Essay On Stand On Genetically Modified Organisms (Essay Sample)

GMO Debate
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GMO Debate
The debate over the safety of GMO’s for human consumption has been in existence for many years, and I believe it will take a long time for nations to come to an agreement regarding this issue. My position on this issue is that GMO’s have a role to play in improving the food security of the developing nations, mainly in Africa. Sasson (2012) points out that the lack of food safety is the primary concern and it is estimated that over one billion people globally suffer from malnutrition and starvation. Extreme cases of starvation have been recorded, particularly in the Horn of Africa and insufficient production of food is considered to be the leading cause of food insecurity. GMO’s contribute to increased food production by introducing high yielding crop varieties and improving the nutritional content of food (Qaim & Kouser, 2013), and I believe it is a solution to the address the starvation and malnutrition.
The GM crops are resistant to plant diseases and tolerant towards various herbicides. The implication is that farmers will use fewer pesticides and herbicides resulting in a significant reduction in farming costs. Farmers get increased yields, and the cost of production is lowered leading to increased profits. The cost reduction as the result of the adoption of GMO’s would contribute to a reduction in prices resulting in increased affordability of food to the developing countries whose citizens live in poverty.
However, despite the benefits of GMO’s, I still have concerns over their health and environmental impact. I still hold concerns over the safety of many of the GMO products, for instance, the genetically modified corn has been accused of causing weight gain and organ disruption. Given these concerns, CODEX should thoroughly carry out a risk assessment of these products and provide the assurance that they are safe for human consumption. Consumer confidence regarding GMO’s has been eroded over the years, and I support the public interest groups which raise questions on long term effect such as allergenicity and antimicrobial resistance.
The WHO should also give clear guidelines on the effects of GMO’s on the environment. Lemaux (2009) points out that the GMO’s have the ability to release engineered genes to the existing natural plant population resulting into the development of entirely new and harmful plant genotypes. The maintenance of farmland biodiversity which was enhanced by the natural management of land over centuries could be at risk. The farming methods have considerably changed causing a decline in farmland biodiversity, and the growth of GMO’S threatens to destroy it all together.
The WHO has to take a prominent position on this deba...