Energy

Weltee Wolo

Rasmussen College

Author Note

This paper is being submitted on November 16, 2017 for Jaime Farrow’s

Human Uses of the Environment

G328/EVR3410 course

Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs)

Genetically modified organism (GMOs) involving animals and plants whose genetic composition has been altered scientifically have elicited prolonged debates among various stakeholders. Varying arguments ranging from environmental, political, health and economic issues has been advanced both in support and against the use of GMOs. In this paper, I will discuss my view about GMOs whether they are safe to be used or not and whether it should be labeled in foods. Besides, I will explain how GMOs has affected the world today.

Safety of GMOs

I believe GMOs are safe for human consumption just like non-genetic engineered organisms. As demonstrated by The US National Academy of Sciences GMOs does not pose any adverse environmental impacts or any potential harm to human health (Colson, 2017). Instead, it has been proven as resistance to common pests, and as such it has decreased the use of pesticides. This scientific body further observed that GMOs are safe because billion of meals served indicate no adverse health effects have been reported. After it was officially certified for human consumption, no single case of potential harm has been documented.

Genetically engineered crops are safe for the environment and do not cause any threats when compared to non-genetically engineered crops. For instance, in 2010 a report published by The National Academy of Sciences found that genetically modified crops planted in the United States recorded reduced use of the most dangerous herbicides, reduced insecticide use, reduced carbon emissions, improved soil quality, increased the frequency of conservation tillage and no-till farming and reduced soil runoffs (Colson, 2017). According to this report, it became apparent that GMOs conventionally cause fewer adverse environmental effects than non-genetically engineered crops.

Labelling GMOs in Foods

Since GMOs are safe and pose no potential threats both to humans and the environment, I believe GMO foods should be labeled. This is not for safety concerns, but it should be labeled to help consumers differentiate between genetically and non-genetically engineered foods (Colson, 2017). The prevailing view by most companies that labeling their products might illicit stigmatization of these products among the consumers is unfounded because scientifically it has been proven to be safe. By labeling GMO foods, consumers’ rights are respected. Since consumers have different preferences of products in the market, their concerns will be taken care of when products are labeled as either natural products or genetically engineered products. Besides, consumers have a right to know what they are eating, and as such companies should indicate full detail about the content of their products.

Impact of GMOs in the World Today

GMOs has revolutionized and transformed the world today. Since it was first adopted in larger scale, GMO products have more than doubled the production of foods worldwide. As indicated by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN body involved with global food security, the growing human population cannot be sustained any further by traditional means of food production if no alternatives ways are not bringing on board (Žel et al., 2012). In its report, FAO estimates that by 2050 the world requires the production of about seventy percent more food than the current production rate to avert potential food insecurity expected due to increased human population. Therefore the increased food production levels brought about by the use of GMOs has significantly improved global food production levels. Hence shift to GMOs products is expected to be the best solution of food insecurity going into the future.

References

Colson, M. (2017). GMOs. New York, NY : Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Žel, J., Milavec, M., Morisset, D., Plan, D., Eede, G. ., & Gruden, K. (2012). How to reliably test

for GMOs. New York [etc.: Springer.