Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my opinions on genetically modified animals. Undoubtedly, genetic engineering can boost the qualities and quantities of food, which is beneficial to humans. However, there are many hidden problems caused by GM food. Genetic engineering is really a disaster to all living things around the world. It is apparent that people should not eat GM animals.
First, nobody can be sure GM animals are totally safe to eat since testing is inadequate and unreliable. The US Food and Drug Administration allows the company which has created the genetically modified Atlantic salmon to keep some proprietary information private. This decision reflects that the FDA lacks transparency and it ignores the rights of the public. Therefore, hardly can we tell whether eating GM animals is safe. GM animals may cause allergies in humans because they have not been eaten before. The salmon, which grows twice as fast as the natural fish, is called “Frankenfish”. Critics say it could include dangerous allergens that might threaten the health of the public. As there is not enough evidence to show that GM animals are harmless, I think we should not eat them.
Eating GM animals will intensify the ethical problems caused by genetic engineering. Although the potential benefits and profits of the GM animals seem to be huge, many people have qualms about manipulating the genetic code of other living creatures. Supporting eating GM animals will encourage the businessmen to change the DNA of the animals at will to satisfy the market demand. Human beings appear to be superior to other living things, still, we have no rights to meddle and interfere in the growth of animals and all of us should respect life. “Frankenfish” are not better than natural fish, are they? Eating GM animals shows that we are unethical and dishonourable because our choices will prompt many merchants to create more and more queer monsters arbitrarily. We will therefore indirectly deprive a lot of animals of their original features. In no way should people eat GM animals.
Undoubtedly, eating GM animals will destroy the environment and disturb the ecological equilibrium. The GM salmon’s effect on the environment can be utterly disastrous. The fish may escape and intermingle with the wild salmon population, which is already endangered. They would grow fast and consume more food to the detriment of the conventional wild salmon. In the world, each type of species is interlinked. Genetically modified animals can be eaten by other natural living creatures and organisms. The food chain will then be disturbed. There will be a subsequent impact on the diversity of animal species in the world. Stopping eating GM animals is the only way to stop damaging our beautiful environment.
To conclude, the cons of eating GM animals outweigh the pros of eating GM animals. It is unreasonable of people to take risks in trying the GM animals, especially when there are so many uncertainties and doubts about these animals. GM animals should be banned in order to protect the natural environment and ecosystem as well as the rights of the non-GM animals. Therefore, people should not eat genetically modified animals at all.
Yours faithfully,
Carmen Cheng