Genetically engineered foods are a source of wide controversy in today’s food production sector. Many people still do not understand the importance of genetically engineered foods, and do not feel safe consuming it. This is despite many researches by many researchers such as Pollan trying to study the genetically modified food, to assist in answering these questions (Pollan, 2007). Like all other foodstuffs that human beings consume, genetically engineered foods have their pros and cons in the human diet. Many researchers who look for answers in this field still agree that more about the food needs clarification before they pass it as safe for human consumption.
The current population needs consideration in terms of food for supply. There have emerged several topics for discussion concerning genetically modified foods. Most people take at least four meals a day and therefore they cannot depend on the agricultural food products alone. The supply of food for the rapid growing population has proven difficult over the past few years for most countries and for that reason industries are being set up for manufacturing genetically modified food (Freedman, 2009). These genetically modified food come with various advantages and disadvantages to the environment and people. The use of these foods has become extensive over the past few years in a number of states.
It is so far the most preferable option that can increase food production to ease the demand for food supply. These genetically modified organisms have several or a number of effects on the environment. Some have given better yields with very little effect to the environment yet others have had an extensive negative effect to the environment. However, the seeds to these genetically modified foods do not go well with the environment as compared to the natural seed, they come in handy to solve shortages encountered during food production (Pollan, 2007). The genetically modified foods are helpful since they take a lesser time to grow and reach their production levels. Some are evidently poisonous to the environment thus creating problems for the population found along the area that they are grown.
These reasons may smooth the progress of the annihilation of some organisms from the ecosystem for their survival. This is a great a risk especially to that species of organism going extinct. All organisms have a significance in the well being of the ecosystem thus lack of a given species leads to an imbalance (Kreipe, 2010). Certain foods developed by genetic modification may be toxic to insects but to man they cause him no harm. These are some factors to consider when coming up with a specific modified food to the ecosystem.
To get the genetically engineered foods the developers use hormones that accelerate the growth of these foods. While this is good, for ensuring food security in the world, many people still feel that these hormones may cause unpredictable growth especially in young children who eat the food. These growth hormones may threaten the growth patterns of these young ones, and might affect their lifespan (Kreipe, 2010). This causes fear since some quarters raise concerns about the short lifespan of these genetically engineered foods. Their greatest fear is that these hormones will have the same effect on the lifespan of those who consume it compared to the effect they have on foods. While some consider these fears to be baseless, no proved research proves that these foods do not cause this effect on those who consume it. Before the humankind accepts these foods for consumption, such are the facts that will need to be set straight.
Genetically engineered foods at times have alterations that change the look and taste of some foods. This causes mixed effects among human beings who take the food. Some say that while the food is satisfying, and fills the stomach it does not offer feeling of satisfaction. The consumers raise questions about the different taste of the foods. Since hormones determine growth patterns in our bodies, they wonder what effect such hormones will have on our bodies (Pollan, 2007). These hormones make some plants weak, which some feel can alter the function of the body, and increase weakness in the body.
Genetically modified foods might solve the problem of food shortage but it creates problems relating to politics plus the financial system of a country to a critical state. These problems are harmful to the well being of the nation and may cause unwanted acts by individuals. Nations that cannot afford to set up companies that can produce these genetically engineered foods may faced by greater problems such as shortage in the supply of food. Individuals have greater responsibilities getting the natural organisms for food purposes. Productions of these genetically engineered foods come with greater expenses for most states especially the third world countries (Lurquin, 2004). Coming up with these genetically, engineered foods are a new kind of technology that requires keen and mindful decisions by the rightful parties. Most laws globally limit the production of these genetically engineered foods and urge most individuals to stick to the indigenous organisms.
In conclusion, researchers need to look seriously into genetically engineered foods to determine if they are safe for consumption. They will need to get a way to integrate the pros and cons of these foods to give foods reliable for human consumption. This will offer food security by increasing food production.
References
Freedman, J. (2009). Genetically modified food: How biotechnology is changing what we eat. New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Group.
Kreipe, M. (2010). Genetically modified food: trade regulation in view of environmental policy objectives. Hamburg: Diplomica-Verl.
Lurquin, P. F. (2004). High tech harvest: Understanding genetically modified food plants. Boulder, Colo: Westview.
Pollan, M. (2007). The omnivore’s dilemma: The search for a perfect meal in a fast-food world. London: Bloomsbury.
