By: Veronique Etienne
A large global issue is simply feeding people. Although we have GMO’s, humans still consistently fall short of ending world hunger. Some will say that this is due to greed- the world has a surplus of food, that is unevenly distributed- but others will say that it is lack of infrastructure to provide everyone with food. By utilizing synthetic biology, we can make crops that are better adapted to harsh conditions. This would mean that either mode of production-subsistence or commercial- can be a more viable option for developing nations.
Even in the U.S we have issues with monoculture. This has had lots of negative, unforeseen impacts in nature. If the crops experience adverse conditions including disease, they all have the same phenotypic response, which can wipe out whole crops, costing millions/billions. The creative process of having tailor made food may (or may not) have some profound impacts on biodiversity. In making more customizable plants, people can get more nourishment from their food and may, in fact, lend a hand in reversing desertification, which is a huge problem in certain areas of the world.
Additionally, we can make crops that do not need as many pesticides,- by using sterile insects that prey on pests- which can also help the environment. Synthetic biology can also be used to make more organisms that more efficiently produce medicinal compounds and can be used to better understand other genomes, to better combat disease.
Even in the U.S we have issues with monoculture. This has had lots of negative, unforeseen impacts in nature. If the crops experience adverse conditions including disease, they all have the same phenotypic response, which can wipe out whole crops, costing millions/billions. The creative process of having tailor made food may (or may not) have some profound impacts on biodiversity. In making more customizable plants, people can get more nourishment from their food and may, in fact, lend a hand in reversing desertification, which is a huge problem in certain areas of the world.
Additionally, we can make crops that do not need as many pesticides,- by using sterile insects that prey on pests- which can also help the environment. Synthetic biology can also be used to make more organisms that more efficiently produce medicinal compounds and can be used to better understand other genomes, to better combat disease.
All of this is great, we can use novel techniques in agriculture to help with several human plights; however, we cannot be SURE how synthetic biology will impact biodiversity. We also have to consider how much this will impact the growth rate of humans (and others) and if the increase in biodiversity will really be artificial due to fact that these organisms will mostly be made in a consumerist construct. How will capitalism factor into the use of synthetic biology in agriculture? Will it lead us to over-use lands and further decimate our resources? Will we just be delaying our (inevitable) collapse?
A video on ending world hunger (TED talk)
A video on ending world hunger (TED talk)
I fear that no amount of scientific innovation will end world hunger. Corrupt government officials will continue enriching themselves at the expense of their people.
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