Genetic engineering practice - Essay Example

 “Meat grown in test tubes should be explored as a viable option to conventional meats”A genetically modified organism (GMO) refers to an organism whose genetic composition has been distorted by the genetic engineering practice. In essence, the addition of a genetic material to an organism’s genome gives rise to GMO products such as meat grown in the lab. Both the proponents and opponents of the GMO products have fronted conflicting versions of arguments over the GMO (Tomme, 43). Institutions such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have sought to provide scientific explanations on how the genetically engineered products are safe.

On the other hand, the opponents such as the Organic Consumers Association have continually given the unsafe perspective of the GMO. This essay seeks to examine whether the meat grown in test tubes should be explored as a viable alternative to conventional meats.The production of GMO, results to emissions from greenhouses, which causes environmental pollution. This scenario has attracted attention from the environmental and pollution control stakeholders such as the Department for Energy and Climate Change who sought to propose green taxes on carbon based fossil fuels (Henk, 62).

This intends to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which add to global warming. However, nations such as the UK continued to oppose the Green taxes because they make the operations of the governmental corporations involved in greenhouse activities expensive. Green tax refers to the excise levy imposed on environmental pollutantsThe meat grown in test tubes should be explored as a viable alternative to conventional meats because; the proponents have cited numerous benefits, which include reduction of infectious diseases cause by the conventional meat that grows in animals.

According to Henk, the test tube meat is better for human consumption in comparison with the conventional meat. This is because; the producers gain much control over the composition of the meat (Henk, 97). For instance, production of fatty meat, the saturated fatty acids can be replaced with omega-3, which is a healthier option as it reduces inflammation and help in lowering the risk of heart disease. The saturated fatty acids in the conventional meat are associated with the cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Equally, some cultured meat is prepared with the present technology, which reduces the level of L-carnitine to zero percentage. This chemical is a contributing factor to heart diseases. The chemical is naturally contained in the red meat. Similarly, the meat grown in test tube (GMO) is preferred to conventional meat in terms of cleanness. According to Tomme, the GMO meat undergoes a clean process in its preparation consequently reduced infections. This argument justifies the belief that conventional meat undergoes dirt preparation process, which allows the growth of such bacteria as Salmonella and Listeria, which causes of food poisoning (Tomme, 67).

On the other hand, GMO meat should not be explored as a viable alternative to conventional meats because of the belief that, despite the vitro meat supposedly similar to the conventional meat, there is a probability that the test tube meat could be bodily detrimental (Tomme, 67). There is a high extent of questionability concerning the long-term consequences of the test tube meat consumption on human beings. There is fear and doubt amongst the public that the rush to consume new food substances may cause unforeseen effects, which might be difficult to prove for hesitation to test using humans as instruments.

Similarly, the technological infeasibility, which is associated with technical challenges in the production of the vitro meat, has remained technically unchallenged, consequently leaving room for doubts.In conclusion, the Vitro meat should be considered as an alternative for the conventional meat, because of the much control over the composition of the meat. This dictates the component mix of the expected vitro product. Such control ensures reduced components of fats and other chemical such as L-carnitine consequently a healthier option is made available.

The green taxes should be imposed to control emissions from the greenhouse gases. This kind of control provides a safe and clean environment due to reduced pollution.Work citedYoung, Tomme R. Genetically Modified Organisms and Biosafety: A Background Paper for Decision-Makers and Others to Assist in Consideration of Gmo Issues. Gland: IUCN, 2004. Print.Hoogenkamp, Henk W. Soy Protein and Formulated Meat Products. Cambridge, MA: CABI Pub, 2005. Internet resource.