Introduction
Adaptability to changing ecological conditions is the basis of natural selection. Amongst humans, food availability is a critical selective pressure that significantly affects developing nations (Bin Rahman & Zhang, 2023). With the changing climatic conditions characterized by drought, human beings face the pressure to produce quality and enough food products to cope with the high demand. Biotechnological approaches to producing high-quality food products have been adopted to ensure food security in unfavorable climatic conditions. The resultant food products, which are relatively high in yield compared to conventional food products, are genetically modified crops (Bin Rahman & Zhang, 2023). However, societal acceptance of genetically modified plants, such as golden rice, must be accepted among developing countries, dragging the adaptability process. This research paper argues the suitability of genetically modified plants, specifically golden rice, among the Asian and African continents, where rice is a staple food.
Background of the Study
Food availability is a selective pressure directly affecting human survival abilities. Natural selection determines the subsequent reproduction among organisms and the extinction of the other. Human beings, through the heart of natural selection, have devised survival modes by increasing the abundance of selective pressures through technological innovations. Food availability is a central factor in human survival. Lack of enough food in the world triggers competition amongst the living population, threatening the occurrence of deaths among humans. According to Karimova (2020), 900 million people are undernourished and currently face starvation due to reliance on conventional modes of food production. With the current global trend, 21% of Africa would be wiped away, making plant-breeding technologies necessary (Karimova, 2020). Through biotechnology, humans have developed more nutritious food products such as soybeans and golden rice. Also, using genetically modified technology, salmon, which is laboratory-breaded, has been produced to supplement humans with the much-needed nutrients for survival. Considering the human nutrient requirement, the research paper will consider the planned breeding technologies that have led to the production of Golden rice, a safe food product consumed in India and Africa.
Literature review
Biotic and abiotic stresses increase the risks of crop failure when planted. Biotic factors include the invasion by pests and diseases, while biotic factors majorly deal with climate-related risks. In Asia, rice is a staple food that 60% of its population consumes (Moradpour et al.,2019). The current production level makes the continent dependent on imported rice to cater to its internal demand, increasing the chances of food insecurity as a crisis occurs in their supply nation. Food security and nutrient quality are a selection gap pressure since it determines the occurrence of malnutrition amongst children, a condition that leads to death. Taking the case study, Indians who depend on rice as a staple food are faced with the considerable risk of children deaths due to the high demand-supply disparity in the product, the conventional rice production proof inadequate for the fast-growing population guarantees security, the county solely depends on importation which is expensive considering India economics status.
The golden rice grains, products of the plant breeding process, have proved to be the ideal solutions to food availability and food security, improving human survival in vulnerable regions. In the making of the golden rice grains, proactive vitamin A is added, which improves its nutritional value and protections against significant child nutritional disorders; with this commercialization of golden rice in developing countries, equal chances of children’s survival are guaranteed across the world (Bin Rahman & Zhang, 2023). Initially, the mortality rate between developed and developing countries greatly varied due to the lack of essential mineral supplements among people experiencing poverty.
Golden rice, a genetically modified technology, has helped curb the essential nutritional deficiencies in their ley steps. First, due to the high resistance to drought and cold climate, the success rate of golden rice is six times that of conventional rice (Bin Rahman & Zhang, 2023). The high success rates lead to food security ins the tropical regions of Africa. With the adoption of golden rice, the harvest yield is high, promoting food security and quality. In regards to nutritive value, golden rice is rich in Vitamin A substitutes. Various golden rice can be produced to grow in different ecological zones. For instance, in 2002, the temperate region golden rice suitable for the European nations was used to develop tropical golden rice suitable for India and African nations.
Analysis of the problem
Genetically modified organisms face much resistance from the general public due to the over-reliance on connectional crops. Based on the case study, over 12 million acres of genetically modified rice, commonly called s golden rice, was planted for experimental purposes in 2018 (Moradpour et al.,2019). Even with the prerequisite laboratory tests guaranteeing safety, the natives unanimously resisted the rice. Together with the local authorities, the government erm questioned the safety of the genetically modified plants due to a short testing period. The bio-engineered food products are used in their countries of origin rather than the developing countries that are specifically made for. Controversies also exist about whether golden rice, genetically modified plants in test, still causes food security. In its initial development, biotechnologists produced plants specific for temperate lands.
