effectively. Also, all countries should be able to respond in the most appropriate manner based on the general outcome, even if it means doing away with the GM technology. Unless the global population decides to take such an approach, the dangers of GM technology to the environment and human health will always be a significant drawback.
Reference
Chiras, Daniel. Environmental Science (9th Ed), Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning LLC, 2013. Print.