Genetic engineering, a problem solver or a problem causer?

A few years ago a new concept was invented that should solve a lot of the food- crisis issues: genetically modified food or GM foods. The literal meaning: GM-foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism. Since the beginning of times humans have genetic modified animals and plants, but only from the same species. With this new technique they can create new variants by transferring genetic material from one organism to another. For example, fish have a gene that has the ability to tolerate frost. Such a gene-implant makes it possible for vegetables to grow a variety of vegetables still under much colder and harsh conditions (2).

A lot of problems around the world can be solved with this modern way of producing food. Or does it cause more problems of which we didn’t think off?

 GroenLinks, a political party in the Netherlands, thinks different about this subject. It claims that GM-foods are a major threat to biodiversity. The GM-foods have no natural enemies, so they overgrow other crops and threaten to disrupt the natural balance. These are serious issues that can be remedied by forbidding the GM-foods (3).

 GroenLinks and other people claim that GM-foods also create unfair competition for farmers in developing countries. But can’t GM-foods be a good thing for developing countries? For example, if food can be designed for extreme drought, farmers will have an advantage of this new innovation.

 A lot of people are scared for this new innovation because they think it’s against nature. GM-foods are an example of moral overload. We want to have economic growth, but it must go on a natural way. It is always important with new innovations to think of the advantages and disadvantages.

I think innovation is a step-by-step process. The innovation of GM-foods is a beginning problem solver for developing countries, but needs new innovation to solve the problem-causers. It is an challenge for people to keep innovative to solve the problems of tomorrow.

 

 

Sources:

1. 18-03-2015. Quick facts: What you need to know about global hunger. Source: http://www.mercycorps.org/articles/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-global-hunger

2. 02-04-2001. Genetisch Gemodificeerd voedsel... wat is het en is het veilig? Source: http://www.echt-nieuws.nl/mens1.htm 

3. Groen-links information about genetic modification: https://groenlinks.nl/standpunten/genetische-manipulatie

4. Image GM paprika made by Lisa Gerards