Ethics of Posthuman Aesthetics:
Genetic Engineering - is there a U-turn?
Lim Sok Hui, Julia

Numerous heated debates have been sparked over genetically modified crops (GMC) ever since their inception. These are crops that are engineered for disease and pest resistance by gene-splicing and they pass the genetic changes on to their offspring through inheritance and heredity. Considered a boon to the planet by some and a bane by others, they are still being grown and cultivated despite protests by many fractions such as Greenpeace and its allies, who contend that these crops pose ecological health risks and therefore propose bans on them till the risks involved could be assessed. Some extremists and activists have even taken to uprooting the crops and there are supermarkets that boycott such genetically modified food (GMF). As GMF are usually swimming anonymously in the market, there have been demands for labeling. Do you know that the tasty Pringles' potato chips are actually GMF?

The importance of labeling GMF is a matter of life and death. This is because some people may have allergic reactions to GMF. There is a case where a gene from Brazil nuts is transferred to soyabeans to improve their nutritional quality. However, it has been found that people allergic to the Brazil nuts were also allergic to the modified soyabeans. Fortunately, this was discovered before the soyabeans were launched in the market and thankfully, there were no casualties. Thus, to protect the lives of consumers, it is vital to label these GMF.

....

Download the full essay in PDF <<

< Back