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Tierra Williams

Debra Jizi

UWRT 1104

19 March 2017

Research Proposal

1.What are the effects of genetically modified food on our body? Could this biotech food

be the cause of rising health risks in America?

My inquiry project is about the effects of Genetically Modified food because I want to

educate myself and others about the changes that are being made to our food. A genetically

modified organism is a plant, animal, microorganism, or other organism whose genetic makeup

has been modified using recombinant DNA methods, gene modification or transgenic technology

(Dictionary.com, 2017). According to The Organic & Non-GMO Report, 54% of Americans

know nothing or little to nothing about biotech foods. Like most Americans, I was completely

unaware of what a genetically modified organism (GMO) was. Recently I stumbled across the

movie Consumer that is about the effect of GMOs on children. Ever since then I have been

interested in what our food really consists of and why it is allowed in the U.S. without

consumers knowledge. President Obama promised to get Genetically Modified Organisms

(GMO) labels on our food in 2007 and it has yet to be done but it is already used in 80 percent of

the food that we eat.

The problem with genetically modified organisms is that there have been no long-term

studies conducted on the safety of GM food on humans. Without the proper research I think it is

safe to say that us Americans are the guinea pigs. We do not know what genetically modified
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food is doing to our bodies not to mention the generation to come. Regardless of the unknown

effects of GMOs we deserve to know what we are eating and feeding our families.

2. I am connected personally to my inquiry project because I have been struggling to eat

healthy for a while now. One of my strengths is critical thinking, I believe that there might be a

correlation between cancer (and/or other increasing health problems) and the food that we eat in

the United States. As a nursing major potential health risks are a concern of mine. Health care is

very expensive and people could be saving a lot of money if they knew why there is an increase

in health risks. My goal is to do research so that I can spread awareness to others.

3. I believe that the government is making a lot of money off of GMOs because the US

spends more money on health care than any other country. I am partially bias because I think the

government is profiting off of these biotech foods which is why I believe they arent enforcing

the labeling of GMOs. I hope by informing others on the topic we can push the government to

pass laws that enforce the labeling of GMOs and eventually run studies on the effects of

engineered food.
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Works Cited

"GMO." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2017. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

"Most U.S. Consumers Still Unaware of Genetically Modified Foods." Most U.S.
Consumers Still Unaware of Genetically Modified Foods. Ed. Ken Roseboro. N.p., n.d.
Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

Consumed. Dir. Daryl Wein. Perf. Zoe Lister-Jones. Mister Lister Films, 2015. DVD.