Biocentric_Ethics_Analysis

Biocentric Ethics Analysis Sci/362 August 28, 2013 Shahir Haddad Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) mankind’s solution to how the world supply’s food. The effects are controversial, to all species. This paper will discuss inherent value, GMO’s and the controversy regarding them, Insight into the difference between natural and GMO’s life, and how they are different. Inherent Value is the value that an entity has on itself, for what it is, or as an end. Many people value what they consume, some might say genetically modified organisms have made it harder for mankind to cure itself form deceases, as repercussion are unknown. GMO’s have been an ongoing debate for decades. While farmers fight, to keep going they have been given an option to plant genetically modified seeds that might grow longer and more ample crops. World hunger and the pressure to produce a more ample harvests can not only cost farmers more, but can lead to lawsuits and accusations of mistrust between the producer of these seeds and the consumers. In 1986 genetically engineered tomatoes reduced many of the normal methods of preparation needed in preparing the growth of crops and made the tomatoes more resilient to many herbicides. The Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency did not seem too concerned over this new innovative technology. Eventually Bacillus thuringiensis was used in plants, an insect killer. This prevented farmers from having to spray their crops as an inspect preventative. In 1990 when “Forbes article “The Lesser of Two Weevils” was released stating “that cotton farmers in the United States had put 100 million pounds of agricultural chemicals on their crop each year for the last several years” (Newton, Dillingham, Choly, 2006) the media went rampant on this information. Controversy arose between growers, the media and distributors regarding whether these altered crops could pose a threat to human health and the ecosystem. Other countries were not too happy about the new and careless way the United States was treating its crops. Germany in particular did not agree with the US tactics on altering plants and seeds. Other countries that were not using genetically altered chemicals on crops reported that traces of these chemicals were being found in their crops. Chemically altered plants and seeds can eventually be transferred to other plants by natural weather conditions. When the seasons change many scientists believe that these altered plants or seedlings are transferred through snow or rain. This transfer can be through plants, insects and wildlife. One should consider the ecosystem when allowing known chemicals into the seeds, plants or the DNA of plants. The ecosystem, consisting of the sun, producers, consumers and decomposers, becomes fragile when man interferes. One should consider the possibility of how these altered chemicals could travel, making there way in human consumption. Changing the DNA of plants that people eat directly or indirectly can alter Mother Nature and mankind. The ramifications could take years to discover, some possibly being irreversible. In the U.S. over the last few decades have seen an increase in obesity, some speculate this is do to all the hormones and modification used in the foods we eat today. When discussing GMO and non-GMO crops many people do not understand the difference and what can be patented. “The preferred approach of the industry has been to use compositional comparisons between GMO and non-GMO crops. When they are not significantly different the two are regarded as “substantially equivalent”, and therefore the GMO food crop is regarded as safe as its conventional counterpart (Arpad, 2001).” When Monsanto claimed, “genetically engineered bacteria” that would enhance hormones in cows for increased milk production created controversy, “this time the United Nations was not on Monsanto’s side.” Many began to question whether genetically modified foods were ever a good thing. Americans tend to look at the profits that can be earned and have more trust in new technology used in mass production, rather than the dangers that could be involved. Perhaps in the United States people have a known empathy for the American farmer and how tough a farmer has it. News stories have aired on television pointing out how many farmers have lost their farms from loss of crops by drought, lack of rain or insects destroying their crops. Farm Aid and singer like John Cougar Mellancamp singing songs about his grandfather’s farm being taken from the bank. The song Rain on the Scarecrow, Blood on the Plow give people sympathy for this historical remembrance of what many Americans forefathers did to survive before the technology age boomed. “Some advantages for third world countries using genetically modified foods are, rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in third world countries. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences have created a strain of "golden" rice containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) (Whitman, 2000)”. Disadvantages of GMO’s have no regulation, with 60-75% of foods non-organic what are we really eating' Labeling is not required. With no labeling, and no regulation how do we know what we are eating is safe' Which bring us to health concerns, allergies; genetically modified foods have the potential to cause allergic reactions in people. “Through all of these disputes on what was right or wrong to use on seeds and crops, some made accusations that insects can land on chemically altered plants and take this to other plants leaving this substance to intertwine with the DNA of unaltered plants. Claims were made that situations like this were killing the “monarch butterflies (Newton, Dillingham, Choly, 2006).” One could compare this to what Rachel Carson suspected about the songbirds and DDT. In conclusion, from the United Nations Food Safety Agency to the European Unions, EPA, corporate America and farmers in all continents, this ongoing controversial environmental muddle will probably challenge each other forever. The effects of altering DNA will change all creatures of life in ways that may not be revealed for centuries. All species must adapt to their surroundings in order to survive. One species cannot exist alone. However, species need other life forms to feed off of, in order to live fruitfully in their ecosystem. References ➢ Newton, Dillingham, Choly, Lisa H, Catherine K, Joanne (2006). Watersheds 4. Thompson Wadsworth. ➢ Whitman, Deborah B (2000). Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful'. Retrieved from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php ➢ Pusztai, Arpad (2001). Scarcity of Safety tests. Retrieved from Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health' Retrieved from http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pusztai.html