The ethical and legal concerns of the use of genetically modified (GM) foods in South Africa

Abstract

Worldwide genetically modified (GM) foods provide one of the major challenges facing the food industry in the twenty-first century. The safety of GM foods are being questioned by consumers, researchers and medical professionals as it is believed that these foods may pose a serious public health risk, especially for the young, aged, pregnant and immuno-compromised persons (Azadi and Ho, 2010). At present the safety of GM foods remains questionable mainly because of insufficient long term scientific data, and the vulnerability of the developing and developed countries to satisfy the food demands of their growing populations. There are already some 800 million people who do not have access to sufficient food to meet their needs. Malnutrition plays a significant role in half the nearly 12 million deaths each year in developing countries, of children under the age of five (Asante, 2008). Therefore, the need for increasing agricultural yields is of urgent concern in the entire developing world. A multitude of reasons are put forward to validate GM food production. The use of GM microbes does not necessarily raise alarms but there are considerable ethical concerns; concerns about “messing with nature”; concerns about safety for human health, and concerns about environmental impact (Racovita, 2013). However, the technology offers opportunities to accelerate the efficiency and extent of further agricultural improvements by the transfer of genes conferring resistance to pests, disease, herbicides and environmental stress, as well as quality traits such as improved post-harvest storage, flavour, enhanced nutritional content and colour (Coles and Ladikas, 2013). The aim of the research project is to raise the ethical, legal and social issues about the use of GM foods in South Africa. The research will also highlight the ongoing debate in the areas of environmental protection, public perceptions and acceptance and ethical concerns.