Outline
The thesis presented here is an argument in favor of using genetically modified potatoes in the effective prevention of the deadly hepatitis B virus infection. Clinical trials have proved their efficacy in the prevention and hence should be speeded up to enable commercial use. It is proved that this method is effective, practical, and cost-effective. Despite some relevant but narrow counterarguments, the benefit of pursuing this process far outweighs the negative outcome if any of GM food.
The process followed is given here. It starts with an introduction about the topic which ends with the research questions. It then gives a background on hepatitis B and GM potatoes. An argument with references on the effectiveness of this prevention method follows next. A counterargument against the dangers of using GM food is also included. Finally, the conclusion is given where the counterargument is refuted and the point in favor of using GM potatoes as an effective prevention measure against hepatitis B is established.
Introduction
Hepatitis B is an affectation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It is considered by medical specialists to be the most common ailment in the world affecting the organ. This potentially dangerous disease which causes extreme discomfort to the affected can lead to major complications if not treated properly. The eventual outcome would be cancer or cirrhosis of the liver and even death. Fortunately, there are vaccines available that can be used to prevent the occurrence of the disease in the first place.
The unfortunate part is that it is expensive and needs refrigeration for it to be effective. Recent research has shown promise in genetically modified potatoes given orally to be effective as a safe replacement for traditional vaccines. The research question is “Genetically Modified potato, which serves as an edible vaccine against Hepatitis B, would be a more affordable way to prevent this deadly liver disease for poorest countries than regular vaccine”. The main points to be argued are
- Genetically modified potato is effective in the prevention of Hepatitis B infection when given orally.
- This vaccine is especially useful in poor countries where the cost of traditional vaccines is too prohibitive.
- Storage and refrigeration facilities in such economies are limited and will prove to be a barrier for use of traditional vaccines. In such a case, the GM potato vaccine is an advantage since it is more resilient against temperature variations.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B as mentioned earlier is a potentially deadly disease that affects the liver. It may eventually lead to cirrhosis, cancer, and even death, and hence prevention is the best option with regard to this disease. “Approximately 5-10% of adults, 30-50% of children, and 90% of babies will not get rid of the virus and will develop chronic infection.” (Hepatitis B Fast Facts: Everything you need to know in 2 Minutes or Less). Moreover, the fact that it is contagious is another area of concern. It is also extremely infectious and is considered to be 100 times more contagious than the AIDS virus.
Genetically modified potatoes
Research work in developing genetically modified potatoes is being actively pursued by many organizations around the world. In the context of this paper, it has to be mentioned that the main area of interest at present in such technology is to use the GM vegetable for commercial purposes rather than for human consumption. Commercial use of GM potato is aimed at extracting the starch content for the manufacture of ready-to-use starching products.
The commercial use of non-GM potatoes is a regular feature in the industry today. The main interest in the GM version came about due to the starch content in potatoes. Potatoes have two kinds of starch forms namely amylopectin and amylase. Of the two it is the former form that is useful for the starch manufacturing industry, the latter being used to make films and foils. At present, separating the two starch forms is a very expensive process.
It has been possible to increase the content of amylopectin in GM potatoes and hence the high level of interest in the product. Researchers are also trying to develop a variety that has only amylopectin as the starch form in potatoes. “Genetically modified amylopectin potatoes have been tested in field trials for several years.” (Crops: Potatoes). The focus of this paper will now be to establish that GM potatoes can indeed be used as an effective alternative to the traditional hepatitis B vaccine. In spite of concerns from some quarters, there is no real evidence that this product is not fit for human consumption, especially if used as a vaccine.
GM potatoes show promise against prevention of hepatitis B virus infection
Clinical studies of the effectiveness of genetically modified or engineered potatoes as a preventive aid to hepatitis B virus infection were first announced by the Rosewell Park Cancer Institute (along with researchers of the Arizona State University) in 2005. “Blood serum antibodies increased in 10 of 16 volunteers (62.5%) who ate three doses of potatoes and in 9 of 17 volunteers (52.9%) who ate two doses of transgenic potatoes.” (Roswell Park Study Evaluates Oral Hepatitis B Vaccine).
The advantage of this method is that this potato vaccine contains only “one protein from a virus.” On the other hand, traditional vaccines contain the milder form of many living viruses. Researchers say that the GM potato vaccine may even be safer when compared to the traditional vaccines available in the market today. In effect, once it has been clinically proven, the vaccine will not only be effective but also a safer alternative to the ones being used today.
Cheaper alternative
The cost of hepatitis B vaccines available in the market is quite high when compared with the income levels of the population of many underdeveloped, undeveloped and developing economies. The cost of a single shot of the vaccine may be as high as 250 USD. When converted, say to Indian rupees, it comes to approximately 10,000 INR. This is the cost for a single shot and three such shots are needed for complete immunity.
In a family of four, the cost of protection against the disease will touch nearly 120,000 INR. This is the scenario in a country where the average monthly incomes of many families are below 10,000 INR per month. The situation could be even worse in many of the nations in the African sub-continent. Moreover, families tend to be larger in size in poorer economies. Many of them depend on daily wages to earn a living. Once affected, the symptoms will prevent them from attending work for a long period of time.
The early symptoms which appear after 1 to 6 months after a person is infected include loss of appetite, lack of energy, low fever, aches in muscles and joints, a feeling of nausea and even vomiting, and many symptoms of jaundice. Acute hepatitis will require hospital intervention and a highly restricted diet that are low in protein. (Medical Encyclopedia: Hepatitis B).
