Economic+Threats

 Genetically Modified Organisms can and do pose Economic threats and concerns. Originally genetically modified food was considered a great inexpensive way for individual nations to feed their people. Biotechnology has been hailed as a miracle to solve problems such as world hunger, health and environmental degradation, particularly by biotechnology companies. Products are aimed at maximizing corporate profits. The socio-economics for the public, particularly in developing countries may not always be beneficial. A prime example of an economic threat would be an instance where taco shells that were made for grocery stores and a fast food chains that unknowingly contained a genetically modified corn that was only approved for use in food animals. This would cause a great deal of economic repercussions. Another example would be the research for scientific knowledge by initiating a scientific risk assessment, collecting data, and providing scientific evaluations on ecological, health and socio-economic risks of GMOs is costly in itself. All of this plays a large part in the cost of the development. Based off current findings about the behavior of corporations that produce GMOs, it would seem it is cheaper to produce and start selling than it is to test it thoroughly before allowing so many people to consume it.

 There are many costly disadvantages and threats to consider. These threats, for the purpose of what is being discussed here are geared and focused toward the economic aspect, however each topic can and does have multiple threats. Cross pollination has been a major concern for many years now. Many farmers are losing profits as a result of cross pollination."In addition, the Court opinion supported the Center's argument that gene flow is a serious environmental and economic threat.” This means that genetic contamination from GMOs can still be considered harm under the law, both from an environmental and economic perspective, another huge victory for CFS." (STEVENS, 2010)(p. 17-18 and p. 43) The spread of new more resistant super weeds, and super pests as a result of genetic tampering would be another cost increase. Costs would increase in order to develop new stains of pesticides to eliminate the threat of the stronger, more resilient pests. Destruction of the environment is another economic concern as it would cost money and time to repair the damage. America being the largest in GMO export we run the risk of upsetting other countries and going to war which in turn would be very costly. New allergies and diseases are surfacing and becoming more apparent and deadly which increases health costs. GMOs, plants, and technology are expensive to use and research, only large or multinational countries are able to produce them. Strangely enough companies have switched over to GMOs in order to spend less money to make and create in order to turn a larger profit margin, yet there are more people starving in the world today than there have been in 52 years.

media type="custom" key="12437368" align="left" width="110" height="110"