Research Paper Example On Genetically Modified Food

The aspect of the Genetically Modified Food and Organism has been a subject that has attracted global discussions in the recent past. Genetically Modified Food represents a tremendous growth and advancement in technology and efforts that various countries and institutions around the world have undertaken to solve major food problems. Indeed, there is evidence that the world’s population is growing at a high and worrying. It is disturbing because an analysis and forecast of the population of the next generation is very high to the extent that the food crisis is likely to be experienced in the future. Different countries of the world have, therefore, made attempts of ensuring that there is food stability for the citizens and one of the best technological advancements of achieving it is through the use of Genetically Modified Organism. The concept of genetically modified organism represents a tremendous progress in the scientific field especially the discipline relating to biotechnology. In addition, it indicates a new era and debates in the field of genetic engineering (Nelson 5). Many scholars have observed that the rate at which the population is growing especially in the developing countries is very high. Such a trend may present difficulties in ensuring sufficiency of food among the population. A Genetically Modified Organism is a living organism in whose genetic composition has been scientifically altered to achieve the desired organism (Nelson 3). It is because of the need to improve food security and stability that many scholars, government institutions, and scientists have joined hands to put an end to the issue of food insecurity. They seek to end this through the use of genetically modified food. The Genetically Modified Food is crop plants that are created using molecular bio techniques, and such food is for consumption by human beings. Ideally, genetically modified food is the food from plants whose genetic composition is altered and modified in a laboratory for purposes of supplying certain nutrients and meet human needs. The process of genetic modification involves either the deletion or insertion of different genes into a crop plant (Ling, Howard and Joseph 47). Furthermore, focus has currently shifted to the regulation framework that oversees the process in Genetically Modified Organism. Internationally, the Cartagena Protocol and bio-safety Convention regulates the trade in genetically modified organisms and food. The regulations also differ from one country to another, and many countries have formulated policies to guide the manufacture and distribution of genetically modified organism.

The Cartagena protocol provides the rules and procedures for the handling and use of the genetically modified food. It also facilitates the safe transfer of the genetically modified products within and across the borders. The main reason scientists advocate the genetically modified food is because of its traits during growth and development. The genetically engineered crops have inbuilt features that enable the crop to survive very harsh and unfavorable climatic conditions. The genetically modified food in particular is resistant to attacks by pests and herbicides. The yielding capacity is significantly high and has resulted into massive food production in many parts of the world (Kreiper 61). The crop plant is altered in order to be able to thrive and flourish in any environmental condition that includes the dry weather conditions. As a result, these crop plants have resistance to drought and famine. Moreover, majority of the genetically modified food possesses the genetic material from Bacillus thuringiensis that is naturally occurring bacteria usually found in the soil. Inserting those bacteria into the genetic composition of the plant makes the crop plant to generate bacteria toxins that assist it in destroying the insects and pests that want to feed on it.

Additionally, the genetically modified food has enhanced nutritional value hence supplying certain vital nutrients that cannot be naturally found from other growing plants Kramkowska, Teresa and Krystyna 3). The nutritional value carried by the genetically modified food has helped many impoverished and developing nations whose citizens experience malnutrition due to lack of essential nutrients. Lack of vital nutrients in the body increases the vulnerability to diseases and increased mortality rates since the immune system is weak. However, with the introduction of the genetically modified food, the problem of malnutrition is slowly diminishing in those developing countries, and the population can easily access the required nutrients in their bodies. Genetic engineering technique has also enabled the production of valuable products such as drugs that are intended for boosting the immunity and improving the health condition of human beings. The first commercial production and cultivation of genetically modified crops was in t