After the completion of three MSc modules, I have three more modules to go before the start of thesis. From late June to November 2013, most of my course mates will be occupied with two new ANU online courses: SCOM8021 Ethics, Issues and Consequences in Science, as well as SCOM8027 Science and Public Policy. I have not taken any online modules before, so this will be quite a challenge and whole new experience. Most of the module content are given through weekly readings and written assignments. I have done quite a number of written assignments and I will be blogging about them as I go along.
For Science and Public Policy, every fortnight, we will have to look up on literature on a certain hotly debate issue and write an opinion paper to an organisation. For the first fortnight, the spotlight is on genetically modified organisms (GMO). To me, GMO is not a foreign topic, I have encountered the issues surrounding it back in Junior College for General Paper (GP). I know there is always both sides to an issue, those who support and others who oppose and most of the times both sides have their own valid reasons.
For my assignment, I started to dig around and read up on both sides of the issues. And I realised a few interesting points –
In the face of increasing world’s population, climate change and limitations to how crops are grown, is there a way to feed everyone sustainably and safely? As I progressed with my research, there is so much literature online about the pros and cons of GM food.
Pro-GM groups think of GM technology as the next green revolution whereby genetics can help to increase food supply and improve nutritional content of food, for example, the Golden Rice project. In addition, many experts in the food security fields do support GM food and here is one in NY Times, 2009 “Can Biotech Food Cure World Hunger?”
For the non-GM groups, they focus on the health, environment and economic risks that GMOs can bring about. Groups have raised points such as allergens, harm to other organisms in the ecosystems when they eat GM food and gene transfer to wild populations, which can form superweeds. Critics would often give statements such as this in Huffpost Green, 2012 “GMO Debate Heats Up: Critics Say Biotech Industry Manipulating Genes, And Science“.
When moving a little closer to home, I also found that there is a Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) that advises on GMOs issues. Its roles include –
- advise on handling and regulation of GMOs products
- evaluate GMOs’ impact on health and the environment
- inform the public about GMOs and increase public awareness
Singapore imports a large amount of food and it is inevitable that many of them will be GM food sources. I was actually unaware of this and there does not seem to be too much emphasis placed on public awareness of GM food locally. There really should be more efforts to do so; more often than not, the fear and distrust of technology comes from lack of communication between scientists and the public, resulting in the public not fully understanding the risks and full benefits of such a foreign technology.
Lastly, I want to urge you to take some time to read in-depth into the issues and see what your stand/take is? My fellow course mate, Waverly, has also given a good overview of the debate on GMOs and her opinion on the GM Face-off. Each of us has to evaluate the resources and see where your stand lies, at the extreme ends or in the grey zones.
wilderness in the city 