An Issue Of Genetically Modified Organisms - Free Essay Example

Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are an exciting and valuable development for those who understand the increased efficiency they offer for food production. As population steadily rises, resources are dwindling. Currently there are 821 million people who are chronically malnourished and ninety-eight percent of them live in a developing country. To ensure food is available to everyone, local agricultural production in developing countries must increase. Relying exclusively on exported goods has led to this problem. While nearly thirteen percent of people remain undernourished even though the current output of the worldrs farms could supply over 11 billion people with 2,000 calories per day (Gerry). If provided genetically modified seeds, each family could grow their own food. GMOs could be helpful in stabilizing the hunger crisis in developing countries. Genetically modified crops could be engineered to grow in even the most arid of climates. A cost efficient reliable food source would allow families to spend money on other necessities like water, housing or healthcare. This boost in resources would not only help diminish world hunger, over time it would increase the economy and consumerism as well. The problem of world hunger will only increase. The human population is growing more rapidly than was initially thought. Recently the UN published their latest estimates which project the worldrs population to be 9.3 billion in 2050†400 million more than previously estimated (Herrera). Even the most propitious projections of population growth predict potential mass tragedy if we dont increase our crop yield and production. To prevent famine food production and distribution must change. The increased yield of GM crops offer could prevent the oncoming famine if implemented immediately. With the world already facing a high percentage of people going hungry, action must be taken now to ensure the malnourished population does not increase. For people living in privileged countries, GMOs are perceived as a dangerous new form of biotechnology. First world consumers see no immediate benefit from GMOs, whether it be lower prices or increased nutritional value. None of this is necessary for people who already have access to an abundance of nutritional food. The new technologyrs apparent lack of benefit leads consumers to believe it reckless and unnecessary. As the first world continues to fight the worldwide spread of GM crops, millions of people are dying of starvation. Although they are trying the protect consumers in developed countries, critics of GMOs are blocking a technology that could be of immense benefit for people in the Southern Hemisphere.