Technology

The debate over the safety of genetically modified foods on our health has received many varied resolutions from the public domain. Ongoing scientific research has claimed substantial levels of health safety for using GMOs by human beings. However, opponents of biotechnology have claimed that the modification of foods have long term side effects to the health of the users (Atherton, 2002). They claim that such foods lack natural nutrition constitutes and are thus not evidently safe for the long term use by human being. The intensified use of such foods has been indeed closely been associated with many health complications such as increasing rates of obesity in the global community (Whitman, 2000).

This paper is a critical discussion on the question of whether or not genetically modified organisms are safe for use by humans. The author in particularly argues in support of the thesis that GMOs are not safe for all age groups.

Definition of GMOs
GMOs can be simply defined as any kind of genetically modified plant, animal or microorganism (Karlsson, 2003). This is to mean that the genes of the living organism have been altered to meet some preset survival andor productivity characteristics. The process of modifying the genes involves either using molecular genetics techniques or protein engineering. It is through this process that non-native proteins which have been modified to match with the expressions of the new host are implanted onto the organism (Karlsson, 2003). The process of modifying ensures that the genetic differences between the organisms is overcome thus allowing for proper transporting of the protein in the cells.

Assessing Safety of GMOs
The debate on GMOs has received many contradicting opinions from scientific researchers. Although the process of authorization for use of GMO products is claimed to be based on safety assessment, no safety evidence has been identified for the long term use of such products (Roth, 2000). It is due to this reasons that there still exists many doubts on whether or not such foods are fit for human consumption. Statistical evidence has shown that the extensive use of genetically modified foods in the American nation is a leading cause of the high rates of obesity among the young of the nation (Whitman, 2000). Artificial sweeteners and soft drinks as well as fast foods are examples of such GMO products which have been evidently found to be a threat to the health of the citizens. It has been evidently claimed that three out of every four kids in the American nation are either victims or at risk of getting obesity (Whitman, 2000).

Why GMOs are not safe for all age groups
There are many reasons for the negation of the use of GMO in the society. The first is that they are highly nutritive and thus extensive use threatens overwhelming the body digestive and metabolism effectiveness thus risking the health of the use (Roth, 2000). This is best explained by assessing the level of artificial nutrition found in fast foods. Another reason is that the genetic modification of an organism is evidently found to alter its overall functioning (Atherton, 2002). This means that its natural constitutions are great compromised thus greatly compromising their potential nutrition values.

It is however to be realized that with the climatic changes which are taking place in the world, the development and subsequent use of genetically modified foods in the society will always be a necessity. It is based no this reason that the future generations of this globe will live to deal with the side effects of GMOs as such will always remain a necessity in ensuring sustainable food security (Roth, 2000).

In conclusion, it is evidently clear that the debate over whether or not GMO products are safe for use by humans is far from over. However, it is to be noted that there is much need for conducting more critical research to ascertain the long term safety of GMOs to the human health.