Student Name:

The Big Question:

Considering both points of view, does one sides argument outweigh the others?

Debate Preparation: You will participate in a collaborative

discussion, or debate. On Tuesday, March 1, each student must come to the
discussion prepared with written responses to each of the four questions
below.

Use your Benefits & Concerns research

notes (Google doc) & SQWORL resources http://sqworl.com/vbe0ea to
help guide you.

Include CITATIONS (quoted text from

articles, websites, etc.) as evidence of your claims.

Use the argumentative sentence stems &

transitions (last page) to create strong claims.

Be prepared to argue both sides (Pro or

Con) of Genetically Modified Foods.
Color-Coding: Use the following color-codes for the argument writing
essentials:
Claims (a statement that can be argued and proven with
evidence)
Citations (quoted evidence from another source)
Statistics (facts with numbers based on data collection)
Commenting: Identify in your own writing when you appeal to each
persuasive technique. Instead of color-coding, use the COMMENT button.
Ethos (Credibility, Reputation, Citing from a university
study, etc.)
Logos (Using Logic, Facts, Statistics, Reason, etc.)

etc.)

Pathos (Appealing to Emotions, Imagination, Feelings, Fear,

Answer each question in a detailed paragraph(s) using the directions on page 1:

1.
Considering both points of view (Benefits & Concerns of GMOs), how
does each sides argument outweigh the others? The Beneficial argument has a more pathos
and a more moral side, because it uses the argument of; X many people die each year due to
malnutrition or starvation. It gives a great feeling of loss in the world and many want to
change it. One of the biggest advantages is its usefulness and flexibility. The great possibility
of changing the genes of plants or animals and make them much better. For example there is a
possible idea of taking the DNA in fish that lives in the arctic and giving it to strawberries to
give it a better resilience to cold. Allowing for more people to prosper even in difficult
environments. African families in more urban environments are more susceptible to disease
and famine from raw food and water.
The concerns of GMOs can be for good reason as well, as we have only experimented with
transgenic manipulation for only a couple decades. One day we might find that GMO corn can
cause cancer, or we might not. Because of GMO production, groups such as Greenpeace have had
rapid advancements within the few decades, originally starting with protesting the testing of
Hydrogen bombs in Alaska due to its effects on the environment. Hence the name, Green; meaning
the environment, and Peace; for the bombs themselves. Later this organisation protested against
whaling from Japan and the USSR. later they heavily focused on the GMO production. This led to
violent protests and Arson. Is this for a good cause? That question is still under debate. This
group uses logos and ethos in their persuasion to the public. The harm that could possibly fall on
the human race can be huge. Harming nature can cause huge consequences. Breaking the
ecosystems natural, system, can be huge. GMOs can also be unethical, removing the genes that
were originally there can be harmful to the animals health and senses. It would be like removing
your cats claws so id doesn't scratch you, it would be horrible for the cat. Sure it could benefit
you but would it really be worth it? Already factory farming is unhealthy for us and even worse
for the animals. With the advancement of GMOs factory farming can be intensified. There are
many benefits for local farms and even global farms. Julie Fidler from Natural Society, states,
As the world begins to wake up to and worry about the impact GMOs could have on humans and the
environment, non-GMO foods especially soybeans are in high demand. Thus, they make farmers
far more money. The demand for non-GMO crops is largely driven by foreign nations like Japan and
South Korea, which are constantly in the market for conventional (non-GM) soybeans. This is proving
that people dont want man-made products, as many commercials try to push the Natural product that
sounds way more appealing for consumers. Why have orange juice that says artificially flavored on it,
while one says natural or organic? Its basic common sense. One of the vast reasons that people are
accepting GMOs is because they have found that they are everywhere? Was there ever a public vote
for GMOs to be widely produced in America? No. It has swiftly taken over the shelves in stores, at first
with no label on them. If you live in America you have at some point eaten a GMO that you didnt know
was GMO, and many people find that a problem.

2.
If you were the President of the United States with a struggling
economy, high obesity, and overpopulation, would you encourage more GMO production or
restrict it?
I wouldnt want to increase GMO production, because it might cost to much money to
widely produce. Also it could easily fail. I would try to request aid from allied countries.
Id most likely do a meeting with the highest officials in the country, and probably the
senators. I wouldn't let this be a country wide vote, due to the electoral college and the
lines being driven. I would also do this so no propaganda would change the mind of
citizens.

3.
Considering GMO foods you have researched, which do you believe is
most beneficial (helpful) to a civilization and why? I believe that genetically modified papaya
is the most beneficial because it allowed papaya to be farmed. The Papaya Ringspot Virus
almost annihilated the papaya population of Hawaii, and nearly crashed the 45 million dollar
business. Scientists were able to take the ringspot virus and extract a vaccine into the papaya
which allowed the papaya to safely be grown throughout Hawaii. Now all papaya grown in hawaii
is at least 75% GMO! luckily it did happen, and it allows the US to enjoy papaya safely, and
without a large price tag on the fruit.

4.
Which GMO foods do you believe is most detrimental (harmful) to a
civilization and why?
I think genetically modified corn is the most harmful to us because it is in almost
everything. The European Union has officially banned all GMO products. They have been
fine with little health effects. The United States has had a large problem with obesity,
and many health issues. Can we blame corn for this? Possibly.