Introduction
Genetically modified food comes from animals and plants that have had genes from other animals and plants implanted in them. Over the years, human beings have modified plants and animals through breeding but the modern biotechnology employed in making genetically modified food allows genetic make-up of the plants or animals to be altered directly. This is aimed at generating much quicker results that the previous method could not achieve. Experts have speculated that this new technology has unforeseen effects on the environment. There are quite a number of advantages associated with this biotechnology but the adverse effects have also been pointed out. Most scientists indicate that the adverse effects of genetically modified food on the environment and to human health outweigh the advantages (Jasanoff 277).
In addition, genes introduced to some crops with the aim of making them toxic to particular insect pests may end up killing other valuable insects. These effects may also take place in animals and up the food chain. Consequently, a decrease in the diversity of wildlife may result in the affected areas and even lead to the extinction of some vulnerable species. There is also a possibility of spread of genes created to make crops become resistant to herbicides, pests and diseases to native plants. Pollen grains from genetically modified crops can also be transferred to other wild plants by wind or insects, fertilizing them and generating new, modified plants. This in turn could lead to formation of herbicide-resistant weeds as well as uncontrollable spread of vegetal species that are usually kept in check by natural diseases and predators (Jasanoff 279).
Another possibility that has already been documented is the spread of genes through transfer of pollen from the genetically modified crops to other crops that are non-genetically modified. In such circumstances, farmers and the genetically modified companies may enter into legal wrangles that could lead to other damages. The damages may include the compensation fees that one party has to incur. There may also arise issues such as the uncertainty of the type of food that consumers are taking due to the mixing of genetically modified genes and the non-genetically modified ones. When such mixing takes place, it will be difficult for farmers and other food manufacturers to be able to label the foods properly (Jasanoff 279).
Furthermore, the idea of planting herbicide-resistant crops is likely to bring more harm to the environment than its benefits. This is because many farmers might indiscriminately apply weed killers. Consequently, the excess chemicals could be carried to river banks by rain water and other waterways. This will lead to water pollution and thus these chemicals will interfere with aquatic life and sometimes cause death of fish and animals in them. Also, the waters will be polluted causing unforeseen danger to human life especially through consumption of the marine food and taking water from these polluted sources (Jasanoff 280).
Lastly, it is speculated that the benefits of producing genetically modified foods may not be available to all. This is so if the intellectual property rights and the patent laws used in the production of genetically modified food are controlled by a small number of private firms. If this is the case, the small group of people in charge of the rights to produce genetically modified food may deny others the access to the knowledge producing them and their genetic material. Subsequently, the nations in the developing world may become more dependent on the developed countries. The commercial interests associated with genetically modified foods may override other universal and potentially achievable goals of eliminating poverty and hunger in the areas affected hence restricting its benefits to the world at large (Jasanoff 280).
Conclusion
In essence, genetically modified materials have had mixed reactions from experts, scientists and researchers. It can be pointed out that the disadvantages that are associated with the manufacture and production of genetically modified foods outweigh the advantages. In addition, the unpredictability of the adverse effects of the genetically modified foods and other materials to the environment and other natural living things poses more danger than good. Therefore, the whole idea requires countries party to its implementation to review it all over again.
Work Cited:
Jasanoff, Sheila. "Between Risk and Precaution: Reassessing the Future of Genetically Modified Crops." Journal of Risk Research 3.3 (nd): 277-282. Print.
