Genetically modified food means transferring genes from other substances to other organisms (plants or animals), so it can provide farmers with more ideal biological characteristics on the crops and also solve the food crisis issues such as population explosion and smaller cultivated area. However, from the perspective of ethics, genetically modified food has not been fully developed, and the potential food safety issues have been widely discussed. I agree with Comstock’s statement on how to balance ethics and genetically modified food. The contents are multifaceted and complex. (Comstock, 2010)

Genetically modified food can be seen as an optional alternative for most people, especially those with high income or rich resources in developed countries. When two similar foods are put in front of them, for example, they are told that one is ordinary corn, and the other is genetically modified corn. Based on the uncertainty, they tend to choose to have ordinary corn. Since genetically modified food is an unreliable attempt for them, and people who can take the first step and try new things are only taking place a tiny proportion of the whole. It’s hard to condemn people’s choice of things, as it’s more likely a personal choice of foods. (Comstock, 2010)

As Comstock mentioned, there are two different ways of opposing transgene, extrinsic, and intrinsic. The external reason is the potential harm brought about by transgenic technology. But I prefer that even if something is harmful, we still need to weigh the pros and cons. If it brings more advantages than disadvantages, will people pursue interests and selectively forget its disadvantages? Comstock mainly advocates four intrinsic objections. The first three reasons have theological elements but not everyone will believe: “to engage in Ag biotechnology is to play God, to engage in ag biotech is to invent world-changing technology and to engage in ag biotech is illegitimately to cross species boundaries.” However, as a new type of agricultural biotechnology development, I don’t think it should be based on the consideration of theology, because theology is more of a soothing or mythological thought, just as Prometheus gave the fire to human beings, which is the ancient Greek myth, and the Chinese myth is that Nuwa created human beings. If people can feel the guide of God, why don’t they just pray to God to give us more abundant food resources and let the dry land grow crops? If this agricultural biotechnology can be arranged by God, many things can be taken over. Therefore, in essence, these theologies should not oppose or influence the development of new technologies. People should believe in the principle of self-sufficiency rather than live in the theological world. (Comstock, 2010)

For the fourth point: “to engage in Ag biotechnology is to commodity life” I have a dissenting opinion because when people discuss that we can’t treat living life as a commodity to be traded, we ignore another meaning that people give to this organism. When people use organisms such as crops and animals to trade, it also means social development and innovation. The invention of this new technology also gives infinite value to life. Although there is no sufficient reason to oppose transgenic technology in essence, I still think that there is no absolute answer to the thinking between ethics and transgenic technology. For example, we may bring food safety problems if we implement transgenic technology. But if we abandon genetically modified foods or this technology, we may miss a chance to rescue people living in food shortage countries. (Comstock, 2010) Secondly, genetically modified food also exists some disadvantages, for example, its instability may bring low income to farmers in the early stage of the experiment, the emergence of genetically modified organisms may also destroy the diversity of organisms and so forth. (2019) The relationship between ethics and the application of genetically modified foods are closely related, but there is again if there is a loss. I think the goal people should achieve is to maximize value while avoiding risks when weighing.

 

Reference:

Comstock, G. (2010). “Ethics and genetically modified foods.” In Food ethics. Springer, New York.

BioExploer. (2019). “6 Major Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Foods.” https://www.bioexplorer.net/disadvantages-of-genetically-modified-foods.html/