Social+Threats



 XXXXX There are as many negative traits to GMO’s (Genetically modified organism) as there are potential positives. Although the technology of genetically modifying food has the potential to increase crop production yields, generate news ways to use plants, and new crops featuring an increase in nutrition. GMO’s have an impact on many people’s lives; one impact can be identified as social threats. To better understand the term social threat it must be broken into two terms, social and threat. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines social as; “of relating to, or occupied with matters affecting human welfare” (Merriam & Webster, 2011). Next, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines threat as; “one that is regarded as a possible danger, a menace” ("Merriam-webster," 2012 ). So, together it means someone or something that could be perceived as a possible danger or menace that may have a negative effect on human kind. Ethical standards should be applied to the further use and creation of genetically modified food, this would ensure the future for humans. Key questions that should be asked aside from potential use include: Will this hinder any human rights? Will this affect human health? Could this have future implications? Aside from ethical issues, to continue social stability other topics must be broached. The news recently has highlighted many of the negative aspects in the use of GMO to include; Unknown long term health effects Identifying who or what will be effected Who is really benefiting from their use, society or corporation? Identifying modified ingredients in food



**Unknown Long term health effects**, not enough time has passed for researchers to identify long term health problems related to the use of GMO products. Should companies research long term effects prior to releasing the product for use or consumption? **Identifying who or what that will be affected**, the manipulation of crop DNA can have negative impacts on the local ecosystem. “Issues of concern include: the capability of the GMO to escape and potentially introduce the engineered genes into wild populations; the persistence of the gene after the GMO has been harvested; the susceptibility of non-target organisms (e.g. insects which are not pests) to the gene product; the stability of the gene; the reduction in the spectrum of other plants including loss of biodiversity; and increased use of chemicals in agriculture. The environmental safety aspects of GM crops vary considerably according to local conditions” (Huff, 2009). **Who is really benefiting from their use, society or corporations?** Is the technology being used to help people or to increase profit margins?“Many people feel that genetic engineering is the inevitable wave of the future and that we cannot afford to ignore a technology that has such enormous potential benefits” (Whitman, 2000). **Identifying modified ingredients in food**, the answer is labeling. “Back in 2007, presidential candidate Obama said he would "let folks know when their food is genetically modified, because Americans have a right to know what they're buying"” (Fulton, 2011). The US does not include genetically modified ingredients on the labels of food in stores. Labeling products would provide people with the ability to decide whether to use GMO’s or seek an alternative.

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