The unending debate on genetically engineered crops or GMOs draws various opinions from stakeholders on the benefits and risks that these crops pose for the current and future generations. Interestingly, both proponents and opponents of genetically engineered crops base their arguments on various ethical theories. Considering the fact that plant modification has existed for centuries, the opposition to GMOs is unfounded partly due to misinformation. This paper, therefore, relies on the ethical theory of utilitarianism to argue in favor of the use of the genetically engineered crop.
Utilitarianism advocates for the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Rice University, n.d). The current food situation is the globe is that the food produced is either insufficient or not well distributed to reach everyone. The result is that there are reports of starvation in some third world or war-torn countries. Embracing genetically engineered crops can effectively solve this problem by introducing crops that can survive in specific weather, thus solving the problem of world hunger. Moreover, GMOs will help in bringing down food prices worldwide hence freeing up resources for other development agendas (Thompson, 2017). As such, using the genetically engineered crop to feed the masses, especially where people are suffering, is in line with the utilitarianism principle.
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Opponents of GMOs, however, argue that such crops pose risks to those who consume them and are also likely to interfere with the ecosystem. They base their argument on consequentialism ethics, which proposes that the consequences of an action should determine its rightfulness or wrongness (Al‐Attar, 2017). According to the opponents, GMOs are likely to cause allergies and destruction to the ecosystem as the consequences hence should not be produced. This perspective is, however, not proven scientifically, and one cannot be certain of these claims. Genetically engineered crops can reduce the reliance on insecticides, which are proven to destroy ecosystems (Thompson, 2017). As such, the benefits of these engineered crops far outweigh the alleged risks.
References
Al‐Attar, M. (2017). Food ethics: A critique of some Islamic perspectives on genetically modified food. Zygon(r) , 52 (1), 53-75.
Rice University. (n.d). Utilitarianism: The greatest good for the greatest number. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://opentextbc.ca/businessethicsopenstax/chapter/utilitarianism-the-greatest-good-for-the-greatest-number/
Thompson, S. (2017). How GM crops can help us to feed a fast-growing world. Independent. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/how-gm-crops-can-help-us-to-feed-a-fast-growing-world-a7544901.html
