Introduction
There has been a surge in the number of fast-food joints in Arizona, which mostly sell junk and genetically altered food. This is clearly due to the increased market for these foods and their popularity in most areas. This business has been booming in the last few years due, as indicated to the massive investments made in this sector by various investors. Fast foods are an attractive choice for youths and children in particular due to their sweetness and ability to offer immediate satisfaction with sugar cravings. Genetically altered foods have been on the rise in the last few years, given the developments accrued in science and technology. Additionally, these genetically altered foods are promoted across the globe due to their possibility of ending global famine. Fast foods and genetically altered meals are, however, associated with many negative health conditions and there is a need for authorities to regulate their sale. Such actions are controversial due to their impact on the economy but promise to safeguard the health of Arizona citizens.
Supporting Arguments
Fast foods are mostly sugary and contain large quantities of this energy source. The excess sugar within acts as a marketing strategy for sellers who rely on this aspect to boost sales and trap customers. The effects of sugar on human health have been extensively studied and the sale of fast foods continues to threaten human health. The metabolism of excess sugar is implicated in conditions such as diabetes and obesity. These conditions have profound effects on the quality of life led by patients (Martínez-González & Martín-Calvo, 2019). They become less operational and productive in their various economic activity. The social lives of these patients are affected as they cannot interact with people as effectively as before. The mental health of obese and diabetic people is affected as they cannot effectively live a life free from fear. They are constantly worried about their deteriorating health and need them to take action. Diseases caused by excessive fast food consumption result in high costs of healthcare as insurance remittance and out-of-pocket costs increase profoundly.
Fast foods have been implicated in the occurrence of chronic diseases in children who would ordinarily not suffer from such conditions. These conditions include obesity which was initially thought to be a feature of adults with a sedentary lifestyle. Children consume fast foods, gain weight, and become unable to achieve their required developmental milestones in time (Liberali et al., 2020). This endangers the future of the human race and makes the situation extremely bleak for everybody. There is a need to secure the future of the planet by advocating for healthier children and youth by guiding their diet. Diabetes has become more common in these children and youth, prompting authorities to take notice. The best way to regulate the diet of this sensitive population is to reduce their intake of fast foods and carcinogenic genetically altered foods.
Genetically modified foods are not entirely natural and the modifications made are to ensure better production and yields. This action insinuates a focus on quantity with total disregard for the quality of food provided to the people. Such food has been implicated in the development of genetic aberrations in various people. Genetic modifications are responsible for the various diseases that affect people, altering their lives completely. Genetic diseases result in cancers most of the time and these conditions are difficult to treat (Cheung et al., 2021). The emergence of high numbers of cancer cases over the last decade has been associated with the increased consumption of genetically altered foods and the obvious preference for natural ones. The occurrence of various types of cancers is detrimental to the health of individuals as cures are not readily available. The treatment of cancer is expensive and leads to massive financial drainage for victims and their families. Cancer is a death sentence for most people who cannot afford treatment, and genetically altered foods cannot be ignored as important causes.
The best method of ensuring that people are protected from cancer is by ensuring that the carcinogens present in altered foods are minimized. It is often the buildup of carcinogens during several episodes of consumption of genetically modified foods that causes cancer. Regulating the quantity of these foods sold to Arizona people is a key method of reducing consumption and carcinogen quantities (Cheung et al., 2021). It is not enough to reduce the quantities of fast foods and genetically altered foods as their quality must be assured. Policies must be developed by Arizona authorities to ensure that the genetic foods sold to citizens contain an acceptable percentage of chemicals. This guarantees that the sugar content and carcinogens quantities are reduced. The percentages can be determined through scientific studies of what threshold of chemicals cause harm to humans. The authorities can thereafter require manufacturers and vendors to produce fast foods and genetically altered foods that meet certain guidelines. This will guarantee the health of customers while keeping the businesses open and protecting investments.
The minimal sale of fast foods and genetically altered foods is likely to serve as an economic stimulus with a healthier population. Less junk equates to healthier people capable of producing more money for circulation within the economy by working smarter (Burgoine et al., 2018). This move is, therefore, likely to offset the economic impacts expected from the implementation of moves against the fast-food economy. Increased productivity is essential for the greater collection of taxes and the development of the nation. The money that could have been deviated to the treatment of diabetic and obese people can be used positively to transform the lives of Arizona people. This portrays the policymakers as people committed to ensuring the lives of Arizona citizens are safeguarded instead of a primitive focus on profits.
