GMO Social Impact Analysis Paper

Genetically modified crops are seen as the solution to problem of world hunger. However, genetically modified seeds are mostly grown in areas with a history of successful farming. The end result is that the abundance of genetically modified seed is displacing traditional, small, rural farmers, as multinational for-profit corporations (mostly based in the US), who control the production, development, and distribution of these crops, saturate the market with drought and pest resistant seed. In the process, corporations, and governments ignore the social and economic impact that the wide and cheap availability of genetically modified crops might have on the local population.

For this assignment, consider the ways in which small, rural, farmers in Mexico and India might be affected by the introduction of genetically modified crops. Oftentimes, the introduction of such technologies require small rural farmers to adapt or change their lifestyles, that is, the way they work, where they work, and how they live. Is there anything morally problematic or questionable about this? If there is, what is it? If there is not, please explain.

In your write up, be sure to (a) describe the relevant factual details of the situation you will be discussing, (b) take a position on the morality of introducing GMOs (genetically modified organisms, e.g., seeds) into that environment, (c) defend your position appealing to the ethical benchmarks discussed in class, and (d) describe the similarities and differences in impact you notice in the introduction of GMOs Mexico and India.