The production of golden rice, which could thrive in the hit tropical regions, was to take five years, which left the developing countries with an option to export the final rice for consumption. The high resistance to genetically modified organisms has hindered the adaptability to natural selection among African and Indian communities (Qaim, 2020). The resistance has increased hunger-related deaths in vulnerable regions. Humans shape their ecological surroundings through industrial, technological, and agricultural activities. Climatic change, the primary reason for droughts, is attributed to deforestation and over-exploitation of natural resources, including mining activities.
Due to the adverse human implications of the natural environment, the introduction of Golden rice has increased questions about their overall environmental effects. Food insecurity leads to societal imbalances among the human race. Genetically modified organism innovations among the middle and high social class citizens are perceived to be unsafe by people in developing actions. The lack of trust leads to a boycott of the usage of Golden rice among Asian and African nations. Due to the fast rate of global destratification salination, agricultural productivity has declined by 12% in the past three decades (Wu et al., 2021). with increased human encroachment, they are reversing environmental disasters seemingly impossible. Genetically modified organisms, such as soybeans, corn, and rice s are the best quick solution to global food security. However, releasing GMO products to small-scale farmers and consumers in developing nations requires a systematic procedure outlining the risks of over-reliance on modified products.
How Humans Alter Selective Pressures Using the Virtue Ethics Theory-Perspective
Developed by Aristotle, virtue ethics determine the desirable characteristics of human beliefs. The theory analyses the rights and wrongs associated with doing a particular act. Regarding food insecurity and introducing genetically modified plants to close the demand-supply gap, virtues such as integrity and trust are present. Monsanto, the golden rice developing company, introduced round-up ready rice crops in India. A controversy surrounding the research process in genetically modified plants was established, suspecting the biotechnological company of treachery (Qaim, 2020). Unlike utilitarianism, which addresses visible actions, virtue ethics theory uses intangible vices to give a detailed judgment about one’s behavior, a programmatic approach used in the virtue ethics framework. The approach, which studies the effects of products or actions on the majority, has been used in the food security case study to determine the effects of introducing genetically modified crops on developed nations.
Anti -GMO organizations, in this case, linked the introduction of cancer among the aged population consumers. Using the theory component, anti-GMO campaigns question the health implications of golden rice, stating the short research period used in its development. Bad vices in the virtue ethic theory lie within the robust framework. This framework outlines virtues such as cowardice and states the negative future implications of the virtue. When introducing golden rice, the first field study was conducted in India in 2002 (Wu et al., 2021). Therefore, the consumption was directed to the Indians, who are part of the low social class citizens. Since adverse health implications would first affect the Indians, the adoption of genetically modified was rejected. In the move to promote food security by introducing genetically modified plants, the ethical framework foresees any negative results associated with the introduction. It provides ways to counter them, hence promoting human dignity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, global climate change has rendered vast agricultural lands unproductive; genetically modified plants, such as golden rice, soybeans, and corn, should be used as a substitute food source. However, preliminary studies that discuss the negative implications of using genetically modified crops over conventional plants need to be clearly stated to the farmers, government, and end consumers. Openness, loyalty, and trust in disclosing information about GMOs promote virtue ethics, leading to human dignity and value regardless of social class. More scientific studies on the adverse health effects of genetically modified plants must be addressed before launching in developing countries.
References
Bin Rahman, A. R., & Zhang, J. (2023). Trends in rice research: 2030 and beyond. Food and Energy Security, 12(2), e390. Web.
Karimova, G. S., Hoffmann, N. C., Heidbrink, L., & Hoffmann, S. (2020). Virtue ethics between East and West in consumer research: Review, synthesis, and directions for future research. Journal of Business Ethics, 165, 255-275. Web.
Moradpour, R., Mondegari, K., & Nadimi, H. (2019). Ethics of Building (Perspective of Virtue Ethics and Kantian Ethics). Journal of Architectural Thought, 3(5), 1-16. Web.
Qaim, M. (2020). Role of new plant breeding technologies for food security and sustainable agricultural development. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 42(2), 129–150. Web.
Wu, F., Wesseler, J., Zilberman, D., Russell, R. M., Chen, C., & Dubock, A. C. (2021). Allow Golden Rice to save lives. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(51), e2120901118. Web.