Let Us Not Throw Caution to the Wind
The progression of science holds out the promise of new technologies that can solve urgent human problems. Among these problems are the international challenges of human hunger, malnutrition, over-nutrition, and disease. Much funding and energy to solve these problems is currently being directed towards developing technologies to genetically modify foods. These technologies can and already have yielded tremendous benefits in addressing human crises. One example is the recent introduction of ôgolden rice,ö normal rice that has been genetically modified to produce Vitamin A. Golden rice may keep as many 250 million children worldwide from going blind from Vitamin A deficiency (Judson, 2001, pp. 30-31). Corn and soy crops have already been genetically modified to resist field diseases, making them easier and more cost-effective to grow. Genetically modified soy and corn currently make up about 80% and 40% of U.S. production of these commodities respectively (Johnson, 2005). These and many other innovations involving genetically modified foods are already here or are on the horizon.
However, the application of any new scientific breakthrough to large-scale human activity requires a cautious approach. Is genetically modified food safe to eat? Are genetically modified plants and animals safe for the environment? Will introducing these organisms into our agricultural practices and food supply be safe for our economy? Asking these questions does not require that we simultaneously consider the balancing perspective of how genetically modified foods can help us. It is clear from the above examples that they already do and can have a measurable positive impact on human life. The question at hand is whether and the extent to which we may unwittingly harm ourselves, the environment, and future generations should we choose to advance too quickly without fully arsessing the risjs inherent in these technol...