Table of Contents
Introduction
With an increasing population globally, reports indicate that children die every year because of starvation, and a massive hunger in the third world countries; there is the great promise and the need to use the GMO technology primarily for the benefit of the world at large and the farmers (FAO, 2009). According to the United Nations, for the world to keep up with the demand for food, the production of food will have to double for the whole mechanism of feeding the people to succeed in the next 35 years (FAO, 2009). Despite this demand, we have to consider a fact that the amount of farm eligible for farming is shrinking.
Genetically modified organism technology is the answer for food security. Biotechnology is the only solution left to feed the where its primary solution will lie in increasing yield in the required amount of food in small pieces of land. GMO when labeled means less expensive way to feed the next generation and eliminate any form of hunger in the third world countries. This technology also cuts most cost primarily for the farmers and the consumers in general (McMahon, 2014).
Through the technology, scientists have been able to give crops built-in resistance to pests and diseases. This in a bigger picture means that there will be less harmful pesticides and other chemicals that are harmful primarily to our ever-changing environment. Studies have been able to prove that the introduction of soybean GMO in the United States led to a reduction of pesticides amounting to 13 million kilograms in 12 years up to the end of 2009 (Gardner, 2013). By reducing any form of spraying by farmers, GMO directly aids in the fight against climate change and global warming.
The other aspect of the use of GMO technology is that it does not give food its natural taste. Some of the examples include enhancing the sweetness of corn while peppers tastes tend to be spicier. Some opponents of GMO have been arguing the fact that natural foods have better tastes. GMO foods have been known to be rated higher than other alternative foods that have been grown naturally. GMO foods have a longer shelve life than natural. This in many aspects can translate to consumers being able to get foodstuff that is fresher and tastier. Through this initiative, there will be less wastage of food because of them being stale.
Biotechnology in other aspects can make the food to be healthier. In other plants such as tomatoes, their natural production of antioxidants can be significantly increased which in many cases have been known to prevent heart diseases and cancer. If there is an improvement in natural values of the food then it can boost the diet of the world, particularly in the developing countries.
The aspects of genetic engineering can be a great contributor to important goals. Many types of research have been able to demonstrate the development of crops that have increased efficiency in their nutrients, stronger insect and disease resistance, high content of nutrition, and great resistance to flooding and drought. Why should the current generation not use this technology to feed the growing population who face the risk of starvation and extinction in the next 40 years? The current practices and crops are outdated and not adequate to meet the challenges of the 21st-century primary based on feeding the people in the year 2200. If we continue to use the outdated practices, we will not be able to handle half the population in that year (Smedshaug, 2010). Opponents of GMO should be able to point out the technologies in the late 20th century that should not be there. The hard question is are they willing to give up on antibiotics, vaccines, water treatment, washing of hands before eating, the internet, telephone, organ transplant, vitamins. Are they ready to handle the Spanish flu, polio, or kwashiorkor. They should answer those questions with confidence.
In conclusion, all the advances and scientific inventions have been able to contribute to the improvement and development of the well-being and health of the human race. There is nothing very imperative in the future of humans than having nutritious and adequate food. Given the current challenges that planet Earth is facing, both environmentally and socially, we need to apply an A+ game in technology and science to the most significant items in our tables and fridge; Food. People in the year 2100 need to eat. We need Genetically modified foods in our society.
- FAO. (2009). How to Feed the People in 2050.
- Gardner, B. (2013). Global food futures: Feeding the world in 2050.
- McMahon, P. (2014). Feeding frenzy: Land grabs, price spikes, and the world food crisis.
- Smedshaug, C. A. (2010). Feeding the world in the 21st century: A historical analysis of agriculture and society. London [u.a.: Anthem.