A ray of hope
It was a hot, sunny summer
afternoon in August, 2039. The shimmering swimming pool looked marvellous with
all the glittering reflections of the sunrays on its surface. But just when Joe was about to jump in, he
suddenly heard his wife’s voice. “Why now?”, he asked himself and turned his
head. “Why are you still here? I told you to do the shopping hours ago!” Alma
came outside the house and approached her husband who was standing in their
large, well-tended garden. Anger was written all over her face. Joe knew that
he couldn’t longer avoid it. “Calm down”, he said, “I’m being as quick as I
can! Alma… You know exactly why I resist myself to do it.” “I do, but surviving
without food will be a bit difficult, won’t it?”, she replied irritated.
While Joe was driving, he switched the
car radio on to distract himself from the small quarrel with his wife. When he entered the city centre of Los
Angeles, a radio speaker was presenting the latest news. “Scientists involved
in the research on genetically modified food have reached the height of their
success. At this point in time, they were able to lift 400 million people all
over the world out of the poverty and deprivation. All this is possible thanks
to the outstanding development of GM food and all its benefits in the last few
years. And that is not all: further progress is being predicted!” Joe couldn’t believe it. The whole world
seemed to be in favour of this rapid development. Why did nobody understand
what it was leading to? When Joe entered the grocery store, he lost his temper
even more. The prices for food seemed to be arising day by day. For this
reason, he hated to do the shopping. It was not that Joe was completely against
the whole development of genetically modified food. On the contrary, he was
glad that thanks to it, food had a much longer shelf life and a superior
quality and taste. Also, this
“frankenfood” was specifically developed so far that it could combat dietary
deficiencies, like the 'golden rice' that
added the vitamin A lacking in ordinary rice, or that it could generally
greatly improve health. Joe didn’t deny that the future was most likely bright
for genetically modified food, but the fact that soon nobody could any longer
afford it, really made him angry and concerned him greatly. The situation seemed to be promising,
especially for those who could pass the poverty line but what’s the purpose of
such an evolution when soon everything will go downhill again? Joe was not the
only one who knew exactly who was really behind the whole thing. It was obvious
but still, no one dared to oppose to it, or should he say “them”?
While
he was lost in thought and purchasing food, his mobile phone rang. It was
Andrew, Joe’s colleague and best friend. “Joe, the time has finally come! A
surprising strike is planned against Tyson Foods Inc. ! For the first time, it
will be possible to put an end to that unfair business and all the injustices!
We won’t let them longer control and raise the prices of food products! You’re
joining the strike, aren’t you?” At first, Joe couldn’t believe it, but then he
agreed immediately. He was prepared to give everything in this fight for
justice. When he left the grocery store, he was sure that he would definitely not
see the unreasonably high price tags ever again.
[589 words]
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