Genetically Modified Foods: The Answer to World Hunger

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Genetically Modified Foods: The Answer to World Hunger

Genetically modified (GM) foods have become omnipresent over the past decade. They are a technological breakthrough that allows humans to manipulate and add foreign genes to crops to enhance desired traits, but they have also evolved into a controversial issue, especially for Third World countries. Some people believe that GM foods not only provide larger yields to feed hungry citizens in Third World countries, but they can also be a source of great nutritional value. For example, researchers have developed a strain of golden rice containing high amounts of vitamin A and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, GM crops are laced with herbicides and pesticides, and therefore reduce the need for chemical consumption. Opponents of GM foods claim that they pose a threat to the health of consumers and that these crops could eventually cross-pollinate in an unregulated fashion or lead to the growth of superweeds and superbugs resistant to the herbicides and pesticides woven into the genetic fiber of the crops. Developed nations should promote research and monitoring from an ethical point of view and financial assistance through philanthropic ventures in order to limit environmental and health risks. They should also make sure that limited cultural displacement will result from the introduction of GM crops and that instead, a better livelihood and well-being through collaboration will emerge. Hence, GM crops should be introduced only provided that the developed nations assume the ethical and financial responsibilities for the environmental, health, and social consequences that attend this new innovation.

Genetically modified foods are a necessity for deve...

... middle of paper ...

... There is an expression that the world is round and our actions as developed countries will someday come back to haunt us. Therefore, we have to be responsible if we are to live harmoniously with the rest of the world. Developed countries, like the United States, must face the consequences of presenting GM crops to Third World countries and must offer to amend any problems with honest and just solutions. Developed countries can then truly say that they are responsible leaders of the world.

Works Cited

Anderson, Clifton. "Genetic Engineering." The Futurist. March-April 2000. 20-25.

Easton, Thomas A., and Theodore Goldfarb. Taking Sides. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill,

2003.

Halweil, Brian. "Emperor's New Crops." Easton and Goldfarb 171-181.

Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge. Boston: Southend Press.

1997.

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