The Controversy of Genetically Modified Foods
I. What makes foods genetically modified?
A. What is the process that foods undergo to become modified? (Genetically Modified Foods, 1995)
What are the differences between GM and other forms of breeding? (Genetically Modified Foods, 1995) ( Ruth, 2003)
C. Thesis: In order to reach the truth about GMOs, much more testing and research will have to be done. While no amount of scientific research will please those with moral issues surrounding GMOs, there is a solution to the issue. The solution, however, is still being developed and carries with it a great deal of controversy itself: labeling of GMOs.
II. Positive Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods
A. The first positive aspect is…Will there be an effect on taste and quality?
1. Everyone wants better tasting foods and year round. GMO’s can work to achieve this goal. PATHOS
B. In addition/ The second positive…..Can the nutrients be increased?
1. Just as milk is required to contain vitamin D so that the calcium can be absorbed, GM foods can be required to have vitamins to support healthy lifestyles. ETHOS
C. Will crop yields be increased?
1. With growing populations and pushing the carrying capacity of our planet, more food will better help us to combat our overpopulation and overuse of resources. ETHOS
2. In countries where hunger is currently an issue, there may be hope for better crop yields and thus, more third world countries could grow their own food and not rely on extensive support from other countries. PATHOS
3. It is estimated that biotechnologies, if introduced into Africa would increase crop yields by 10 to 15 percent (Piore, 2003). LOGOS
D. An Alternative to Pesticide Usage
1. Pesticides are not popular and do have an impact of the environment. GMO’s offer the chance for foods to have a higher tolerance to pests genetically rather than dousing them in pesticides throughout the year. LOGO
E. New Products can be created
1. Whether created by artificial selection, hybridization or the recombination of DNA, new foods could be created.
III. (On the other hand/However, there are also…) Negative Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods
A. Cross Pollination of GM crops and non-GM crops
1. Pollen can be carried by a number of methods such as bees, wind and other animals that travel great distances. The introduction of GM crops could potentially contaminate regular crops from great distances (Herbert, 2002).
B. Is there potential to lose some biodiversity?
C. Ethical Concerns
1.Tampering with nature by mixing genes among species. ETHOS
D. Unknown Health Effects
1. Because genes from completely different organisms have the potential to be combined, allergens hidden in GM foods could go undetected by the consumer and have drastic allergy problems (Herbert, 2002). LOGOS/PATHOS
E. Gene Transfer
1. The possibility of gene transfer could be a problem; antibiotic resistance for example could be transferred to unwanted organisms like weeds (Kupier, 2001). LOGOS
IV. (To solve this…)The Solution: Labeling
A. Labeling
1. The expense for testing is high, in Germany a single test of the GM content is about $150, the question then lies: do the costs outweigh the benefits (Betts, 2000). LOGOS
2. The process of identifying GM genes in organisms is difficult and is not yet perfected; much more testing would need to be completed for reliable results (Lappe & Bailey, 1998). ETHOS
B. Education of Public
1. Allow public to choose what they eat! ETHOS/PATHOS
2. Establish guidelines like that of organic foods, several labeling systems
of certain ingredients are already mandatory. LOGOS
V. Conclusion
A. Restate: In order to reach the truth about GMOs, much more testing and research will have to be done. A solution, however, is still being developed and carries with it a great deal of controversy itself: labeling of GMOs.