POLS 1503 Written Assignment Unit 7
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Written Assignment Unit 7
Department of Art and Science, University of the People
POLS1503: Globalization
Dr. Ifeanyi Malu
October 25, 2023
2
Written Assignment Unit 7
The impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on the African continent is a
complex and contentious issue. While some argue that GMOs can offer agricultural and
economic benefits, others raise concerns about potential negative consequences. I firmly believe
that the widespread adoption of GMOs poses significant risks to our environment, traditional
agricultural practices, and food security, and as such, I am firmly against their continued
proliferation in our food systems on African continent.
Question 1
Here are some reasons why and how GMOs could be perceived as weakening the African
continent.
African countries may become dependent on multinational corporations for GMO seeds
and associated technologies, which can lead to increased costs and reduced self-
sufficiency in agriculture (Makanya, 2004).
Widespread adoption of GMOs might result in the displacement of traditional farming
practices, which are often more sustainable and adapted to local conditions (Makanya,
2004). This could lead to a loss of traditional knowledge and practices.
There are concerns about the environmental impact of GMOs. For instance, the
cultivation of herbicide-resistant crops can lead to increased herbicide use and the
development of herbicide-resistant weeds (Makanya, 2004). This can harm the
environment and make farming less sustainable.
The cultivation of GMO monocultures can reduce biodiversity, making agricultural
systems more vulnerable to pests and diseases (Makanya, 2004).
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The patenting of GMO seeds can limit access to essential genetic resources and lead to
legal battles over seed ownership, potentially harming smallholder farmers (Makanya,
2004).
Critics argue that GMOs may not necessarily improve food security in Africa (Makanya,
2004). They claim that focusing on traditional, diverse, and locally adapted crops might
be more effective in addressing local nutritional needs and challenges (Makanya, 2004).
Export restrictions on GMO crops could limit market access for African agricultural
products in countries or regions that have strict regulations or bans on GMOs (Makanya,
2004).
There are concerns about the safety of GMOs in terms of human consumption.
Skepticism about the long-term health effects of GMOs can impact consumer confidence
and public health (Makanya, 2004).
There is the potential for cross-contamination between GMO and non-GMO crops
(Makanya, 2004). This can affect the ability of farmers to maintain non-GMO status for
their crops, especially organic farmers (Makanya, 2004).
Developing and enforcing effective regulatory frameworks for GMOs can be challenging,
and some African countries may have limited capacity to monitor and regulate the
technology effectively (Makanya, 2004).
The introduction of GMOs can raise social and ethical concerns, such as issues related to
land ownership, access to resources, and equity in agricultural systems (Makanya, 2004).
Question 2
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have the potential to offer several positive
impacts in agriculture, including increased crop yields, resistance to pests and diseases, and
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improved nutritional content (Deressa et al., 2014). However, these positive impacts can turn into
negative ones under certain circumstances. Here are some scenarios in which the positive
impacts of GMOs could become negative.
Many GMO crops are engineered to resist specific pests and diseases (Oria, 2023). Over
time, pests and diseases can adapt and evolve to overcome these resistance mechanisms,
leading to a resurgence of the problems the GMOs were designed to combat (Makanya,
2004). This can result in increased pesticide use and decreased crop yields.
GMO crops engineered for herbicide resistance can lead to the overuse of specific
herbicides (Makanya, 2004). This can result in the development of herbicide-resistant
weeds, which can be challenging and costly to manage, leading to increased herbicide use
(Makanya, 2004).
Question 3
The impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can vary significantly depending
on a country's specific circumstances, needs, and regulatory frameworks. What might be
considered beneficial or detrimental in one context may not hold true for another. One African
country that has faced unique challenges in relation to GMOs is Niger (Gbadegesin et al., 2002).
Niger has a long history of traditional farming practices that are well-suited to the local climate
and conditions (Alhassane, n.d.). These practices often involve cultivating a variety of crops that
are adapted to the region (Alhassane, n.d.). The introduction of GMOs may disrupt these
practices and lead to the loss of traditional knowledge and crop diversity (Alhassane, n.d.).
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References
Alhassane, A. (n.d.).
Niger
. Global Yield Gap Atlas.
https://www.yieldgap.org/Niger
Deressa, T., Pugliese, J., Kimenyi, M.S. (2014).
Genetically Engineered Crops: Key to Climate
Adaptation and Food Security in Africa
.
Brookings Institute.
Retrieved from:
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/09/04/genetically-engineered-
crops-key-to-climate-adaptation-and-food-security-in-africa/
Gbadegesin, L. A., Ayeni, E. A., Tettey, C. K., Uyanga, V. A., Aluko, O. O., Ahiakpa, J. K.,
Okoye, C. O., Mbadianya, J. I., Adekoya, M. A., Aminu, R. O., Oyawole, F. P., &
Odufuwa, P. (2022). GMOs in Africa: Status, adoption, and public acceptance.
Food
Control
, 141.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109193
Makanya, Z. (2004, July 25).
Twelve reasons for Africa to reject GM crops
. Grain.
https://grain.org/article/entries/427-twelve-reasons-for-africa-to-reject-gm-crops
Oria, V. (2023, June 22).
Freedom comes from food security: East African farmers shouldn’t be
denied access to GMOs
. Alliance For Science.
https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2023/06/freedom-comes-from-food-security-east-
african-farmers-shouldnt-be-denied-access-to-gmos/