Since close to three decades now, genetic food modifications at a commercial scale have gone mainstream throughout developed economies across Europe and Asia. The very first genetic modification of foods such as tomatoes and corn took place in the United States in the late 20th century. Since then, a whole range of agricultural produce has joined the list, under a supposed strict watch by regulatory authorities such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the European Union Soil Association. However, debates regarding the suitability of genetically modified organisms (GMO) food products for human consumption continues to evoke controversy as to whether they are safe for human consumption or not. Chief among the concerns is the fear that the crops pose health hazards, especially in the long term. The article "impact of genetically modified food on human health,” by Muhammad Faisal strongly makes a contribution to the debate by highlighting both the positive and negative impact of GMOs. Despite genetically modified organism being a solution to the issue of food insecurity, there is need to focus on the negative implications especially on human health.
Sides of Argument
For ages, opinion is divided between pro-GMO referring to people that give GMO products a clean bill of health and anti-GMO representing the individuals’ that stringently hold that the effects are harmful to humans. The conflict extends widely far beyond the media into academia and research as well. Not surprisingly, though, both sides of the divide involve leading global companies, non-profits and government institutions defending vested interests. As with any other global conflicts, the most pernicious element of the discussion is separating the politics from the science. The topic of genetically altered food deserves due attention since it is assisting with environmental conservation and addresses the issue of food insecurity for the general well-being of humans. Considering the rapidly increasing consumption of genetically modified food (GMO food) products it is vital to know if they have any impacts on the human health. The paper seeks to review a radical article supporting the claim that GMO products should be treated with suspicion as it causes untold effects to human health and the natural environment. The discussion seeks to dispel all possible counterarguments and hopefully establish the research paper's objective truth.
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Summary
The article of concern is titled "impact of genetically modified food on human health,” published in the Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST) and authored by Muhammad Faisal alongside three colleagues from across Asia’s top-class universities. The journal article is written to deepen the knowledge base of the general public on GMO products. The paper also aims to sensitize the reader on the dangers of consuming GMO foods, and ultimately reduce dependency. The article declares its standpoint rather wryly - that despite the numerous benefits GMO foods provide, no intervention can mitigate the associated health risks. The paper offers five reasons: Potential harm to the gut, carcinogenic reactions along the digestive tract, potency for liver damage, and immune response to antibodies, as well as allergies. What makes the journal article authoritative and dependable is the facts that are presented. The facts make the paper authoritative as someone can easily resonate with the issues discussed. For instance, everyone is aware of the positive implication of GMOs and is in a position to strongly contribute on the discussion on the level of effectiveness especially on their health. Furthermore, the authors do not attempt to push through strawman's arguments at any incidence. In the following paragraphs, I will evaluate the paper's rationale, justify its presuppositions, and reaffirm its thesis.
Writers Argument
Genetically modified organisms have played a huge role in dealing with the issue of food insecurity across the globe. May countries are running out of resources such as land that they can use in the production of crops. Also, there are nations that are facing hunger crisis and are not in a position to manoeuvre through. GMO has been a solution to such problems and should be adopted in the massive production of food. Ingestion of some of the toxins and chemicals used in the production of GMO food may be harmful to our health. But there is no sufficient evidence to show that the toxins and chemicals are key contributors to the human health problems. Thus, more resources should be allocated on research and development with the aim of establishing if GMO has any health effects on humans.
Purpose
Being veteran scientists in biotechnology and molecular science, Faisal et al. (2019) present their opinions on the subject from an informed perspective. The paper is a conglomeration of a series of observations drawn from multiple fine-tuned experiments in crop production by genetic engineering. For instance, the report observes that Agrobacterium tumefaciens , a gram-negative soil bacterium, are manipulated carefully with the aid of electroporation and synthetic transformations. The genetic manipulation results in crops without tumours. By the same token, Faisal et al. (2019) fault the process since they establish that the resultant bacterium's genetic makeup poses a proclivity of building toxicity in the mammalian liver and pancreas. Similarly, the paper purpose to maintain the genetic modification of human food escalates mutations in the DNA properties, which inadvertently aggravates mutagenic processes when ingested, thus causing varied forms of cancer.
