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Ashley Williams
UWRT 1102
Ms. Leah Huizar
October 22, 2016
GMOs in Our Society
Genetically Modified Organisms are not some corporate designed evil that will kill us
just to make an extra buck. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), are a process where
genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an
unrelated plant or animal (IRT). Sure, GMOs are not entirely natural, but that doesnt mean we
should fear them. In our food, genetically modified organisms provide us with tremendous
opportunity. In a constantly growing and changing country like the United States, its important
to remember that change and progression are important. As our generation grows, and society
finds new revolutionary discoveries, its important to remember how far our we have truly come.
With new advances in technology and science/health, we have not only expanded our average
lifespan, but also what we create within our years of living. There are individuals that fall victim
to false claims and believe that GMOs are dangerous and unnecessary, when in reality that is
untrue. Its evident that GMOs not only have the potential to expand our lifespan even further,
but provide us with new opportunities.
In the scientific community, GMOs are a very relevant and ever changing discussion.
According to Krimsky, S. in his scholarly article named An Illusory Consensus Behind GMO
Health Assessment, there are three main clusters (or positions to consider) in the evolving
argument. Cluster one provides scientific evidence that these genes are safe for humans. Cluster
two argues that even though GMOs are known to be safe, finishing food products should still
continue to be tested. Cluster three shows experiments of GMOs and the effects they have on
animals (Krimsky). I agree with Krimsky that these seem to be the biggest arguments amongst
GMOs and their development. Currently, there seems to be a rise in popularity amongst cluster

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three. Individuals who support cluster three, and believe GMOs to be dangerous, tend to refer to
rat studies. Krimsky states that there have been long term studies on rats and their health after
consuming foods containing GMOs.
Unfortunately, there has been a wave of deceptive articles on the internet that depict
GMOs as a dangerous health hazard without providing any such evidence. GMO Foods- Truth
About Genetically Modified Food, is a perfect example of how non-scholarly work can be
published to persuade an audience. In this article, the author immediately admits to no nutrition,
food science, or any credible background education. The GMO Project webpage, for a non-profit
organization dedicated to GMO safety, does not even explain why GMOs are considered
dangerous. This lacks any validation of their claim that GMOs have long term negative effects.
There is little to no credible evidence that the addition of GMOs to our foods has long term
negative effects. In addition, the scientific community largely supports GMOs. Scientist such as
Neil DeGrasse Tyson recently voiced his support, saying I seriously could just change global
warming is fake to GMO's are dangerous, and literally nothing else, and they would say the
exact same thing. (Skeptical)
Without recognition of these distorted arguments, its easy to get drawn into a false fact.
When people hear others say that GMOs are dangerous to their health, of course their immediate
response is to oppose GMOs. Currently, the argument has now been brought into politics.
Colorado and Oregon are just a couple examples. These states rejected a new ballot that would
require labels on grocery store items that say Produced with Genetic Engineering. These
ballots have been rejected in order to avoid more negative connotations of GMOs. If these ballots
had been passed, food product prices would rise. As food manufacturers and producers have to
change their product design and labeling, the prices to accomplish such activities will cause the
consumer price to rise. Large food distributers such as Walmart, Target, or any common grocery

