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McKenzie Reinhardt
Prof. Salgat
ENG-111-24
September 9, 2014
The Give and Take of Feeding a Growing Population
In Mike Obels article, Case Closed: Theres Nothing Wrong With Genetically Modified
Crops the author presents his strong beliefs on why genetically modified crops are necessary
today. The worlds population is growing tremendously and is expected to increase by thirty
percent of todays population in approximately thirty years. This would leave the worlds
population with nearly nine billion people, in dire need for food (Obel). Farmers have actually
found a new way to grow a larger abundance of crops, but a lot of people are concerned with this
new form. These people have begun to shut the idea down because they believe genetically
modified crops are harmful to their bodies. In places such as Kenya and Uganda, starvation is
widespread, and genetically modified crops could potentially make a huge difference (Obel).
Although calling these crops genetically modified may give people a scare, they have been used
for many years, and people have been eating them for longer than they are aware. Shelves of
genetically modified vegetables are filled at local grocery stores every day, but today people
have started to stand up against genetically modified crops. What these people do not know is, at
the rate this planets population is increasing, without genetically modifying crops it will be
nearly impossible to feed this growing population.

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Genetically modified crops are crops in which the DNA has been modified using genetic
engineering practices. This means that these crops do not occur naturally. Genetically modified
crops are made for a few different reasons. These reasons are: to resist pests, require less
fertilizer or water, and to make the crops grow more abundantly than the original conventional
crops that have been previously grown. These three benefits of genetically modified crops are
causing the use of genetically modified seeds to grow exponentially. Last year, was
approximately the 20th year that genetically modified seeds were available, and was also a year
where farmers planted more crops with genetically modified seeds than conventional seeds. This
led to the largest corn harvest on record, and 98 percent of these corn bushels were genetically
modified seeds (Obel). Genetically modified crops are labeled necessary to feed the growing
population. Mike Obel states in the article, the dire need for food in the world, a situation that is
worsening literally by the day. To tend to this growing population and increasing need for food
more crops need to be grown. More food must be grown in the next fifty years than has been
produced in the last 10,000 years combined because of the increasing population around the
world (Obel). Genetically modified crops could make a huge difference for countries who are
going through a starvation period. Some would even say it would be virtually impossible to meet
the planets growing needs without genetically modified crops (Obel).
Bias is the prejudice in favor of or against a person, group, thing, or idea. Sometimes
authors will show bias to make a point or persuade you to their side, but as times using bias in
writing is not okay. Mike Obel shows a strong bias in this article and is pushing for the use of
genetically modified seeds. This article shows no information against the bias, making it hard for
the reader to feel for the opposing side. Many credible sources, including established medical
and scientific organizations, are named that support the case of genetically modified crops. These

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credible sources include: the National Academies, the American Association for the
Advancement of Science, the American Medical Association, the European Commission, the
Royal Society, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Obel). If these
establishments are pushing for the use of genetically modified seeds, then why shouldnt the rest
of the worlds population? A quote from Anne Glover, European Unions chief scientist, was
also included saying, The bottom line for me is that there is no more risk in GMO food than
conventionally farmed food. It has nothing to do with genetic engineering, so if you decide that
you want to implement the regulations in such a way that you want to prevent the use (of GMO
food), then that has to be talked about, and the people need to be clear why you have rejected it.
By providing a quote from the unions chief scientist, publically announcing the safety of
genetically modified foods Obel solidifies why his stance on genetically modified foods is
correct, and also makes his bias even more prominent. This bias is shown throughout the entire
paper and the other side of the argument is never even mentioned. Only quotes from reliable
individuals and different organizations are mentioned, and only for Obels side. If one can read
an article like this and not question whether the article was correct, then the author achieved
exactly what he wanted. By not mentioning the other sides view, Obel makes an attempt to not
leave any wandering questions in the readers mind.
Obel also shows bias by mentioning that another blow was recently delivered to his
opponents (Obel). Towards the end of the article, he mentions that there was an article released
stating that there was a link between genetically modified corn and cancer. He then replies by
stating that the study turned out to not be credible. Even with the opposing side constructing
studies and articles, Obel makes sure that the reader knows that these studies being released by

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the opposing side is not reliable and is misguiding (Obel). Obel shows bias by knocking down
opposing studies towards why these genetically modified crops are dangerous.
Obels article appeared persuasive in nature and could easily sway thoughts to their side.
This makes the bias in this paper acceptable. Since this paper was persuasive and showed bias,
the reader would only be receiving information on the bias side of the argument, which is not a
bad thing for the side the author wants the reader to agree with. The author successfully stated
facts and statistics convincing the reader to agree with genetically modified crops and what they
are used for. Not only did the author make a great debate to sway the reader to their pro
genetically modified seeds or crops side but also gave the reader enough personal thoughts and a
list of established supporters to make the article sound credible in what it was preaching. The
bias was used in the proper manner, and will help persuade those who read the article next.
The article tells us that more and more farmers around the world are using genetically
modified crops every day. These crops have become helpful in ways such as producing more
bountiful crops, resisting pests, and exhausting less fertilizer and/or water. As a result, the world
is seeing less disease and pests in their produce and are finding that the harvests in the past years
cannot amount to the harvests that they are seeing now. Not only this, but with the population
rates on the rise, these genetically modified seeds with help produce more crops to feed these
much larger populations. The bias in this paper helps solidify the fact that genetically modified
crops/seeds are necessary and without them it will be nearly impossible to produce enough food
for this growing population.

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Works Cited
Obel, Mike "Case Closed: There's Nothing Wrong With Genetically Modified Crops"
International Business Times (2013); Web.