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The rapid acceleration of technology combined with intense business rivalry has improved the lifestyles of consumers tremendously. But the introduction of genetic modification in the food industry has raised serious political, social, economic, and ethical questions. And having been brought up with the notion that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, I find myself wondering if this is still the case.
Worldwide food shortage
As the current global shortage of maize and wheat causes prices to soar, food manufacturers are turning to genetically modified crops. The price of maize, for example, has tripled in the past two years. The rises have provoked riots in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Haiti, and Thailand. The shortage is caused by growers switching to more profitable crops for biofuels, growing populations, extreme weather, and ecological stress.
Previously manufacturers paid a premium for conventionally grown staples to avoid consumers' backlash but cannot now afford to be so choosey. Acceptance of genetically modified foods by consumers may accelerate their development, which might bring benefits to poor countries.
Genetic modification
The transfer of genetic information from one organism, such as a plant, to another is called genetic modification, and this can lead to plants with more vitamins or plants that are more resistant to herbicides. Initially, genetic manipulation enabled farmers to use alternative solutions to pesticides and to delay ripening.
In subsequent years the technology enabled foods with lower fat content to be produced. The nutritional value and the absence of potentially toxic herbicides, in the short term, is perceived to be beneficial to the consumer. w1 The technology for genetic modification is evolving, and it will become used more in animals and fish. w2 w3
The importance of agriculture
Arguably, the economic benefits offered by pursuing such technologies are tremendous: genetic modification "could determine the competitiveness of Europe in agricultural and food processing," said Philippe Busquin, the European commissioner for research. w4 The agriculture and the food industry is Europe's leading industry and has an annual turnover of [euro]600bn (£480bn; $950bn). It is also Europe's third largest employer, providing 2.6 million jobs.
"Holding back the use of genetic modification could have massive economical implications as other parts of the world are investing heavily in it," Mr Busquin thinks. w4 Politically,...