Technology
Technology has been of great help to the society at large through helping to simplify tasking activities and improving efficiency as well. As time goes by scientist discover new ways to improve the various forms of technology which in turn benefit the people across the globe. While scientific advances are made with the best intentions they are usually a double-edged sword. Genetically modified foods are foods produced from plants or organisms which had their DNA sequence changed through genetic engineering. Genetic engineering helps to introduce new traits and also facilitates greater control of traits of the plant or organism as compared to natural recombination.
Environment
One of the unintended consequences of genetically modified foods to the environment is gene flow whereby gene transference occurs between conventional crops and genetically modified crops. Gene transfer occurs through pollen transfer whereby the pollen is moved from the genetically modified crops to the conventional crops nearby by the help of insects or birds carrying the pollen. If the gene from the genetically modified crop offers selective advantage characteristics it causes a disruption in the ecological system as the conventional plants obtain the selective advantage characteristic which ends up suppressing other plants in the ecosystem (Vib, 23). When other plants get suppressed, they do not develop within the expected time frame or even end up withering leading to loss of conventional plant species due to the gene flow between GM crops and conventional crops.
Some of the genetically modified crops are designed to protect themselves against pests however this characteristic sometimes ends up harming useful insects such as the honey bee and other non-targeted insects. Animals such as the bee are useful to plants as they facilitate pollen transfer which leads to pollination and later fruit or seed formation on the plant (Vib, 17). The self-protection mechanism on some of the genetically modified crops as a result of insect resistance cause a shift in the ecosystem as more bees get killed by the genetically modified crops and this leads to plants being less pollinated and thus not producing harvests.
Another unintended consequence of genetically modified foods to the environment is invasiveness whereby when a new crop trait is introduced in an environment it leads to overgrowth whereby the crop grows at a rampant rate thus becoming a menace and an obstacle in the environment. One of the examples of crop invasiveness as a result of being introduced in the environment is the South American water hyacinth which has overgrown on Lake Victoria in Kenya affecting marine life (Vib, 29).
Scientific
With regard to science, some genetically modified foods increase or lower the body's naturally occurring proteins, toxins among other compounds. When the genes from known allergenic sources are used in gene transformation, the final food product will contain the allergen which poses an increased risk of allergenicity. Allergens affect people differently in some people, they may develop mild reactions but in some cases, it may be fatal resulting in life-threatening situations (Green facts). Concerning this, there is the need for the continuous testing of genetically modified foods which are in the market by the International Council for Science. When the ICSU finds increased levels of allergens and toxins in a food it is supposed to be discontinued for public safety.
The first Generation genetically modified crops were developed from antibiotic-resistant marker genes. Horizontal gene transfer is practiced in genetic modification of foods and if these gene markers are transformed from the food product into the human body or through bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, it can lead to the formation of antibiotic-resistant strains. The formation of antibiotic-resistant strains in the human body had adverse health effects (Green facts). Concerning this, when the affected individual gets sick the antibiotic medication may not be of help to them as a result of the antibiotic resistance developed in the body due to the use of genetically modified foods.
Social
Many people avoid consuming genetically modified foods even though it has benefits because they believe that the foods are produced in an unnatural way. Most religious and cultural communities stay away from genetically modified foods because the see that the introduction of foreign genes altering the conventional plant or animal properties is wrong (Bawa " Anilakumar). Another unintended reason as to why people are against genetically modified foods is that they cause diseases and harm the body in various ways. Some of the diseases believed to be associated with genetically modified foods are such as liver problems whereby the individual ends up having smaller, atrophied livers (Institute for Responsible Technology). The liver is a very important organ in the body as it helps in the breaking down of worn out cells as well as detoxifies the blood. Having a faulty liver is one of the reasons why people prefer not to eat genetically modified foods in order to stay healthy.
Another unintended consequence of genetically modified foods from the social perspective is its effect on the reproductive system. Research indicates that increased consumption of some genetically modified foods can lead to various reproductive defects. It is believed that genetically modified foods can cause mortality when given to children (Institute for Responsible Technology). Also, the genetically modified foods affect the testicles by altering the sperm cells and in extreme cases, they can cause sterility.
Some of the supplements used in genetically modified foods like L-trytophan ended up killing many Americans in the 1980's and causing many others to be very sick. Such an image painted by the consumption of genetically modified foods ends up causing people not to have faith and use any genetically modified products as the people are in fear that they may be victims of diseases after using the GM foods. Also, it is believed that the genetic material which is used in the genetic modification of the various foods stays within the body and continues to function (Institute for Responsible Technology). The inserted genes are believed to continue operating long even after the person has stopped eating genetically modified foods. The risk associated with the remnants of the inserted genes in the genetically modified foods is that it causes super diseases, resistance to antibiotics and that the inserted genes could transform into living parasites in the body. All these factors negatively affect the way the society at large looks at GM foods and thus they become less popular.
Works Cited
Bawa, A. S., and K. R. Anilakumar. “Genetically Modified Foods: Safety, Risks and Public Concerns—a Review.” Journal of Food Science and Technology 50.6 (2013): 1035–1046. PMC. Web. 15 Oct. 2018. Retrived from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791249/
Green facts. “Genetically Modified Crops” 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.greenfacts.org/en/gmo/3-genetically-engineered-food/4-food-safety-labelling.htm#0p0
Web
Institute for Responsible Technology. “Health Risks.” Retrieved from: https://responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/ WEb
Vib. “Effect of Genetically Modified Crops on the Environment.” Retrieved from: http://www.vib.be/en/news/Documents/vib_fact_genetisch%20gewijzigde%20gewassen_ENG_2016_LR.pdf
