What do ethical principles say about the rejection of GM food aid?
Autonomy: • National level: • Sovereign countries must be able to make their own decisions. • Consent must be obtained from sovereign nations before carrying out an action. • Sovereign nations must have access to sufficient information on GM foods in order to assess their risks and benefits. • Developing nations should not be coerced into changing their policies on GM foods during times of need when there is also sufficient GM-free food available. • Individual level: • The population must also be able to make decisions. • Lack of food leads to malnutrition and a reduction in the ability of people to make choices. • The “right to adequate food” is essential to their autonomy. • There is a responsibility for the international community to provide “adequate food” for the population (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Justice: • National level: • If we want other sovereign countries to recognize our autonomy, then we need to recognize theirs too (social contract between nations). • Th
