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| Introduction | Purpose | Quotes |
Conclusion |
Scientific knowledge has skyrocketed to a level far above the average person's ability to comprehend. We look at our food supply with a sudden realization that man now has the ability to change the very DNA that makes up living things. We are told that these changes are being brought about because of the desire to solve a potential problem with our food supply, such as drought resistant plants or reduction in the need for pesticides and herbicides. How do people outside of this scientific world look at these types of changes? Do they view them with suspicion? Or as being motivated by private industry trying to cash in on the new technology? Who is keeping track? Perhaps it comes down to the fear of the unknown, after all man is now tampering with life itself.
After finding an article on GMOs, I decided to do some research on them. I soon learned that scientists were changing the actual DNA of an organism in order to change it's characteristics. I also learned that genetically modified tomatoes would be entering the market soon. I felt very uninformed that this was going to happen; I actualy had to look the subject up before I heard about it. I decided to investigate what the public knew about genetics and GMOs, and their opinions on them. I also wanted to educate the public on what was going on seemingly behind our backs.
Biotechnology is a tremendous power. It represents the power to quickly, precisely and intentionally alter life. It could be used to achieve many benefits that would receive broad public support, it could also, potentially, be used to achieve goals that would inspire public fear. It is the intentional alteration of life that makes biotechnology a social issue. - Jennifer Espey, 'Socioethical Implications of Biotechnology' Consumer Connection
Every living thing on the planet is built from the same types of molecules, and at the molecular level of life, every living thing functions in fundamentally the same way, whether a human, a goldfish, a maple tree, or an earthworm. Biotechnology operates at that molecular level of life. - Eric Grace, 'Biotechnology Unzipped' Trifolium Books.
Most scientists involved in genetic research would argue that the ability to shortcut the evolutionary process is indeed sensational, but answering the second part of the question is not a matter for science alone to debate. People must be able to trust the food they eat, and that trust is based on human perceptions that are influenced by ethical values, economics and politics, as well as by scientific evidence. - Alexander Wooley & Andrew Vowles. 'Sensation Science of Science Fiction?' Guelph Alumnus
Through my questionnaire and other sources I found that the public was aware that GMOs are a possibility for the future, however they did not know much about them, how they are developed and why. They also have no idea it is possible that they could be eating them in the next year without knowing it. Most of them were against genetic modification, but everbody felt if GMOs were going to be put on the market, they should be tested for long term effects on humans and the environment. The public also felt they had a right to choose and therefore all genetically modified foods had to be clearly labeled so they had the ability to choose between genetically modified, organic, or standard varieties. In conclusion people either wanted their food left alone, or wanted thorough testing and compulsory labelling done before GMOs reached the market.
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