Genetically Modified Food is bad Essay

The debate on whether genetically modified foods are safe for human consumption is marked with controversy in the political, social, academic, and economic fronts of our community. Proponents of genetically modified foods claim that it is the only viable solution to the food insecurity problem that is eminent in the global community (Roth, 2000). Some scientific research findings have claimed that genetically modified foods have substantial levels of safety for human consumption. Nevertheless, the long term health safety of genetically modified foods has never been confirmed (Atherton, 2002). Despite the numerous claims made by proponents of genetically modified foods, there has been not concrete evidence to qualify such claim, a factor that makes consumption of such foods a risk to the human health. Genetically modified foods have been evidently closely associated with some long term health complications (Atherton, 2002). According to available statistical evidence, the global community is witnessing an increase in the occurrences of terminal diseases such as obesity. This trend has been closely attributed to the ever increasing usage of genetically modified foods in the community (Roth, 2000). Records have shown that thousands of thousands of Americans have fallen victims of obesity. Indeed, this health problem has become an issue of national concern in the American society. According to scientist, the problem has been escalated by the common trends of Americans in using fast foods. This is because, such foods lack fiber components, which are crucial to the human body. Another reason given is that such foods contain high levels of energy, which are usually not necessary to the body. Therefore, genetically modified foods are no doubt a leading cause of the increasing numbers of obese people in the community. Although numerous scientific research finding claim substantial health safety for the consumption of genetically modified foods, no search has been conducted to qualify the potential long term health risk brought by such foods (Karlsson, 2003). It has been established that gene modification can result into totally different type of gene whose impact in the human body can not be predicted. Based on this reasoning it is certain that genetically modified foods cannot be claimed safe unless sufficient research has been conducted. Still on the question of safety is the fact that modified genes are commonly made using denatured toxins, which serve to make the foods more robust to infections (Roth, 2000). According to scientific claims, these toxins are in essence poisonous to the human body cells upon long term accumulation (Roth, 2000). In fact this is what has been identified as potential allergens in genetically modified foods which make some people susceptible to their consumption. In conclusion therefore, genetically modified foods are a potential risk to the sustainable health of the human community. We are no doubt experiencing the impact such have from the ever increasing illnesses such as cases of obesity in the community. Since the question of the long term safety of these foods to the human body are significantly eminent, biotechnology products should be regarded as an issue of concern for the long term social and economic development of the community. Just as is rightly claimed, with the available natural resources and modern technological advancements, the world is capable of supplying its population with sufficient food (Roth, 2000). Therefore, any claim of genetically modified foods being the only solution to the world food security is misleading. It only serves as an indication of ignorance and lack of concern for the sustainable future of the human community. References Atherton, K. (2002). Genetically Modified Crops: Assessing Safety. London: Taylor & Francis. Karlsson, M. (2003). Biosafety Principles for GMOs in the Context of Sustain. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 10, 12-43. Roth, G. (2000). Between the Rows: Sideline View of the GMO Debate. Retrieved January 17, 2010, from http://biotech. cas. psu. edu/articles/between_the_rows. htm