The Future of Genetically Modified Food essays

The Future of Genetically Modified Food essays Genetically modified food has been a topic of much debate ever since it was first introduced to the market in the early 1990s. Safety issues and economic as well as ecological concerns have been raised by many. While it is evident that there was a food supply issue the question is whether genetically modified food, or GMF, can solve world hunger problems, or even if that would be the best way to address the issue. Nina Fedoroff argues in her New York Times article "Engineering Food for All" that as food prices continue rising so does the number of people who may not be able to afford higher priced food. Unnecessary regulation by the EPA, Department of Agriculture, and Food and Drug Administration has slow down improving technology to allow for faster production of GMF. Evidence and extensive research over the past 25 years has shown no danger in producing modified crops. Fedoroff wants to see regulation lifted and a simple set of requirements focused on any hazards posed by gene Michael Pollan's view of gene modification is different. He argues that GM may be much more dangerous than people think and refers to it as biological pollution. Diversity of corn could be threatened by genetic engineering by allowing the modified organisms to end up in places they weren't meant to be and where no one would suspect they would go. Contamination by cross-pollination and trans-genes could replace genes that Extinction of these genes is very possible. Pollan is a professor of journalism at the University of California, Berkeley. Pollan has written a book called The Omnivore's Dilemma which describes four ways human society obtains food and follows each process to its source. He is a credible source to be arguing against gene modification. Fedoroff's appeal to Pathos can be seen in the first paragraph of the article when she mentions the "ranks of the hungry" are growing. She seems concerne...