Gene Technology Research Paper

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Genetically Modified Foods: Rational for Topic Selection

Genetically modified foods are frequently in the mainstream media, making them a highly relevant topic of discussion in the areas of genetic science and gene technologies. As with most technologies and techniques related to genetic science, genetically modified foods are controversial and thus politically charged issues. It is important to be armed with facts before forming an opinion about whether or not genetically modified foods are acceptable, feasible, or ethical.

Biological Basis

Genetically modified foods refers to organic foodstuffs -- plants and animals -- "whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally," (World Health Organization, 2013). However, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can also include medicines and vaccines (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013). The primary process used to modify the genes of organisms is called recombitant DNA technology; as the term suggests, recombitant DNA technology involves recombining DNA molecules in ways pre-determined by the scientists. Using recombitant DNA technology, select genetic traits from various different organisms can be actively selected. Locating those traits on the DNA is the most challenging step in the process of genetic engineering of foods, but gene sequencing technologies and related software applications are making the task easier (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013).

2b. Social and Ethical Implications

The rapid increase in the use of genetically modified foods around the world makes it important to examine the social and ethical implications.

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According to the United States Department of Energy's Office of Science (2013), genetically modified crops have been planted in 22 different countries. The United States has planted the most genetically modified crops, followed by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and China (United States Department of Energy: Office of Science, 2013). China is rapidly increasing its use of genetically modified organisms and is soon to be a "world leader" in the use of GMOs ("Genetically modified crops gaining ground in China: Report," 2013). Because GMOs are becoming more common around the world, consumers will inevitably be eating genetically modified organisms whether they like it or not -- something that raises serious ethical concerns.

This is why labeling of genetically modified organisms is a key source of the controversy surrounding the technology. The "right-to-know" is therefore one of the most important ethical issues surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms. Europe is nearly unanimous in its suspicion about genetically modified organisms; whereas the United States and China have spearheaded the technology and resist efforts to label. As Hiatt & Park (2012) found, though, special interest groups representing major stakeholders in the for-profit companies that sponsor the sale and distribution of GMOs have been pressuring government agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture and ensuring that the technology remains unhindered.

On the other side of the argument are those who argue in favor of genetically modified organisms for their potential ethical and social.....

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