Is Genetic Engineering the Answer to Ending Global Hunger?
Is Genetic Engineering the Answer to Ending Global Hunger?
Nick Simmons SCI207: Dependence of Man on the Environment
Instructor: Thomas Davis 9-3-2010
As with traditional plant breeding, genetic engineering seeks to develop plants that feature certain desirable traits. These could include developing plants that feature "input" traits such as resistance to pests or resistance to fungus and disease or plants that can withstand frost or drought conditions. This could also include developing "output" traits such as plants that have much higher nutritional content than traditional varieties (Turk and Bensel, 2011). Unlike the first green revolution, which was achieved mainly through traditional plant-breeding approaches, genetic modification of crops represents a fundamentally new technology. Traditional plant breeding sought to cross-breed or combine traits from the same plant types to produce a new and better variety (Turk and Bensel, 2011). In contrast, genetic modification works by removing genetic material from one organism and inserting it into the DNA of another, often in "novel" ways or in combinations that would never occur in nature (Turk and Bensel, 2011). This paper will be touching basis on positive aspects, as well as negative aspects to determine whether genetic engineering is the answer to global hunger.
The use of genetically engineered crops has grown rapidly in countries like the United States, especially for soybeans, corn, and cotton where GM crops make up between 70-90 percent of total production. This rapid growth has raised concerns about the environmental, health, and economic impacts of widespread use of genetically engineered crops (Turk and Bensel, 2011). Both the developed and developing worlds are facing a critical moral choice in the controversial issue of genetically modified food, also known as genetically modified organisms and genetically engineered crops. Critics of these modifications speak dismissively
Nick Simmons SCI207: Dependence of Man on the Environment
Instructor: Thomas Davis 9-3-2010
As with traditional plant breeding, genetic engineering seeks to develop plants that feature certain desirable traits. These could include developing plants that feature "input" traits such as resistance to pests or resistance to fungus and disease or plants that can withstand frost or drought conditions. This could also include developing "output" traits such as plants that have much higher nutritional content than traditional varieties (Turk and Bensel, 2011). Unlike the first green revolution, which was achieved mainly through traditional plant-breeding approaches, genetic modification of crops represents a fundamentally new technology. Traditional plant breeding sought to cross-breed or combine traits from the same plant types to produce a new and better variety (Turk and Bensel, 2011). In contrast, genetic modification works by removing genetic material from one organism and inserting it into the DNA of another, often in "novel" ways or in combinations that would never occur in nature (Turk and Bensel, 2011). This paper will be touching basis on positive aspects, as well as negative aspects to determine whether genetic engineering is the answer to global hunger.
The use of genetically engineered crops has grown rapidly in countries like the United States, especially for soybeans, corn, and cotton where GM crops make up between 70-90 percent of total production. This rapid growth has raised concerns about the environmental, health, and economic impacts of widespread use of genetically engineered crops (Turk and Bensel, 2011). Both the developed and developing worlds are facing a critical moral choice in the controversial issue of genetically modified food, also known as genetically modified organisms and genetically engineered crops. Critics of these modifications speak dismissively
References: Author- Anonymous, 2000: BUSINESSWORLD (PHILIPPINES): Transgenic Crops Not a Solution to Hunger Problems: Business World: http://search.proquest.com/docview/233884103?accountid=32521 Brasher, Philip. 2009. Gannett News Service [McLean]: Gates Says Genetic Engineering Key to Ending Hunger: http://search.proquest.com/docview/450319411?accountid=32521 Coleman, Gerald D, 2005: Is Genetic Engineering The Answer to Hunger?America Press: http://search.proquest.com/docview/209697382?accountid=32521 McAfee, Kathleen. Jan 2004: Geographical Review94. GEOGRAPHIES OF RISK AND DIFFERENCE IN CROP GENETIC ENGINEERING: http://search.proquest.com/docview/225328633?accountid=32521 Turk, Jon and Bensel, Terrence. (2011). Contemporary Environmental Issues. San Diego, CA: Bridge point Education, Inc. Retrieved from: https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUSCI207.11.1/sections/fm