Ethical and Legal Perspectives of GMO's in Combating Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change presents an urgent global challenge, significantly affecting food security and agricultural systems. In this context, genetically modified (GMOs) food, created through biotechnology methods to enhance crop resilience, have emerged as a potential solution. Proponents argue that GMOs crops can address the impacts of climate change by improving yield, boosting resistance to extreme weather conditions and reducing the need for chemical inputs that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the use of GMOs raises ethical and legal concerns, particularly regarding health risks, environment impacts and corporate dominance of the global food system. This paper explores these ethical and legal perspectives, with a specific focus within Kenya. By assessing the benefits and risks of GM foods, this paper advocates for a balanced approach that integrates ethical principles and legal safeguards to ensure sustainable and equitable agricultural solutions to the rising temperatures, erratic weather and ecosystem that threaten food security, biodiversity and livelihoods.