Besides, the article plays a persuasive purpose since it cushions its proofs with previously established findings by reputable research teams and institutions. Faisal et al. (2019) infer from world-class laboratory tests and studies in renowned journals to support the conclusions they arrive at regarding GMO food hazards. A case in point is the argument that a GMO diet increases the likelihood of weakening the digestive tract by 35%, whose inference is drawn from an experiment conducted by the FDA with twenty female rats. Similarly, the paper bases on a US survey to illustrate the proportions of GMO food consumption per country across the globe vis-à-vis the predisposition to organ damage and carcinogenic complications in the gut as a result of the diet.
Rhetorical Tools
Faisal et al. (2019) strategically appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos in presenting their argument as illustrated below. Faisal's peers being equally distinguished professors from well-respected departments in their departments complements the ethos. Hence, understanding the professional merit of the authors makes the article credible. As for logos, the paper presents indisputable facts and figures to approve the contents. For instance, Faisal et al. (2019) offer a pie chart visualizing GMO food consumption per country, which intuitively aids in understanding the message. Concerning pathos, the peer-reviewed article occasionally takes a subjective perspective to persuade the reader to understand the situation from a personal viewpoint. For example, Faisal et al. (2019) contrast the economic value of mass-producing GMO products against the cost of producing healthy organic food that is just enough for essential nutrition. Invoking a consumerist perspective of the argument reaches out to the emotions of the reader. Of all the three, the appeal to logos is predominant, given that the paper is almost entirely devoted to presenting as much scientific evidence against GMO food's favour.
Counterargument
A common objection to criticism of GMO food is that it is the single most appropriate solution to the looming food shortage in the wake of overpopulation. The argument reasons that genetic engineering will help mass-produce quality food for the bulging global food markets. It further trivializes the health hazard factor, citing that the risk is minimal. However, other present a counterargument stipulating that producing colossal amounts of potentially toxic food would create a bigger problem than the current food shortage issue. Technically, enhancing mechanized organic farming in third world economies would serve the problem more amicably. Similarly, it would be saner to fine-tune agricultural technology to increase crops' resiliency, rather than hoodwinking ecology to maximize yield treacherously. As Faisal et al. (2019) maintains, active genetic components such as Cry toxin pose gradual risks that should not be overlooked. But there is lack of enough research evidence that GMOs possess a risk to the human health and are not safe for consumption. It’s been a long time since humans started to consume genetically modified foods. For those who have fallen ill there is no evidence to show the existence of a link between the GMO food consumed and their illness.
Evaluation
The final decision is consistent with Faisal et al. 's (2019) sense that GMO foods should cease to be touted as the solution to the current global food shortage. My evaluation, informed by the main article discussed above, is that GMO food possesses probable subtle technicalities that could accumulate to a health crisis in the long run. There is a strong support on GMO agnostics that while a fair amount of evidence gives the products a red light, due caution must be exercised before declaring the GMO food solution mainstream and valid. The counterargument makes my position stronger since it pokes holes in the reasons meant to challenge downsides of GMO foods. Having a discussion on some of the bacteria and mechanisms of creating GMO foods emboldens the scepticism presented in the discussion above.
While the debate on the effectiveness and efficiency of genetically modified food remains elusive, strong opinions favour the idea that they are healthy and a solution to food insecurity. The main article of this discussion presents over five reasons to disbelief the publicity that GMO foods are free of any adverse effects on the human body and the environment. Reasonably, the paper provides concrete evidence that can be vital in questioning the health credibility of GMO food. Above all, the author clarifies that GMO food is neither meticulously safe nor unsafe, providing limitations to each end.
Reference
Faisal, M., Saeed, M. A., Aslam, M. M., & Raheem, M. A. (2019). Impact of Genetically Modified Food on Human Health. Middle East Journal of Applied Science & Technology (MEJAST), 2(1): 75-86.
