AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLGY:
RISKS AND ETHICAL ISSUES
Scientists have developed more precise and efficient tools to produce crops and animals with selected characteristics that promise to support farmers and consumers through technology development. Agricultural biotechnology is used to enhance plants and crop quality using techniques, such as genetic engineering, plant tissue culture, etc. It helps in protecting crops by reducing the usage of pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals. It also decreases the pollution of water and soil from all toxic chemicals.
Agricultural biotechnology is the life sciences industry’s priority since it can solve problems related to soil sanitization and prevent livestock, birds, and humans from eating food products based on toxic plants. However, agricultural biotechnology has some of the possible risks and ethical problems discussed in this article.
1. Resistance To Antibiotics
The antibiotic resistance genes locates and trace the traits when plants are injected with new desirable characteristics. This method tells us that the transfer of genes has been successful. However, because this approach uses these antibiotic resistance genes, there is a concern that new antibiotic-resistant bacteria may arise that would be difficult to combat with traditional antibiotics. Although this gene’s risk of finding its way into the bacteria’s DNA is very minimal, this has resulted in the FDA warning food developers not to use such kind of gene.
2. Allergens
When exposed to specific proteins, called allergens, people with food allergies experience an unusual immune reaction in food. Around 2 percent of individuals have a food allergy of some sort in all age groups. For the majority of people, most foods do not cause any allergies. People with food allergies typically only respond to one or a few allergens in one or two particular foods. The possibility of introducing allergens and toxins into otherwise healthy foods is a significant safety issue posed concerning genetic engineering technology. Food and Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring that the levels of naturally occurring allergens in foods made from transgenic organisms have not substantially risen beyond the normal range found in conventional foods.
3. Negative Impact On Non-Target Species
Some scientists claim that transgenic crops have unintended and harmful consequences once released into the environment. While transgenic crops are tested before they are widely available, not every possible effect can be anticipated. For example, Bt corn produces a unique pesticide intended to destroy only pests feeding on corn. However, Cornell University researchers found in 1999 that pollen from Bt corn could destroy the harmless Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Half of the larvae died when they fed Monarch caterpillars’ milkweed dusted with Bt corn pollen in the laboratory.
4. Resistance To Insecticide
Whether insect pests may develop resistance to crop defense characteristics of transgenic crops is another concern associated with agricultural biotechnology’s possible effect on the environment. There is concern that large-scale cultivation of biotechnological crops in pest populations would result in rapid resistance build-up. Insects are exceptionally capable of responding to selective stresses, but no biotechnological tolerance has been established in targeted insect pests to date, despite widespread planting of biotechnological crops.
Ethical Issues Of Agricultural Biotechnology
Ethics in agricultural biotechnology encompass value judgments covering the production, processing, and distribution of food products and agricultural products. Here are some of the ethical issues which need our attention.
1. Interfering In God’s Creation
It is said that genetic engineering requires human interference in development and is, therefore, an unethical act. It is also seen as a religious problem that technology is so disruptive to life processes that it is disrespectful for the proper relationship between humanity and nature, a playing God. Some religions give each living organism a clear “essence” and thus associate the concept of the gene with the notion of essence. Others claim that biotechnology disrupts the natural order and crosses the boundaries of what is ethically allowed to be achieved by humans. Alternatively, there is the belief that science and development are positive things and are God-given forces to help us sustain life more easily.
2. Environmental Issue
Another ethical issue of agricultural biotechnology is related to the environment. People who support agricultural biotechnology claim that biotechnology can minimize harmful chemicals that can have adverse effects. As such, agricultural biotechnology is a positive thing. However, some people argue that the long-term environmental impacts of genetically modified crops, beneficial insects, and microorganisms are not well understood, so it is wrong to use these biotech goods at this time. The ethical conflict here is not much about protecting the environment but about how far we need to protect the environment. And it is also our moral responsibility to make sure that biotech products do not cause any damage the ecosystem for future generations.
3. Food Safety
Another ethical question concerns whether it is possible to consume genetically modified foods. Many people think it is ethically unacceptable to place people at risk because the food safety studies conducted on biotech foods are incomplete, biased, or based on the wrong kind of tests. Perhaps, the conflict is not about whether food safety is a positive thing, something we can do, but about whether we can assume that biotech foods are healthy for sure. And it is totally up to you whether you want to consume genetically modified crops or not.
Conclusion
Responsible scientists, farmers, and food producers recognize that the use of genetically modified crops needs to be taken very carefully to ensure that they do not pose any environmental and health risks. Modern biotechnology is a unique application of the Life Science industry that can improve society by developing crops with improved nutritional quality, pest and disease resistance, and reduced production costs.
Author bio:
William Patrick Slattery
President and CEO of Nieuw Amsterdam Advisors. He is regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the Life Sciences industry noted for combining a calm demeanor with a shrewd negotiation skill set that allows for navigating the most challenging business environments on behalf of his client firms.
