GENG 101 Ethics and genetic engineering Profession Discussion

Genetically modified organisms (or GMOs) are any life form whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. There is great promise for the use of GMOs in our everyday lives (such as increased food production, the evolution of novel drug therapies, etc) but also many risks (such as unknown effects on organisms that consume GMO, influence of GMOs on the environment, etc). While some authoritative bodies have concluded that consumption of GMO products present no greater risk than natural products1, others, notably the European Union, have disputed those conclusions2. The purpose of this paper is to properly apply ethical theories to controversies associated with GMOs and food production.