GMOs Impact Global Food Production: Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops - Essay Sample

Introduction

Technological advancements in the biological spheres and agriculture have led to the establishment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) through manipulation of the biological systems. Genetically engineered crops have become the order of the day not only developed but also in the developing nations. These advancements have enabled the development of crops that are resistant to drought, pests, and diseases hence improving the overall food production which is a major concern globally especially among the developing nations (Tzotzos et al. 56). Therefore, genetically engineered crops have presented massive benefits in the agricultural field by promoting increased food production hence fighting on hunger. However, genetically engineered foods have raised massive debates regarding their ethical use and the health implications that they have to humans when they are consumed. It has been established that the introduction of the GM crops leads to negative effects on the ecosystem including new diseases that may necessitate even stronger pesticides. Although various tests have been conducted that demonstrate that GM crops are healthy and fit for human consumption, various ethical issues such as allergy and response to human anatomy demonstrate the dangers of GMOs and why they should be regulated.

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The use of genetic engineering technology depicts the possible dangers of developing artificial systems within the biological domain. It has been established that genetically engineering crops can lead to a release of genetically engineered bacterial genomes like Mycoplasma genitalium which can have significant negative impacts on human health (Dehlinger and Walter 77). Although this bacterium that was developed by the Canadian researchers has been described to possess limited survival rate when it is placed outside the environment that it is cultured, it can still survive through adaptation which can lead to massive damages to the environment. For example, it has been established that the development of such bacteria can lead to its interaction with the environment which can make some plant species to reduce their rates of survival. Therefore, genetic engineering technology possesses a lot of dangers to the environment that may not be controlled.

Genetic engineering technology also posses' major concerns regarding sequencing an artificial bacterium wrongly hence leading to the development of artificial bacterium genomes that could be harmful to living things and the environment. Biological studies have established that biological organisms can undergo a natural selection that can lead to mutations in the environment (Tzotzos et al. 90). When the artificial genomes are manufactured through genetic engineering, mutations can take place which can lead to interactions and destruction of the natural organisms. When such artificial genomes are passed to the environment, they interact with the ecosystem hence leading to mutations of the natural organisms which could be harmful to human and animal health. Therefore, this raises an ethical question regarding the measures that have been undertaken to mitigate such issues.

The increased use of pesticides during the growth of genetically modified crops has been a major environmental challenge. Although GMOs can be made to be resistant to certain pests, it has been established that they still require pesticides. In some cases, the pests develop resistant to these drugs used hence creating a necessity for even stronger pesticides (Tzotzos et al. 105). This has led not only to a high level of pesticides and herbicides during farming of these crops, but also the use of strong ones. Use of strong and excess pesticides means that they can easily be carried by water runoff where they find themselves in water reservoirs like rivers and lakes that are preserved for human and animal consumption. This leads to the risks in human health through consumption of such chemicals. Besides, some of these chemicals are absorbed by the plants which are, in turn, consumed by humans. Such consumptions can be detrimental to human health.

Despite the environmental and human risks associated with genetically engineered crops, it has been argued that they have massive benefits including improving human health. For example, Dehlinger and Walter (188) argued that GM crops are modified to increase the nutrients and even include some nutrients that normal crops do not have. This means that some vitamins can be added to a particular crop which offers the much-needed nutritional value to humans. Besides, studies have suggested that since genetically engineered crops are made to resist pests and insects, then there are fewer chemicals used when growing crops. These include not only herbicides and insecticides but also inorganic fertilizers and boosters used to improve on yield. Thus, it is expected that fewer chemicals are used which reduce environmental degradation as well as promoting human health.

Despite some of the arguments that genetically engineered crops lead to improved health and environmental conservation, the analysis illustrates that indeed GMOs have massively negative consequences in the environment including negative consequences on human and animal health. The analysis demonstrated that there is a possibility of reintroduction of extinct diseases, increased use of pesticides and insecticides, and hence the destruction of the food web which can lead to negative health consequences on humans such as allergies. Besides, the introduction of artificial bacterial genomes can lead to mutations that can adversely affect the growth of natural organisms. Therefore, there is a need to mitigate and regulate genetic engineering technology to preserve the natural ecosystem.

Works Cited

Dehlinger, Carolyn, and Walter, Chop. Molecular Biotechnology Includes Navigate Advantage Access. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, 2014.

Tzotzos, George T, Roger Hull, and Graham P. Head. Genetically Modified Plants: Assessing Safety and Managing Risk. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press, 2009.