Introduction
Despite significant improvements in farming technology over the past several centuries, hunger is still one of society’s most significant issues. More specifically, world hunger, which affects close to 10% of people across the globe, is on the increase after consistently dropping for a decade (Gbashi et al., 2021). Hunger is more complicated than having an empty stomach. It is a complex problem with various underlying causes and extensive repercussions. The first step in ending the global hunger crisis in a world of plenty is understanding its causes and solutions. One of the suggested solutions is using genetically modified (GM) crops, but is this an effective tool in the fight against hunger? As such, this paper argues that while GM crops alone cannot solve world hunger, they can be an effective strategy to end malnutrition in developing nations.
Genetically Modified Crops’ Positive Effects on the World Hunger Crisis
Genetically modified (GM) food are those whose DNA sequences have been altered to include a desired characteristic. Genetic engineering can enhance the amount of the target crop produced by enhancing the production of crops (National Geographic Society, 2020). Plants can be genetically altered to be more nutritious, providing communities that lack particular nutrients with essential vitamins. (Kavhiza et al., 2022, p. 439) Because genetically engineered crops can be modified to have enhanced crop output and perhaps even resist unfavourable environmental circumstances, they are a viable answer to the world food shortage predicament. According to economic theory, prices of items decrease if their supply grows, which is precisely what genetically engineered crops accomplish (Gbashi et al., 2021, p. 30). The rise in production has resulted in a favourable impact on making foods less expensive for consumers. Beyond increasing supply, crops also lower farmers’ fuel and pesticide costs, reducing the percentage of these expenses that farmers pass on to customers. Furthermore, crops can also be genetically altered to have extra vitamins and minerals. “Golden rice,” a type of rice genetically altered to have more vitamin A than conventional rice, is one example of this (Gbashi et al., 2021,p. 30). This is significant because millions of people in Africa do not consume sufficient vitamin A, which can cause throat and chest infections and impaired development among children.
Limitations to Combating the Global Food Shortage Problem with Genetically Modified Crops
However, many of the world’s population without food lives in the developing world, where severe poverty, a lack of access to nourishing food, and a lack of GM crop use are all critical contributors to malnutrition. Farmers in developing nations might be reluctant to accept GM crops since views toward GM crops are sometimes inversely related to education and access to biotechnology information (National Geographic Society, 2020). Furthermore, a few powerful corporations that possess the intellectual property for genetic variations are the leading producers of GM seeds (Tyczewska et al., 2023). Thus, if that business failed, those dependent on that crop would no longer have access to it. Additionally, since data indicate that political unrest is the primary cause of hunger, using genetically engineered crops to combat the global food shortage crisis faces another challenge because it is unsure whether these farmers would be able to make a profit selling their goods or use their income on nourishing food sources within a nation racked by conflict.
Conclusion
Although GM crops may be better able to weather some natural calamities, including drought, they are not the complete solution to the world’s hunger problem. Enough grains and other foods are produced worldwide to feed everyone at least 4.3 pounds daily. Hunger is caused mainly by poverty and political upheaval around the world. Therefore, finding political solutions to the hunger problem is necessary, not only for agro-technical measures. A multifaceted strategy involving political action, agricultural and technological advancements, and educational efforts would play an integral role in combatting world hunger.
References
Gbashi, S., Adebo, O., Adebiyi, J. A., Targuma, S., Tebele, S., Areo, O. M., … & Njobeh, P. (2021). Food safety, food security and genetically modified organisms in Africa: a current perspective. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews, 37(1), 30-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/02648725.2021.1940735
Kavhiza, N.J., Zargar, M., Prikhodko, S.I., Pakina, E.N., Murtazova, K.M.S. and Nakhaev, M.R., 2022. Improving crop productivity and ensuring food security through adopting genetically modified crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Agronomy, 12(2), p.439-460. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020439
National Geographic Society, (2020). Are Genetically Modified Crops the Answer to World Hunger? [Online] Available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/are-genetically-modified-crops-answer-world-hunger/ [Accessed 29 May 2023].
Tyczewska, A., Twardowski, T. and Woźniak-Gientka, E., 2023. Agricultural biotechnology for sustainable food security. Trends in Biotechnology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.013
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