Verified Document

Gene Technology Research Paper

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...

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 benefits. Genetic modification of plants can theoretically mean higher…

Sources used in this document:
References

Damery, P., D'Adamo, N., Graham, M., Hoffman, M. & Riedl, J. (n.d.). The debate on labeling genetically modified food. Retrieved online: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~ethics/LabelGMFood.pdf

"Genetically modified crops gaining ground in China: Report," (2013). The Times of India. 7 March, 2013. Retrieved online: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/developmental-issues/Genetically-modified-crops-gaining-ground-in-China-Report/articleshow/18847379.cms

Hiatt, S. & Park, S. (2012). Influence and regulatory approval of genetically modified organisms. Academy of Management Journal. Nov 26, 2012.

United States Department of Energy: Office of Science (2013). Human genome project. Retrieved online: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml
World Health Organization (WHO 2013). Food, genetically modified. Retrieved online: http://www.who.int/topics/food_genetically_modified/en/
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Gene Technology
Words: 1232 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Gene Technology Genetically Modified Crop Plants The term genetically modified organisms, popularly referred to as GMOs, constitute crops, animals and even microorganisms that have undergone development my man and technology. Through the great leaps man has developed in technology, it is now possible to 'create' organisms and plants through the combination of genes considered superior, resistant and quick-maturing. Farming and animal rearing land brings a challenge in the current world, due to

Technology Evolution Many of the Electric Gadgets
Words: 1461 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Technology Evolution Many of the electric gadgets we use today like the cell phones and the home computers were invented in the 80s. Many multinational corporations came into existence in the 80s this spur the growth to a record 3.2% per year (Bellis, 2012). This was the highest nine-year rate in American history. This was occasioned by a number of factors some of which were economic, financial, legislative, and regulatory frameworks.

Gene One Case Study Gene One --
Words: 1636 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Gene One Case Study Gene One -- Leadership Change Gene One is a biotechnology company that has increased its revenues over the past eight years from two to $400 million per year. The company attributes its success to gene technologies which help farmers to produce vegetables without using chemicals. The board of Gene One decided to go public in order to gain more capital and to remain competitive and assure continued success.

Technology and Social Responsibility
Words: 1414 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Technology and Social Responsibility The objective of this study is to answer the following three questions: (1) What are three major factors fueling international technological growth? Explain the ways in which those factors impede or support corporate social responsibility. (2) What major corporate social responsibility issues arise out of the use of technology and scientific research? And (3) Compare and contrast organizational self-regulation vs. governmental regulation on issues such as eugenics,

Gene Tech Biological Basis Personalized Genomics and
Words: 1095 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Gene Tech Biological Basis Personalized genomics and personalized medicine refers to a collection of technologies and techniques designed to custom design pharmaceutical treatments according to the patient's genome sequence. The starting point for personalized medicine, which has also been called "stratified medicine" or "precision medicine" is the completion of the Human Genome Project (NHMRC, 2014). The Human Genome Project has permitted unprecedented access to genetic information and the implications the information has

Technology the Hazards and Benefits
Words: 763 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Analysis and Opinion: Unfortunately, the bases of some of the most vocal critics of science come from those who are completely ignorant of the many benefits of modern science. Meanwhile, the profit motivation sometimes inspires irresponsible risk taking by those who are more greedy than ignorant. Scientific technology must not be limited by ignorance, but it must be regulated so that legitimate ecological concerns are not overlooked for the sake

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now