GM crops: a blessing or a curse?

            Nowadays, the controversial issue of genetically modified crops concerns people in all over the world. Geneticists have found ways to churn out new crops by modifying the plant genome. This type of crops are genetically modified, forming the so-called GM or transgenic crops. For instance, the most common GM crops are soya, Maize, Rapeseed  to name but a few. GM crops are designed for a more beneficial resistance to viruses and pests, higher productivity and longer life. However, the safety potential risks and ethical concerns are still being hotly debated. Therefore, the question that arises is: Are transgenic crops a blessing or a curse? There are two sides to consider.

    First and foremost, organizations which have been promoting the genetically altered food have often claimed that this is an exceptionally effective way to deal with world hunger and malnutrition. GM crops are able to produce immensely higher crop yields, which could help by feeding more people. What's more, the modification of the seeds is aimed to protect the plant from a most powerful herbicide that is used to keep fields free of all unwanted plant life. And last but not least, agriculture is a considerably significant section of economy of a country. Consequently, were the cultivation of GM food more developed, the country would be able to give many opportunities for people to work in the sector of food production. Therefore, not only will the agriculture take off, but also the country will turn into an considerable power.

       However, every coin has two sides, so there are some parties that doubt whether transgenic crops solve global issues, such as world hunger or rather cause further ones. The Achilles' heel of GM crops is that they unfavorably affect our health. Some studies have linked consumptions of GM food to allergies to kidney and liver damage. Furthermore, not only do many companies exploit under-developed countries, but they also sell the crops more expensively to them. A case in a point is Argentina, a country in which the government was persuaded to approve the use of transgenic soya. Nevertheless, the vast majority of soya crop is exported and the problem of hunger is not alleviated.

     On balance, as far as I am concerned, the advantages of GM crops are outweighed by the drawbacks. In addition, I would like to highlight that it is crucial scientists find out defensive mechanisms against starvation and famine without generating new more adverse problems.