While science questions the safety of GMOs, ethics questions whether it should be done in the first place. The virtues ethical theory best explains how people should act towards each other (Berg, 2020). According to this theory, a person should be judged based on their character instead of actions. Thus, in case of GMOs, it is necessary to acknowledge the internal motivations and character in people that adhere to this type of food production. The process of growing food with the assistance of GMOs could be eroding virtues while producing vices. In contrast, according to the deontology theory, all decisions should be assessed from the perspective of strictly predefined rules and norms. Nevertheless, since this theory disregards internal motivations and personal factors of influence, the question of GMO’s should be discussed within the virtues theory framework.
Unethical Use of GMOs
While the GMOs have been invented for the right reasons, corporates in this space seek to master, profit and control, resulting in vices of arrogance, greed, and dominance. Referring to the virtues theory, these vices influence their actions which result in harm, not good. The long-term consequences of these substances in our bodies are fatal. According to the World Health Organization, over 250 million preschool children are suffering from Vitamin A deficiency (Vitamin A Deficiency in Children, 2022). Two million die as a result, while over five hundred thousand others go blind (Vitamin A Deficiency in Children, 2022). Companies using this technology to produce foods say they could bridge the gap faster, saving the lives of many. Yet, most of them are exploiting GMO technology for selfish gains. They have a duty to either generate more income or are committed to eliminating the initial problem that they ignore how their actions are making the world worse in a moral sense. The deontology theory disregards the harm caused by the need to fulfill one’s obligations and duties. On the other hand, a virtuous person always finds the best way with the least or no negative effects to the participants.
Conclusion
Virtues are more important in realizing a safe world compared to fulfilling one’s duties. The virtue theory allows people to think about their actions in a way that would cause businesses to reconsider the GMOs use. It is ethically wrong to grow crops using GMOs since they result in problems to the people and the environment. It is unethical to operate in this sphere due to the possibility of avoiding it.
References
Berg, H. (2020). Virtue ethics and integration in evidence-based practice in psychology. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.
Vitamin A Deficiency in Children. (2022). UNICEF DATA.