Genetically Modified Foods Essay #4 (Essay Sample)

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Genetically Modified Foods
Introduction
Sciences or principles behind biotechnology, precisely genetic engineering for this context have the potential to improve agriculture production within the framework of sustainable development. In fact, biotechnology has a proven track record of application in assisted breeding and genetically modified or engineered crops. Despite the constant debate on genetically modified foods, especially in African and European countries, millions of small and large-scale farmers in both developing and industrialized countries have continued to increase their production of genetically modified crops because biotech or transgenic crops offers significant multiple benefits. The high rate of adoption is a strong indicator of acceptance of GM foods, reflecting farmer and consumer satisfaction. Some of the notable benefits brought by genetically modified foods include optimizing land usage, increasing the quality and quantity of yield, as well as minimizing the cost of using herbicides (weed-killer). This paper focuses on GM foods as one of the solutions to sustainable food production and consumption in the contemporary global food system. In this respect, the paper explores the basis and benefits of genetically modified foods in the framework of sustainable development.
Motivation and Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods in the Framework of Sustainable Food Production and Consumption
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines genetically modified organisms (GMO) as organisms (microorganisms, animals and plants) in which the their genetic material has been altered or engineered deliberately CITATION Jam11 \p 1 \m WHO14 \p 1 \l 1033 (James 1; World Health Organisation 1). The underlying technology is often known as gene technology or genetic engineering CITATION Eur12 \p 115 \l 1033 (European Commision 115). According to Food & Water Watch (3), this technology allows carefully selected genes to be moved to another organism. Inferring from the above definition and concepts, genetically modified foods refers to those that are produced from or using GMO. With respect to agriculture, developments biotechnology continues to gain support in an effort to increase productivity of crops by reducing the cost of production. In 2011, significant benefits of commercial biotech crops rose by 12 million hectares, 8% up in the previous year CITATION Jam11 \p 8 \l 1033 (James 8). The underlying motivation behind the production and marketing of genetically modified foods is that they have some benefits to either the consumers or producers of these foods. The most convincing case for genetic engineering and more specifically transgenic foods is their potential to contribute to self-sufficiency, which entails optimizing production and productivity of scarce arable land. Food security has no specific source; hence, most national programs are focusing on self-sufficiency or sustainability. Biotech crops have the capability of increasing the productivity of transgenic foods thus contributes to the global food security with benefits to farmers, consumers, chemical industry and the society at large. In reference to food safety and sustainability, the production these foods are meant to transform into inexpensive products, low production costs and greater benefits.
The challenges and scarcities facing the global food system interact and multiply with each other in unpredictable and complex ways CITATION Eur12 \p 34 \l 1033 (European Commision 34). These interactions are not understood quantitatively because of a limited set of scarcities interaction, for instance, between climatic features (CO2, temperature, and precipitation increase) and between climatic change, land and water use change. Both regional and ultimately the global system of biodiversity, water cycle and climate continue to move out of the historical ranges. The European Commission (34) notes that the complexity and unpredictability are due to the fact that experience from the past may not avail a foundation for the solutions of the future. Therefore, the world urgently needs the best alternative and engagement of political and social sciences. Initially, the developers of genetically modified seeds focused on innovations that benefits farmers directly and the global food system. Gene technology increases crop yield and promotes the land optimization. The production of GM foods uses a significant size land and other natural resources. The optimal utilization of land is a critical issue; the global population is projected to rise beyond 9 billion by 2050 CITATION Eur12 \p 26 \l 1033 (European Commision 26). In the same context, arable land is expected to diminish due to urbanization and anthropogenic climate change CITATION Eur12 \p 103 \l 1033 (European Commision 103). The projected growth in population and increased food consumption in populated countries such as India and China call for efficient use of land with respect to food security. As a long-term plan for food security and sustainable agriculture, transgenic crops should be adopted because they yield more food under less land. Conserving arable land for food production is a need complimented by GM foods.
Besides increasing crop yield, the production of GM foods requires a minimal amount of pesticides and herbicides, thereby preventing considerable ecological damage. Transgenic crops are designed to produce the toxins. In addition, endotoxins exhibit degrade quickly. One of the objectives for engineering food crops based on genetically modified organisms is to enhance crop protection or resistance against diseases and extreme climatic conditions CITATION Col11 \p 10 \l 1033 (Carter, Moschini and Sheldon 10). As of this writing, the genetically modified crops in the market were mainly engineered to increase the degree of crop protection and resistance. This has been managed by introducing genetic resistance against viral diseases and insects. According to Carter, Moschini and Sheldon (36), Herbicide tolerance has been managed by introducing a resistance gene from a bacterium. In scenarios where the weed prevalence is high, such crops can result in a reduction of the quantity or cost of herbicides applied. Pest resistance has been managed through the incorporation of the gene for toxin generation into the food plant CITATION Col11 \p 38 \l 1033 (Carter, Moschini and Sheldon 38). The gene has been induced from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis CITATION WHO14 \p 1 \l 1033 (World Health Organisation 1). As noted by the World Health Organization (1), this toxin is certified to be used as bio-insecticide in agriculture because it is safe. Biotech crops that produce this toxin naturally have been proved to need considerably lower amounts of insecticides in controlled environments, for example, where pest frequency is high. Enhanced virus resistance makes food crops less susceptible to various virus-based diseases. Ultimately, high crop yields are achieved.
The production of GM foods also increases stability of food production and productivity by minimizing losses during famines. Further, they mitigate some of the difficulties associated with climatic change and reducing greenhouse emissions CITATION Jam11 \p 3 \l 1033 (James 3). Additionally, production of transgenic food conserves biodiversity through land-conserving technology (less land high yield). Biodiversity benefits consumers from the utilization of a variety of crops. The benefits are noted in terms of enhanced crop fortification and from the values attached to food security. Genetic engineering can also be used to address deficiencies in nutritional minerals such as iron and zinc. Golden Rice is an apt example of a transgenic food fortified with provitamin A CITATION Col11 \p 74 \m Foo12 \p 6 \l 1033 (Carter, Moschini and Sheldon 74; Food & Water Watch 6). The GM foods in the market as the time of this writing had passed safety assessments carried out by national authorities and international organizations such as FAO and WHO. The evaluations entail assessment of either human or environmental health risks. Typically, food safety assessments conform to the standards of Codex Alimentarius Commission CITATION WHO14 \p 2 \l 1033 (World Health Organisation 2).
Despite the numerous benefits noted, there have been ...