The controversial issue of genetically modified foods, commonly known as GM’s, has only gained the attention of millions, since it became a prominent and highly debated global issue. Genetically modified foods are created when the genes of an organism are engineered and modified to create a new or enhanced version of that organism. The process of using different genes from different sources to genetically modify foods led to public outcry and sometimes, praise.
People in support of genetically modified foods claims it will enhance the quality of the food, improve the food’s resistance to pests and other harmful elements, lower food costs, and also increase food security for the future. However, those opposed to genetically modified foods claim cross pollination could occur and hurt normal plants and there are unknown health risks that can harm humans and the environment. (Agadoni) (Human Genome Project) The big question everyone has with genetically modified foods is, ‘What should its role be in the global food supply?
Should it be a significant role or a limited role? ” Based on sources B, C, E, F, and G, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods, rather than a significant or limited role, in the global food supply, despite opposition, in order to solve the problems we are and will face. First and foremost, due to the rising population and the movement of people to cities, not to farm lands, the need for genetically modified foods to support growing populations in the global food supply is increasing, according to source B, written by Robin Mckie. Moves to block cultivation of genetically modified crops in the developing world can no longer be tolerated on ethical or moral grounds. ” (McKie) Mckie is saying that genetically modified foods should no longer be blocked due to the need for more food. Therefore, we can see that there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods in the global food supply, since population is growing and people are moving away from farmlands, which means that the production of crops will become less effective.
Also in Mckie’s article, government chief scientist, Sir John Beddington speaks out on the issue of genetically modified foods, stating, “And on top of that the world’s population is getting more prosperous and able to pay for more food. ” (Mckie) McKie goes on to say that Beddington also stated that in the future, modern biotechnological techniques and genetically modified foods will play a role in the future of global food production. McKie) By stating quotes from Beddington, which emphasize that more people are buying into an already scarce food supply and that the role of genetically modified foods and procedures will only expand its presence in the future, we can also see that there should be an increasing role of genetically modified crops in the global food supply. Secondly, the United States, China, India, and Australia, are among some of the world’s largest countries.
These countries are biotech crop countries, which means genetically modified foods are present and are commercially being produced. James, Graph/Map) This backs up the claims made earlier by both Mckie and Beddington from source B, that genetically modified foods will expand its presence. The graph by Clive James in source C depicts an increasing rate of the production of genetically modified crops in both industrial and developing regions of the world since 1996. Therefore, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified crops in the global food supply, since more countries and regions of the world are producing it and the need to supply more food is necessary, as stated earlier in source B.
Thirdly, according to source E, a 2008 study conducted in Europe shows that twenty six percent of respondents did not know about genetically modified foods. This was a thirteen percent drop from a 2005 survey. (Cage) Since there was a decrease in the amount of people who do not know about genetically modified foods, it shows more people are becoming aware of what they are and further shows that they are observing the role genetically modified foods play in the global food supply.
“People do change attitudes… I think people do understand that agriculture needs to be efficient,” says Jonathan Ramsay of Monsanto. (Cage) When Jonathan says this quote, he is saying that people will slowly shift their views of genetically modified foods, since the need for sustainable and more efficient agriculture is needed, and can be made efficient through genetically modified foods. According to source D, there is a reduced maturation time for genetically modified crops, which means agricultural output will be higher, thus efficient agriculture will be achieved through genetically modified foods. Human Genome Project)
Due to the fact that people are beginning to learn more about genetically modified foods and that genetically modified foods will mature faster and increase agricultural efficiency, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods in the global food supply, since people will slowly see the benefits that genetically modified foods can have on the global food supply. Fourthly, according to source F, an Australian university website states that the risks of genetically modified foods are exaggerated. I think the risks and benefits are overstated by both sides of the debate,” states Dr. Lucy Carter. (University of Queensland) By stating this quote, Dr. Carter is critiquing how both sides convey their arguments to each other. Furthermore, it shows that Dr. Carter believes that genetically modified crops are still a benefit to society in the long term.
The article further states that there is no evidence to prove that genetically modified foods poses a threat to humans or the environment and that Australian states should not ban production of genetically modified foods. You can’t easily create a hybrid that is both strong enough to withstand natural environmental conditions,” stated Dr. Carter. (University of Queensland) When Dr. Carter states this, she is saying that risks such as super weeds are not possible and should not be viewed as a significant “GM” threat. Therefore, because Australian states still use genetically modified foods and because studies in Australia show that benefits of genetically modified crops outweigh the risks, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified crops in the global food supply in order to solve society’s problems.
Finally, source G communicates to us that there is controversy going on with genetically modified crops. The excerpt from African Renewal, states that Zimbabwe and Zambia are rejecting genetically modified food aid from countries like the United States despite an increasing hunger problem they are facing. The president says that they do not have enough resources to study the effects of genetically modified foods, thus there is a scientific uncertainty.
Due to the uncertainty, the president says genetically modified food imports will be limited in the interest of the countries already poor and sick people. Manda) Despite the fact that this source conveys the message that the role of genetically modified foods should be limited, since it could hurt other less fortunate countries, this source does exhibit a major problem in which genetically modified foods are needed. Hunger and sickness are issues that are targeted by genetically modified foods, according to source D, which states that genetically modified foods will increase food security. (Human Genome Project) As food security increases, the more food there will be for people such as the sick and poor.
Therefore, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods in the global food supply, in order to create a secure food supply, especially for those who are suffering throughout other parts of the world. In terms of Zimbabwe and Zambia, overtime, people will begin to change their attitudes, as stated by Monsanto’s Jonathan Ramsay. But, people should understand that the role of genetically modified foods will not expand throughout the world. Overall, however, there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods in the global food supply, according articles B, C, E, F, and G.
All of these sources claim that there should be an increasing role of genetically modified foods in the global food supply in order to solve problems with growing population and inefficient agricultural methods, aid an increasing amount of poor and sick, and due to the fact that more people are starting to become more aware of genetically modified foods. Opinions and fact contradict each other in such a highly controversial issue. But in the end, there will be an increasing presence of genetically modified foods in the global food supply unless a new and safer solution is discovered.
