In college you’ll encounter many things, but one of the main things will be food. Whether it’s pizza, ice cream, vegetables, cheese, fruit, or anything else, most likely you will eat something that has been genetically modified even if you don’t know it. The question is: does it matter? Does genetically modified food hurt anyone or is it something that only benefits you? In an article from Nature titled “Regulation must be revolutionized,” Ingo Potrykus, the chairman of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Project, seems to think that genetically modified food can save the world if the regulations on it weren’t so ridiculous. A different article on buzzle.com written by Deepa Kartha, a post graduate in English Literature, titled “Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons” cautions us to take a step back and examine both sides before deciding whether they are good for us or not. In short, both “Regulation must be revolutionized” and “Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons” address the fact that genetically modified foods can be good for you, however “Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons” reminds us that, although it can be good, any development made through science has its problems which must be brought to our attention.
Ingo Potrykus says that the legal requirements for genetically modified foods to be allowed to hit the shelves are ridiculous and are preventing the salvation of thousands from starvation and malnutrition. He claims that it usually takes over ten years to get a new GMF (genetically modified food) on the market. Because of this he says that the Golden Rice Humanitarian Project has been unable to get its golden rice, which is rich in Vitamin A, on the market even though it has been ready for about ten years. He says that the golden rice could help feed thousands in poor countries while giving them much needed nutrition, reducing deaths, and improving eyesight. If all of this could happen, why is golden rice still not on the market? It is because of the regulations. Ingo Potrykus says that, because of these regulations, resources are wasted, and it stops “potentially transformative crops from making the leap from lab to plate.” The ways to fix this problem is to treat GMF’s just like new drugs, and to allow them to be tested and proven safe or unsafe in the same ways. If regulations were changed, then many GMF’s would be able to hit the market earlier and help people sooner.
In “Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons,” it states both good and bad things about GMF’s. It leaves it up to you to decide whether you think GMF’s are good or bad. It states that GMF’s have the ability to prevent food allergies and perhaps even cure diseases through the genetic addition of certain vitamins or minerals so that maybe those of you who are allergic to chocolate or maybe lactose intolerant could one day enjoy chocolate and other wonderful dairy products just like the rest of us. There are several known GMF’s that are already on the market such as: cotton, soybean, canola, potatoes, egg plant, strawberries, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, cantaloupe, carrots, etc. The pros of GMF’s are that they have faster growth, are higher in vitamins and minerals than normal foods, are able to help prevent the certain diseases, and are cheaper to grow in the long run than normal foods. The cons of GMF’s are that they can cause harm to the human body such as the development of antibiotic resistant diseases or even cancer, many businesses do not say whether or not their foods are GMF’s therefore not giving the consumer a choice of whether or not they want to eat them, some people see GMF’s as an unnatural way to grow food and are against it, and many experts say that poor countries would come to depend on other countries for the GMF’s because they would be unable to make them themselves. Also, because it is a new scientific development, not much is known about the other effects it could have on humans in the long run so many people prefer to avoid them completely. Obviously, since not much is known either way, it will be hard to make a solid decision either way, but hopefully this article gave some useful information so that you can have a decent understanding of both sides.
Personally, I think that GMF's would be great if they can help save the world, but I personally don't know if they can really do what some people say they can. Obviously, according to Ingo Potrykus, we should support GMF’s and take away the nonsensical regulations, but according to Deepa Kartha we need to think about both the pros and cons of GMF’s before deciding to chow down. Both articles saw the pros of GMF’s, but only the last one addressed the cons as well. I think it’s really important to consider the cons because you need to know both sides of an argument before you can make an informed decision about it. However, the decision is really up to you and what you feel about modifying foods. GMF’s are something that shouldn’t be taken lightly because of the potential harm it can do to humans and to crops as well, but I don’t think you should be afraid to eat just because you might be eating a GMF. Do you think GMF’s are good, bad, or both?
Nature. “Regulation must be revolutionized.” Published online 28 July 2010
Nature Volume 466 Number 7306 pg. 531-660 http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v466/n7306/full/466561a.html
-Must have a subscription to view
Buzzle.com “Genetically Modified Foods Pros and Cons”
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons.html
-picture from buzzle.com
No comments:
Post a Comment