Genetically modified organisms are a controversial and misunderstood issue for the public and the social media. Research shows that 88% of ASS scientists propose that GMOs are safe for consumption while only approximately 57% of the general public agrees that they are safe (Key et al. , 2008). However, the question is, if GMOs do not cause mutations in humans, why is the public afraid of them? The sources for this paper are three peer reviewed journal articles which include the following articles: Genetically Modified Plants and Human Health by Suzie Key, Julian K-C Ma and Pascal MW Drake, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. The other sources are Human, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Human Genetic Engineering by Patyajit Patra published on the Journal of Biomedical Sciences and Genetically Modified Foods by Chen Zhang, Robert Wohlhueter and Han Zhang. Genetically Modified organisms have drawn much attention from the media recently. However, the public is still completely unaware of the merits and demerits of the Genetic Modification Technology impacts. This is especially in the area of their applications.
Since the innovation of GMO organisms, there are two major concerns that surround the organisms. They include environmental and health risks in human beings. Because of their continued increase in the European Union, there is a possibility of increased concerns on their safety and the possible health risks. Despite the fact that the press carries out health campaigns, the information they present is in most cases not reliable and does not represent the existing scientific proof. The GMOs have their genetic makeup manipulated to make them disease and pest resistant and water efficient (Patra, 2015). Is there any reason to believe that GMOs are can cause harm to human health? The foreign DNA patterns found in GMOs do not pose any threat or risk to human health. Every food has some amount of RNA and DNA which the consumed amount is usually 0.1-1.0 g/day (Key et al. , 2008).
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Of possible concern in GMOs is the likelihood of the fact that the proteins released by the transgene can be harmful and toxic. This would happen when the transgene coded for a specific toxin is assimilated in the host’s system. However, the likelihood of toxicity occurring as a result of the protein in a Genetically Modified food is an important aspect of safety assessment that requires to be carried out. Another possible concern on the effects of GMOs on human health is the likelihood of allergenicity to products derived from Genetic Modified organisms (Zhang et. al , 2016). Studies carried out show that crops produced through Genetic Modification techniques or other breeding methods have the ability to cause allergic reactions. The concerns and worries that relate to the issue of allergenicity are as a result of two factors which include the likelihood that the genes from allergens that are not known can be introduced into crops that are not linked with allergenicity and the likelihood of developing new or unknown allergens through inserting the genes into the organisms or altering the sequence of endogenous proteins.
Despite the ongoing concerns on GMOs, the potential of these organisms is tremendous.More research and testing are needed on educating the public on the advantages and disadvantages of genetic modifications. It is no doubt that this technology will continue to cause intriguing challenges for the 21 st century (Zhang et . , 2016). Therefore, awareness campaigns on truthful and scientific facts about GMOs are important in addressing the fears that the public has. Education on GMOs should also be made available to the public. The education information should be published in a simple language that does not involve a lot of scientific jargons that the general public may not understand. By doing so, the many of the concerns and fears that the public has towards GMOs can be addressed.
In conclusion, although genetically modified organisms are believed to be safe by scientists, they do not lack their own faults. The crops may not be appropriate for small scale farmers in less developed countries and most researchers see them as a potential threat to food security in general. In cases where Genetic modified seeds may not give a solution, improved farming practices are better. The major goal of genetic modification should be extensive and should also assist in the creation of sustainable agriculture production but not cause misconceived propaganda of a miracle seed.
Reference
Key, S., Ma, J. K., & Drake, P. M. (2008). Genetically modified plants and human health. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine,101 (6), 290-298. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372
Patra, S. (2015). Human, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Human Genetic Engineering. Journal of Biomedical Sciencies,04 (02). doi:10.4172/2254-609x.100014
Zhang, C., Wohlhueter, R., & Zhang, H. (2016). Genetically modified foods: A critical review of their promise and problems. Food Science and Human Wellness,5 (3), 116-123. doi:10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.002
Bonny, S. (2008). How have opinions about GMOs changed over time? The situation in the European Union and the USA. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources,3 (093). doi:10.1079/pavsnnr20083093
