Genetically modified food and the future

Genetic modification involves technology that is still relatively young, and enough testing has not been done to ascertain its effect on potential human health impact. Nobody knows the long term effects of GM foods on humans or the environment. I think more time is needed to verify its effect before we will know the definitive answer with regard to safety. However, we can receive huge benefit from genetic modification.

First, less chemical treatment. The possible benefits from GM food are enormous. Among them, I’d like to especially emphasize less chemical treatment. GM technology can create crop varieties which are resistant to disease, thereby requiring less pesticides and safeguarding the environment. For example, import vegetable contaminated with pesticides from China is hot potato in our society. I believe that we can avoid such a threat through GM food. I mentioned ambiguous effects of GM foods on humans or the environment. Which is more fatal, a pesticide or GM food? I doubt China’s effort and reminisce about pesticides in the 1950s and 1960s such as DDT. So, it seems GM food is so far so good to me. The lesser of the two evils.

Second, added benefit or secondary effect from GM technology. Now I’ll take up gout for example. Gout is arthritis which causes pain. Usually, the joints in the big toe are affected. It is believed to be the result of gluttony and inherited. Now I’ll focus inherited aspect. If genetically modified technology applied for food is extended to other field such as genetic therapy, a lot of gout patients will be delighted. Especially me, because I’m one of the patients longing for such a therapy.

In conclusion, it can benefit our society as a whole. This technology can contribute to the public good and improve the quality of our lives.