Monday, February 24, 2020

The Risks and Unknowns of Genetically Modified Foods Research Paper

The Risks and Unknowns of Genetically Modified Foods - Research Paper Example It is worth noting that increased interests, in the pursuit of genetically modified foods presents, yet, another example for such addictions. A genetically modified crop often refers to a crop whose genes have been altered in order to satisfy some specifics. In most case, these is done through selecting, isolating and copying ideal genes in ensuring that a particular crop would sustain harsh environments or certain diseases of which naturally it could not, and eventually produces a larger crop yield. Maghari & Ardekani (2011) indicate that genetically modified crop can be manipulated so that they can resist diseases and insects, as well as tolerate herbicides, which eventually, leads to production of high nutritional crop value. As of current, there are approximately 148 million agricultural lands that have been commercialized for purposes of cultivation of genetically modified crops. Canada, United States, china and Argentina have been cited as the leading regions where genetically modified crops are grown. Research has indicated that genetically modified foods are more popular amongst developing countries since through impressing this technology, these countries often strive to alleviate poverty and hunger. Consumers who are knowledgeable over the GM technology are often skeptical about its effects. It has been reported that GMOs, exhibit both harmful and unknown effects. For instance, it is cited that the environment is at a greater risk of losing biodiversity, and extinction (Skanche & Friedman, 2009). The risks emanating from genetically modified foods can either be environmental or health related. Environmental risks include the creations of super pests and super weeds. Generally, GMOs have been reputed for containing genes, which make them to be pest resistant. It is also noted that herbicide tolerant genes is a characteristics that make the GMOs to be resistant even after being sprayed by a weed killer. This is a characteristic that makes other weeds to be eradicated hence leaving the desired crop intact. Although proponents of GMOs boasts about the abilities of the crop to resist pests as well as reduced chemical application, such pest resistant genes often come with risks. The effect on biodiversity as mentioned above has been one of the issues of major concern when it comes to the GM food. According to Pandey et al (2010), GM foods have the capability of spreading their genes to other plants, and in the eventuality contaminate wild plants natural genetic makeup. Given that plants have a direct contact with one another, it becomes impractical to isolate a set of plants from the surrounding wildlife, and this applies to planted cropland. The impact of GM food on the environment is not only a concern that arises from the international growth of GM, but also its associated human health, which is a major factor in investigating the risks posed by GM foods. Maghari and Ardekani (2010) noted that some of the major issues concerning th e effects of GM foods on human health has remain unknown for many years. Safety testing methods of foods are poor and considering the fact that GM foods have been recently introduced, long term effects still remains unknown. The deepest concern could possibly lie on the GM food toxicity, and the potentiality to introduce new strains of allergy. Maghari and Ardekani (2010) have pointed out that, animals whose testing has been done have shown negative reactions ranging from premature births, abnormal births, infertility, abortions, illness and death. Critics have it that considering the signs observed in animals, it is most likely that humans are at an increased risk of experiencing similar results (Skanche & Friedman, 2009). Adding to toxicity, Pandey et al (2010

Friday, February 7, 2020

Integrating the Least Developed Countries into the World Trading Essay

Integrating the Least Developed Countries into the World Trading System - Essay Example The European Community has developed numerous economic and trading layers through which the bloc manages and deals with the economic and trade affairs with other countries of the world. The European Union consists of 27 members (Jacoby 2004; Kelley 2004; Vachudova 2005). This expansion enables EU as a unitary actor to exercise considerable geo-regulatory and geo-economic power (Damro 2006; Young and Peterson 2006). The other instruments employed by the EU to enhance its influence beyond Europe borders include conditionality (Lister and Carbone 2006) and development aid (Holland 2008). The members of EU have developed an integrated policy including agriculture policy, common competition policy, and common external tariff policy. The members have also observed the uniform application of four basic components of freedom such as capital, movement of persons, goods, and services. The entire bloc has allowed the citizens of member countries to enjoy free cross-border mobility without using or facing any visa restrictions. The members also use Euro as a single currency to exchange goods and services. South Africa in 1999 (Dur 2007; Frennhoff-Larsen 2007; Sanabuja 2000; Szymanski and Smith 2005).The first generation association agreements in the period of 1970s observed the establishment of customs unions with the states of Malta and Cyprus. The European Economic Area (EEA) represents a single market of the European Union. The major function of EEA is to work as a free trade area along with maintaining its own distinct and separate tariff level. Free Trade Areas (FTA) are the regulatory framework underway between various developing and developed countries of the world. The FTAs with other countries including Slovenia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Lithuania and other central and eastern states have been concluded. In addition to that, the Mediterranean Partnerships encompass economic and trade relationships between various countries from the Middle East and other parts of the world. The focus is to increase and strengthen the economic ties and relationships. In this regard, Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) preferences are also another mechanism put in place to develop and maintain economic and trade relations with a number of developing countries. The framework of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is increased when the inclusion of the recent ‘Everything But Arms’ initiative took place in which economic and trade framework was further analyzed and developed a workable framework with the developing countries with an aim of strengthen economic and trade relationships. However, there are various experts who do not agree with the notion that EU trade policy extends the share of benefits that it has given to the EU farmers. And they also contend that one way or other, the EU trade policy works at the cost of the developing countries.Â