e-portfolio 5

I decide to write my e-portfolio 5 based on Arisga's group roundtable discussion.

This group did the topic of genetically modified food(GM food). It usually refers to foods like crop plants and fruits which are modified by using latest genetic technology. They are different from their congener ones in terms of taste, figure, nutrition contained and other characteristics. One of the main rationales behind GM food is to increase production. Besides, the modifications make plants less vulnerable to tough environment such as drought. Common opinion is that problem of starvation in certain third world countries can then be mitigated by this technology.

Evi then mentioned that GM food is not proved to be safe to humans. Therefore, it is not a proper way of feeding people from third world countries with GM food.

However, another group member, Payoga( if I am not wrong) believed that safety of GM food is not the main problem for those hungry people. They will die due to lack of food. In contrast, GM food can make them survive. It is worthy to take the risk since life is more precious. On the other hand, people form developing countries like America and European nations need to concern about this safety problem since they are the majority in potential GM food consuming group. They most probably can afford and want to buy the GM food.

Another argument against GM food which was risen by Yam( perhaps) is that the genetically modification done on the food may in the long turn may cause certain harmful or unexpected mutation. Furthermore, plants like superweed which has specific resistance to insects are likely to result in environment unbalance. Food chain may be damaged due to the decrease number of these insects.

Moreover, points such as incomplete regulation of GM food labeling and potential rivalry between the new coming GM plants and traditional agricultural crops were also mentioned during the discussion.

At last, they believed that GM food indeed is worth waiting even though at this moment there are several problems present.