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store will struggle to comply with such regulations. I agree that consumers deserve a right to
know what is in their food. Though this is extremely complicated for our economy, its nearly
impossible to just get rid of GMOs in our food products. If we decided to label GMOs within
food, we would need to label them all either GMO-Agriculture or GMO-Laboratory.
(Skeptical). To eliminate GMOs in our food, manufacturers would then have to find new
suppliers- ones that would generally cost more due to the fact they are not using GMOs. As
supply prices rise, as will manufacturing and distributing prices, as will consumer prices. The
fight against GMOs will cause many complications for the nation.
Others believe that there is no need to be concerned of GMO risks. In nature, plants
exchange genetic material quite frequently. GMOs artificially mimic this action in nature. The
fear should lie in the product itself, not the process in which it was made. The Society of
Toxicology (SOT) explains, The available scientific evidence indicates that the potential
adverse health effects arising from biotechnology-derived foods are not different in nature from
those created by conventional breeding practices for plant, animal, or microbial enhancement,
and are already familiar to toxicologists (SOT). With genetic engineering, food producers can
actually reduce chances of risk that may happen without being in a controlled setting. it is
important to recognize that it is the food product itself, rather than the process through which it is
made, that should be the focus of attention. In assessing safety, the use of the substantial
equivalency concept provides guidance as to the nature of any new hazards (SOT). The SOT
provides us certified evidence and knowledge that the process of manipulating genes can be done
in a controlled setting, or in nature. Knowing this, it is important to recognize that the
manipulation of genes will happen GMO free or not, but safety and health lays in the final
product- not how it was made.

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The availability to manipulate these genes also allows the addition of valuable nutrients.
As many nations face malnutrition they face many health complications, such as stunted growth
and vitamin deficiencies. With GMOs, we can create cheap, available sources of nutrients for
these victims. For example, a new rice called Golden Rice stems from a normal white rice
which has been manipulated to include Pro-Vitamin A in its nutrients. The process of
biofortification can add an abundance of vitamins and minerals to common food staples. In
worlds of poverty or malnourishment, products like this hold great value.
GMOs not only offer society nutritional value, but also an economical one. With
advancements in GMOs, crops and animals can be produced at a rate twice as fast as their
normal rate. This allows them to produce more and more efficiently. With a more abundance of
food, the price of it will lower in common grocery and food distribution stores. This also
provides more food to export to other nations- specifically China and Brazil, who suffer greatly
from malnutrition. The abundance of food can help feed the hungry, but not just the hunger of
others in other countries, but also the United States. Mass production of nutritious food will help
provide a dinner for those who already struggle to find something to eat. There are endless
advantages to a surplus in food supply, but society can only get there with the help of GMOs.
GMOs are a new way to face the future head on. We can make food more available, cost
efficient, effective, and safe. With proven evidence that GMOs are safe and helpful, we can use
them for endless possibilities. This is not something society should fear. With fear and
unacceptance comes economical and health complications for the nation. GMOs may not be
entirely natural, but they do mimic cross genetic practices found in nature. GMOs give us the
opportunity to advance.
Overall this is a solid essay. I see multiple strong points being made throughout the essay
that are hard to dispute since you used reasons like there are countries that suffer from
malnutrition. There is an abundance of ethos with pathos sprinkled with pathos within the essay.

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Works Cited
Amofah, G. "Recommendations from a Meeting on Health Implications of Genetically Modified
Organism (GMO)." Ghana Medical Journal 48.2 (2014): 117. Web.
Anonymous. "The Traveling GMO Roadshow." Wall Street Journal (2014): n. pag. Web. 2 Oct.
2016.
(GENERA), GENetic Engineering Risk Atlas. "GENetic Engineering Risk Atlas
(GENERA)." Source Shows Half of GMO Research Is Independent. N.p., n.d. Web. 03
Oct. 2016.
"GMO Education - Institute for Responsible Technology." Institute for Responsible Technology.
N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2016.
"GMO Foods - Truth About Genetically Modified Food." GMO Foods. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct.
2016.
Https://www.facebook.com/NaturalNathanael/. "What I Learned from Six Months of GMO
Research: None of It Matters." Grist. N.p., 09 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2016.

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Krimsky, S. "An Illusory Consensus behind GMO Health Assessment."Science, Technology &
Human Values 40.6 (2015): 883-914. Web.
Paarlberg, Robert. "GMO Foods and Crops: Africa's Choice." New Biotechnology 27.5 (2010):
609-13. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.
@skepticalraptor. "Neil DeGrasse Tyson Tells GMO Haters to Chill Outpeople Get
Angry." Daily Kos. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.
Toxicology Sciences. "The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods Produced through
Biotechnology."The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods Produced through
Biotechnology. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2016.