Genetically modified foods: a futuristic solution to world hunger
Introduction
Today’s world consists of many different cultures, people and religions. With an astonishing approximate of 7.6 billion people worldwide, humans are the biggest consumers of resources on this planet. The human population grows with 1,09% every year. Meaning even though deaths counteract the massive population growth, there are more births than deaths in the modern-day world (United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2017). Natural resources are running out, with the growth of the earthen population more food and other resources are needed. This lack of food provision that is mainly manifesting itself in the poorest parts of Third World countries yet seems to be increasing exponentially.
This future worldwide food issue can be recognized as a serious wicked problem, there is no shortage of land worldwide – it could easily provide enough resources for 14 to 33 billion people, in theory. Meaning, even though a food shortage can be identified, fertile lands are being destroyed or repurposed in cultivated and industrial lands. Regardless of the 1 billion people whom suffer from starvation and undernourishment worldwide, 1.6 billion people are overeating or suffer of obesity. Therefore, the question arises, “How can we prevent our growing population from starvation through new technologies?” In the mid-1990s, Bredahl had already identified a possible solution for this worldwide problem, when the first attempts to produce and use genetically modified soybeans and corn in food products were met with public demonstrations in several European countries. (Bredahl, 2001) Yet it has come a long while since then. Here genetically modified foods offer a plausible and desirable solution.
Scenario: Alternative resources
Taking the increasing population into account, increasing and the natural sources running lower and lower each year, alternatives must be found. This is where genetically modified foods come in, yet, what exactly is this genetically modified food? Genetically modified foods are foods that have been introduced to organic material from other organisms and eventually are genetically altered or modified with use of another gene in a way that does not occur in nature. Meaning, foods that have been altered through the use of technological advancements. How is this done? According to Wolfenbarger and Phifer, “Via genetic engineering (GE), scientists can increase a plant or animals’ resistance to disease and drought, enhance nutritional qualities, and increase crop yields, thereby producing a more efficient, cheaper, and healthier food supply that is less reliant on potentially harmful pesticides”. (Wolfenbarger & Phifer, 2000) as cited by Marquez, Critchley and Walshe in Attitudes to genetically modified food over time: How trust in organizations and the media cycle predict support. (Marquez, Critchley, & Walshe, 2015)
There are certain advantages to GM foods, such as conveying a longer durability and lower prices, furthermore they also can hold more nutritional value. The consumer and producer will both benefit from this developing food. In 20 years, 2038, the world population will have risen to 8.6 billion people. (United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2017) While GM crops that are currently on the market are aimed at an increased level of crop protection, which is accomplished through introducing resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides (World Health Organization, 2014), in 20 years’ time they will be aimed at the average consumer like you and me.
With the use of GM plants/foods, the ability and opportunity to reduce the cost of food production and also increase the amount of food available in the future, arises. It offers a direct solution for world hunger, not only by ensuring a consistent food production but also maintaining a lower cost which makes GM foods accessible to all target audiences. Other pros to this biotechnology are, improving health and reduce hunger, create flexibility within the food chain, offer medical enhancement opportunities, allowing us to preserve resources due to an extended lifespan, help us minimize waste products and reduce infectious disease rates. (Lombardo, sd) Furthermore, it can be beneficial for developing countries who suffer from vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin A, yet before this is even possible, they need to have access to food in general. An example of this is the genetically modified “golden rice” that produces the Vitamin A precursor beta carotene. (Scott, Inbar, & Rozin, 2016)
Research: Down side to a state-of-the-art invention
The question arising from this scenario is why the GM plants haven’t been adopted widely if they are providing all these benefits. The main issue that arose from was that the current population contemplates the safety of GM foods, they perceive that modern biotechnology is leading to the creation of new species. For example, biotechnology has been used to create different – one might even say enhanced – species such as silk spinning goats, chickens immune to avian flu and even farm animals that can be household pets but with the increased awareness of ethics and moral dilemmas, the current population holds a dim view of manipulating nature and the risk it may have on human DNA and where we may draw the line when it comes to experimenting on all kinds of animals, and humans included.
It must be said, the possibility of something unforeseen happening meaning if something unforeseen happens an entire (crop) harvest could go to waste. As well as viability in croplands could decrease as crops obtain their nutritional content from the soil in which they grow. The main objective for GM foods at this moment is providing more nutritious food, yet it can also be used as a weapon for mass destruction. The line between morals and values are thin.
Currently the main issues that were identified are allergenicity, gene transfer and outcrossing. However, in 20 years’ time these issues could all be resolved due to the constant research and development that is done on the subject. Mainly when looking at allergenicity in foods, a few key points are made. For instance, transferring genes from commonly allergenic organisms to non-allergic organisms is looked down upon. A recent case where this happened was for the company Taco Bell who had acquired corn taco shells infected with Cry9C, a pest-repelling protein. (Xu, 2016)
Furthermore, gene transfers are also of high relevance. The probability of said gene transfers are low, and usage of antibiotic resistance genes is preferred and encouraged. Last but not least, outcrossing, accidental crossing of certain genes from GM plants or relates species in the wild can have a negative impact on humans and the environment. As can be seen, that gene transfer between species due to bioengineering increases risk of essential nutrients being eliminated and negatively affecting nutritional value of basic crops that are used as vital components in various everyday foods. (World Health Organization, 2014)
Evaluation
In consideration of all previously stated arguments, and grasping back at the original statement of this future scenario: Genetically modified foods: a futuristic solution to world hunger, a few key aspects arise, first, the GM crops will be key factors in contributing to food production. Which in time means that the availability of food globally and locally increases significantly. Secondly, not only will GM crops provide a more nutritious basis of food, it will also positively affect food safety and food quality. Even illnesses and diseases will be stopped from spreading within foods. Third, GM crops could positively influence the economic and social situation of farmers, meaning they could either improve or worsen their economic access to conventional food. This latter aspect is of particular importance given that an estimated 50% of all undernourished people worldwide are small-scale farmers in developing countries. (Qaim & Kouser, 2013) The GMO foods shall be introduced in the United States, and in European Countries such as Spain and Portugal among others, first. As they seem to be far more tolerant to GM food in comparison to France or the Nordic population. (Costa-Font, Gil, & Traill, 2008)
However, as said by Esther Boserup, “It seems somewhat unrealistic, therefore, to assume that a revolution of agricultural techniques by means of modem industrial and scientific methods will take place in the near future in countries which have not yet reached the stage of urban industrialization.” (Boserup, 2005). Meaning there is a long way to go until developing countries will be able to adapt to the Genetically Modified crop fields.
The final statement given by Goklany (1998) indicates what he predicted as future scenario, if the biotechnology kept developing as it has the past years. “That biotechnology not only has the potential to feed the world's billions, it also carries the promise of conserving biodiversity, by reducing the amount of new land brought under cultivation.” (Goklany, 1998) showing once more that in 20 years’ time the progress and development of GM foods has been groundbreaking. This progress that has been made in the last few years will only magnify and show bigger results in 20 years. Soon, in every household GM foods will be found, integrated with the normal products on the kitchen shelves.