Written Assignment Unit 7 POLS 1503
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
University of the People *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1503
Subject
Political Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by CaptainCloverAlpaca22
Written Assignment Unit 7
University of the People
Globalization - POLS 1503
August 3, 2022
After having read the article about GMO crops in the African continent, I think I would support its use there. 1.
List the reasons why and how GMO would benefit the African continent.
The following are some ways that GMOs might benefit Africa:
Aid in alleviating hunger and food insecurity
GMOs could be useful in addressing the issues of poverty and hunger since as Africa's population continues to expand, so does the demand for basic necessities.
However, prices for these commodities also go up as food becomes more and more difficult to find and harvest. This is where GMOs comes into the picture, and it can be done by stepping up agricultural production. The fact that GMOs are genetically designed to increase crop yields, decrease food production costs, decrease the need for pesticides, improve nutrient content and food quality, fend off pests and disease, and increase food security are just a few of the many advantages associated with this. With the aid of technical innovation, GMOs can tolerate environmental stresses, creating the ideal setting for crops to grow in situations where they otherwise may have struggled to thrive (Whelan, 2016).
Favors farmers by generating job prospects and income.
Between 1996 and 2015, 183 million hectares of farmland were spared from plowing and cultivation, benefiting 16–17 million smallholder farmers and their families financially in addition to lowering poverty and hunger (Alliance for Science, 2021). Without a doubt, GMO crops have a big chance of helping with climate change adaption. Africa's farming system is actually dependent on rain, and if the climate worsens, farmers will either lose their jobs or earn virtually nothing because of low crop yields, which will make it difficult for them to reach their quota (Deressa et al., 2014). Africa needs to be ready to rely on these technologies in the worst-
case scenario in order to prosper and give local farmers more funding and employment prospects.
Increased assistance from certain developed nations.
One may argue that investing in this type of technology is costly. However, several industrialized
nations and Non-Governmental Organizations support the construction of these sorts of projects. Leaders of the World Economic Forum may also plan strategies and lend help to African countries who need it. Even though the EU is Africa's largest export market for agricultural products, trading with developing nations is expanding quickly.
Thus, to create GMO trade rules, African countries should collaborate with those of Brazil, India,
and China. Donors may be able to assist African countries in funding genetically modified agricultural research. The money needed to implement them might increase agricultural output overall. A number of technologies exist to increase agricultural production in Africa (Whelan, 2016).
2.
Explain how the possible negative impacts of GMO, could be turned into a positive (if any).
The majority of locals still choose more organic farming methods, but educated residents prefer GMOs because they think they would be more productive and profitable. The positive impacts of
GMOs outweigh the unfavorable ones. Due to the strict restriction of genetically modified crops on the continent, this has prompted a flurry of discussions in a number of African nations.
Farmers and consumers need to be informed about GMOs since they can only be sure of a GMO's utility if they are aware of its potential benefits, which is one of the reasons why the potential negative effects of GMOs might be transformed into a positive. Additionally, this may be the most effective approach to change communities and contribute to the battle against unemployment, poverty, and hunger.
Additional benefits include higher agricultural yields, lower costs for food or medication manufacturing, a decreased need for pesticides, greater nutrient content and food quality, pest and disease resistance, enhanced food security, and medical assistance for the world's expanding population (Phillips, 2008).
3.
Describe one country in Africa that you think would most benefit from harvesting GMO products.
Nigeria is the African nation with the largest population, and I believe it would profit the most from the harvest of GMO crops. The nation, which is arranged along Africa's western coast, is frequently referred to be the biggest on the continent. Furthermore, a nation with such a sizable population couldn't rely just on climate change to thrive. As a result, establishing harvest without
the use of biotechnologies is quite challenging. Sadly, those who bravely entered the field of agriculture now have to deal with pests like mice and bugs as well as harvests that are not climate-adaptable. As a result, famine is becoming a common occurrence throughout the nation.
Onyeji (2018) contends that despite widespread criticism, GMO foods and goods are quite safe.
As an illustration, parts of northern Nigeria are like a desert since they receive rain for just three months out of the year. So, in order to grow maize in Maiduguri, which is located in the North, a farmer will choose the gene from sorghum that makes it resistant to drought and then inject it into the maize. The novel gene will then be identified in maize and finally express itself.
Additionally, GMOs in Nigeria enhance the agricultural system. Farmers are now provided with GMO seeds as well.
According to Cerier (2017), GMO technology has enormous advantages and possibilities for Africa, where it is necessary to enhance food production in order to feed a growing population.
But without a significant increase in food production, Africa will be forced to rely on imported food for a lengthy period of time in order to feed its population.
References:
Alliance for Science. (2021, August 12). 10 things everyone should know about GMOs in Africa.
https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/10-things-everyone-should-know-about-gmos-in-africa/
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
Onyeji, E. (2018). Why Nigeria is adopting GMOs. Retrieved from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/health-features/269052-interview-why-nigeria-is-
adopting-gmos-official.html
Phillips, T. (2008). Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and recombinant
DNA technology. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-
modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732/
Whelan, K. (2016). How GMO’s could potentially end poverty and hunger in Africa. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/gmos-potentially-end-poverty-hunger-africa/
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help