Counterargument
Those against the idea of limiting fast foods and genetically altered meals would argue that this action amounts to the jeopardy of millions in investments. Owners of such food joints spend a lot of money starting their businesses and keeping them in operation. Reducing the quantities of foods they sell is regarded as a means to their end. Reducing the quantity is only the first step before eventual regulations lead to full closure. The loss in such amounts of money is detrimental to the economy, considering the massive amounts of taxes these people pay. Taxes are important in ensuring budgetary harmony and the development of the nation (Eyles et al., 2018). Fast food vendors and sellers of genetically modified foods are citizens of the state and could be rendered jobless by this action. The owners of these outlets would undoubtedly cut their staff numbers to ensure their profit margins remain acceptable. Such actions would increase the number of unemployed people in Arizona and affect many livelihoods. The affected people would be unable to meet their various needs, such as basic requirements and education for their children.
A move aimed at curtailing the activities of fast foods and genetically modified meals is arguably an effort against scientific advancements. These foods are generally the result of extensive scientific research that initially sought to solve legitimate problems in society. The scientific expeditions spent immense resources in money and time for those involved. The discoveries and the resultant businesses are, therefore, extensive investments for their owners. An action geared towards the sale of scientifically manufactured products is arguably a move against science itself. The counterargument for those supporting the ungoverned sale of fast foods and genetically improved diets is that science would be repressed (Gunarathne et al., 2021). This would minimize the awe and scientific urge to solve more human problems through discovery. They would argue that there is no point in trying to make the world better if losses are the guaranteed outcome of discoveries. This threatens inventors in other fields and discourages the operation of their discoveries within the state. The state can be labeled hostile to innovation and such a tag is discouraging even for upcoming generations.
Children cannot feel the urge to participate in making groundbreaking discoveries if their ingenuity is punished through repression. Suppressing the sale of fast foods raises questions about other discoveries within the area based on the principle of generalization. There is no item discovered by men that is 100% beneficial, as flaws are to be expected (Gunarathne et al., 2021). Mobile technological devices are, for example, associated with the emission of waves that are known to be fatal to people. If the government’s action is to eliminate everything that has harmed its population, mobile phones are not safe. This means that technological discovery is discouraged within these regions. Those against limiting the sale of fast foods argue that science should be freed and let flow without restriction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the effects of fast foods and genetically modified foods on the health of Arizona citizens are catastrophic. The control of such outlets and businesses is crucial if the lives of present and future generations are to be safeguarded. Fast foods are responsible for diabetes and obesity witnessed in most developing nations, including Arizona. One of the most practical ways of eliminating these health hazards is controlling the quantities sold to the people, and altering the proportions of chemicals within the foods. Fast foods are responsible for huge medication bills paid by people across Arizona and lead to mortality ultimately. The sugar contents are poisonous and must be controlled. Genetically modified foods are carcinogenic, leading to cancers that eventually cause early deaths amongst many people. The regulation of these restaurants is likely to cause joblessness, a constraint on scientific discovery, and reduced revenue for Arizona. These economic effects can, however, be mitigated through the expected increase in productivity from healthy people. It is, therefore, prudent that the policymakers within the area produce favorable legislation that safeguards the health of their people.
References
Burgoine, T., Sarkar, C., Webster, C. J., & Monsivais, P. (2018). Examining the interaction of fast-food outlet exposure and income on diet and obesity: evidence from 51,361 UK Biobank participants. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1). Web.
Cheung, B. Y., Schmalor, A., & Heine, S. J. (2021). The role of genetic essentialism and genetics knowledge in support for eugenics and genetically modified foods. PLOS ONE, 16(9), e0257954. Web.
Eyles, H., Jiang, Y., Blakely, T., Neal, B., Crowley, J., Cleghorn, C., & Ni Mhurchu, C. (2018). Five year trends in the serving size, energy, and sodium contents of New Zealand fast foods: 2012 to 2016. Nutrition Journal, 17(1). Web.
Gunarathne, R., Mendis, E., Silva, B. G., & Jayatissa, R. (2021). Determination of fat, salt and sodium contents of selected fast food items available for sale in Colombo city, Sri Lanka: An approach to color coding of fast foods. Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, 9(4). Web.
Liberali, R., Kupek, E., & Assis, M. A. A. de. (2020). Dietary Patterns and Childhood Obesity Risk: A Systematic Review. Childhood Obesity, 16(2), 70–85. Web.
Martínez-González, M. Á., & Martín-Calvo, N. (2019). Ultraprocessed Foods and Public Health: A Need for Education. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94(11), 2156–2157. Web.