Gmo's

The controversy between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their economic, legal, environmental, and ethical pro’s and con’s is vast. The basic case here is whether genetically enhanced organisms, particularly agriculturally based life forms, such as pigs, fish, grains and rice are beneficial to the human race, or detrimental. Legal, ethical and scientific concerns arise. One question raised is; is it ethical to own DNA' If so, what happens when the DNA of a trademarked plant naturally spreads and grows' And how safe are GMO’s when eaten and consumed by humans' Are GMO’s the answer to world hunger or do GMO’s actually make the spread of hunger worldwide worse' What are the effects of GMO’s on the environment, particularly when they spread' Corporations such as Monsanto, who create these artificially enhanced life forms argue that a substantially vaster amount of food can be raised, quicker and more efficiently, contributing to the end of world hunger. Opponents such as Greenpeace, The Union of Concerned scientists and The Rockefeller Foundation argue that GMO’s have the potential to kill off native species, create pesticide immune pests, possibly are dangerous for human consumption and basically that nature does not need to be tampered with at the genetic level. Opponents also contend that there potential for monopolies to emerge where the production of food is concerned. Monsanto and other corporations that create GMO’s contend their products, such as canola seed, genetically engineered tomatoes, and vitamin enhanced rice are easier to grow and more efficient. However, they face a great amount of criticism from environmental groups who organize boycotts of their products, governments who refuse to purchase their goods due to the potential that it may monopolize farming into vast farms, operated by former farmers who are paid a substantially lesser amount than they would make owning their own farms, and scientists who question the safety of the products on the environment and on the humans that consume them. The creators of GMO’s also face a great amount of legal problems where patent laws are concerned, especially when their seeds spread or are used without their permission. On the other side of the issue, Environmentalists, many scientists, world governments and common farmers who oppose creator companies of GMO’s must fight against huge corporations, with a vast wealth of money and political power. They must also address the issues of world hunger, and better, more productive crops. This is a case of humanity verses nature. With better, pest resistant crops, wouldn’t food production be easier' Couldn’t more people the world over be fed, if there was more food' Questions arise such as distribution. Just because there is more food produced on the planet, does that mean it will be distributed evenly' Will the products of these vast GMO creating companies contaminate other species, possibly leading to their extinction and in the end, less food' And what will happen if private companies are allowed to own the DNA of living creatures' The environment, humans aside, does not appear to need enhancing. Life grows on nature’s terms. Do our current scientists, those that develop pest resistant seed, super sized cattle, pigs and fish, really know what they are delving into' And, in the end, do we really need GMO’s' Perhaps different farming techniques, different ways of distributing food and cheap vitamin substitutes are enough. In conclusion, this debate will continue as long as companies seek to sell superior agricultural products, at a superior price and environmentalists and other opponents seek to question, contain and oppose them. The answer to worldwide hunger may come only when both sides compromise.