Genetically modified foods and principle beneficence

One of the latest advances in biotechnology is genetically modified (GM) foods. The production of GM foods is a controversial issue worldwide. The most important and controversial issue in the production of GM foods is ethics. Some people believe that their production is morally right, while others consider the production of these foods to be unjustified and immoral. According to the principle of beneficence, proving the ethics of producing GM foods is only possible by carefully evaluating its advantages and disadvantages and the superiority of the benefits. Opponents believe that the production of this type of food has irreparable disadvantages, some of which are known and some are still unknown. Damage to human health and the environment and the creation of economic, social and political problems are among the most important reasons for opposition. On the other hand, proponents of the production of GM foods enumerate significant advantages. Solving the problem of global hunger, improving the quality of food, and improving the economic situation of farmers are among the most important reasons for the proponents of the morality of the production of GM foods. In the present study, the reasons of the proponents of GM food production are examined and criticized through descriptive and analytical methods. Studies show that although the production of GM foods is associated with significant benefits, there are drawbacks to the opponents’ reasons, and the production of GM foods requires more research and experiments.

Keywords:

Genetically modified (GF) foods , beneficence principle , Global hunger , Golden rice