Imagine a family whose daily income being deprived due to their inability to attend work. The only other factor other than ignorance that prevents a poor family from getting themselves inoculated is the lack of financial resources. In short, the whole process becomes a vicious circle, where lack of finances prevents immunizing, which in turn can result in an infection. This infection will bring down the already low finances of the infected family. It is also relevant to list some of the ways in which a person can be infected.
This is because the conditions existing among the poor section of the population in high-risk countries are very conducive to the spread of the disease. The disease can spread due to poor sexual practices, the use of contaminated needles, transfusion of untested blood, etc. An infected mother can give birth to a baby with a high risk of the baby being tested positive for the disease. Lack of proper family planning procedures and practices results in a very high birth rate in such economies.
Hence the risk of a large number of children being affected also exists. The cost of the vaccine itself and the resulting consequences of being infected is enough reason to see that proper prevention procedures are undertaken in such economies. The tests done by Rosewell Cancer Institute used raw potatoes the cost of which will be negligible when compared to vaccines. This is despite the fact that GM potatoes may cost marginally higher than traditionally grown potatoes. It is to be noted that even voluble critics of genetically modified plants agree to the fact that plant extracts from GM plants can be used for the treatment and prevention of diseases.
One instance given is that 250 acres of GM potato crop can effectively cover the immunization of “entire population of south-east Asia from the disease for a year.” (UK: Down on the Farm). The facts are given above (which originally appeared in the Guardian newspaper of UK) was in fact from a group that advocates for a GM-free Ireland. It is essential that clinical trials of the effectiveness of GM potatoes against hepatitis B infection be speeded up and the product is approved for human use. The next section on storage and refrigeration facilities will give additional reasons for the use of GM potatoes as an alternative to traditional vaccines.
Storage and refrigeration advantages
Like most vaccines that are injected, the traditional hepatitis B vaccine needs temperature controls to maintain its potency. An article by the World Health Organization specifies the temperature at which the ampoules and bottles be stored. “The storage temperature for HepB vaccine is the same as for DTP vaccine, from 2°C to 8°C. HepB vaccine should never be frozen. If frozen, HepB vaccine loses its potency.” (Cold Chain Issues: Department of Vaccines and Biologicals).
The publication also stresses that concerned authorities should ensure that the storage temperature is monitored and also see to it that the vaccine does not freeze. It is no surprise that such care in storage and refrigeration is available in the economies mentioned above. Even if storage facilities were made available, a proper mechanism for monitoring would not exist. As mentioned earlier, the trials were conducted at Rosewell Cancer Institute using raw potato that does not require any such stringent storage facilities. Even a simple home refrigerator can do the job effectively. It can be seen that the availability of highly subsidized vaccines at affordable costs is not enough to ensure proper prevention.
Refutation
Whatever may be the advantages of genetically modified food with regard to disease treatment and prevention, the dangers posed by the technology far outweigh the benefits. Genetic engineering produces seeds that are genetically identical. This means that if it is vulnerable to disease, every single seed planted by farmers will also be vulnerable. Hence a virus or fungal attack can wipe out the entire crop produced by the genetically modified seed.
This will be disastrous for the agricultural sector. Genetic engineering is largely untested with regard to safety in the long run. One cannot predict if any negative health consequences may crop up by the long-term use of GM food. GM is essentially a form of mutation.
Such mutated seeds will pair with non-GM seeds due to the process of migration. Such pairing of GM and non-GM seeds may result in the destruction of the original gene pool. GM seeds are more of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful to the environment. Taking it all into effect, the use of GM potatoes or any food for that matter cannot be justified, even if it is for the betterment of the health of society. The concluding paragraph will balance the arguments in favor of using GM food for instances like effective prevention and treatment of diseases.
Conclusion
Looking at the refutation given above, there are some strong arguments in favor of banning GM foods. But it ignores all other factors and focuses on relevant but narrow issues. It does not take into consideration that the modern medicines of today are equally harmful to human beings with regard to the side effects they produce. The race for profitability among pharmaceutical companies has resulted in improper testing of new procedures and drugs.
Moreover, the advocates of non-GM foods fail to see the point that the researchers of GM modified food are responsible and ethical human beings. All efforts will be made to ensure maximum safety before a GM-modified plant is fit to be ready for commercial use. The non-GM group does not also take into account the fact there are government procedures and policies to see whether a particular research outcome is safe or not.
The most important factor that that is in favor of GM plant treatment and prevention is the human factor. Imagine the number of lives that could be saved, the resource wastage that can be prevented if effective procedures using GM food are made available. It can be concluded that the prevention of hepatitis B using GM potato as an oral vaccine be ready for human use as early as possible.
Works Cited
Crops: Potatoes. GMO Compass. 2006. Web.
Cold Chain Issues: Department of Vaccines and Biologicals. World Health Organization. 2001. Web.
Hepatitis B Fast Facts: Everything you need to know in 2 Minutes or Less. Hepatitis B Foundation: Cause for a cure. 2005. Web.
Medical Encyclopedia: Hepatitis B. Medline Plus. 2008. Web.
Roswell Park Study Evaluates Oral Hepatitis B Vaccine. Rosewell Park: Cancer Institute. 2005. Web.
UK: Down on the Farm. GMFREEIRELAND. 2007. Web.