Thesis: As humans purchase and consume products, one typically would not consider what is actually in their food or how it is obtained. Most people are not educated on or do not know what are genetically modified organism (or GMOs) are or that it is even used in everyday foods, and how it can seriously implicated consumers health; as a result the government should promote to pass a law to label products that use GMO.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1 Argument #1 What is the Issue? (Topic sentence): Presently, as technology advances, genetically modified organisms become more common. However, the everyday shopper may not even notice it exists and the negative impact it may inflict on them.
Point #1(Support): Major biotech companies pay food lobbyists, whom most are working for the government, in order to protect their organizations from the public delving into their industry. These million dollar industries hide what is truly behind the foods people eat and some of the methods they use may not be ideal for human ingestion.
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) Many government officials such as Michael Taylor, Tom Vilsack, and Elena Kagan, who used to work or collaborated for major biotech companies, now provide a biased opinion in the US food ministry. (Seattle Organic Restaurants, 2014)
So What? (Explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): As a result the public is unable to obtain the proper information needed because of lobbyists preventing the knowledge from leaking out. Companies conceal their methods of making GMO in order to make a profit and they are not considering the safety of those who use their products afterwards. Therefore, this causes health problems to arise in those who purchase these products. The chemicals companies use are not ideal for humans if they are not monitored properly. Even if these problems may not be noticeable now, it may be too late when it is discovered in the future.
Point #2 (Support): The waste that is created by these biotech industries, as a byproduct of GMO, greatly pollutes the air and water, and in turn, affects those who breathe and drink it in, including humans
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) In 2002, the residents of Wood Country in West Virginia were informed that their air was contaminated by DuPonts plant, [one of the most prominent biotech companies], that was producing a toxic chemical called C8 (Seattle Organic Restaurants, 2014)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): Innocent bystanders are harmed in the process of making genetically modified organisms. The chemicals used in altering these products are leaked out into the air or dumped into nearby waterways. As humans and other animals interact with these surroundings, they come in contact with the toxic chemicals and this leads to complicated health issues. Companies are not properly disposing the waste used to create these GMOs. Instead, it is leisurely thrown out into the environment harming not only animals but humans as well.
Counter Argument with Supporting Evidence: However, some may refute against this by saying that genetically modified organisms are beneficial. Since the discovery of GMO, farmers are able to grow foods with enhanced flavours from selective farming, and products with a longer shelf life due to resistance to disease. (HealthReasearchFunding.org, 2013)
Research the refutes the Counter Argument (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): Still, it takes just as long to grow GMO foods compared to organic foods. In addition, GMO seeds can cost $150 more per bag compared to the conventional seeds. (The Modern Farmer, 2013)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): Therefore, economically GMOs are not cost effective and do not benefit one money wise. Even if one is able to obtain a wider variety of more nutritious foods, farmers are making less profit under these biotech companies. Even if growers use the more conventional way, they are still competing with those who are able to sell their products overseas since they last longer. In turn, this can affect the cost of foods for the consumers because of the increase of money for the seeds and shipping. The smaller companies are unable to compete with such large companies. Also most farmers would turn to the more convenient way to grow crops.
Conclusion (for paragraph): Overall, the injustice of biotech companies producing GMOs without the public truly understanding the implications of this issue is against the basic right of all consumers. People should know what they are intaking into their body.
BODY PARAGRAPH 2 Argument #2 Why should we care? (Topic sentence): When buying GMO products, knowingly or unawares, most would not consider the health issues that would affect them in the near future.
Point #1(Support): Chemicals used in the GMO products such as pesticides and herbicides may transfer into the humans who are consuming them. This may cause severe health implications and even death.
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) Cry1Ab (the protein produced in common BT corn and soy) induced microcytic hypochromic anemia in mice and this toxin has been detected in the blood of non- pregnant women, pregnant women, and their fetuses. (GreenMedInfo, 2013)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): Chemicals biotech companies used may not have been screened properly and can enter the human body after ingestion. Most of these synthetic materials are harmful to the body especially in pregnant women, whom can transfer the toxins into the fetus. As the child is birthed, the chemicals can cause mutations and deformities.
Point #2 (Support): As researchers alter the genes in GMOs, some proteins in the DNA may cause allergic reactions and increase natural allergens in humans.
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) In the 1990s, and engineered soybean made people Brazil nut allergies have allergic reactions because they didnt realize the beans genetic material included a gene from the Brazil nut. (ABCNews, 2014)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): As scientists infuse other positive traits of organisms into the GMOs, it can cause a negative allergic reaction to those who are sensitive to certain allergens. Consumers come in contact with the product unknowingly and thus this can lead to severe reactions and even death. Without the product being properly labeled, customers who have allergies are more susceptible to having anaphylaxis.
Counter Argument with Supporting Evidence: On the other hand, GMOs allow some nutritional benefits, as farmers may add vitamins and minerals into their genetically modified organisms. (HealthReasearchFunding.org, 2013)
Research the refutes the Counter Argument (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): However, more chronic health and environmental risks are associated with GMO, such as chronic constipation, Crohns Disease and gastroesophageal reflux, compare to the benefits. (Seattle Organic Restaurants, 2014)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): Considering the positive and negative positions of the issue, the health risks overweigh the advantages. Not only might one suffer through serious complications, this can affect the quality of life of a person living with a condition cause by the GMO.
Conclusion (for paragraph): Overall, consuming and coming in contact with genetically modified organisms can cause extreme health conditions in not only those who use them, but in the children of the consumers as well.
BODY PARAGRAPH 3 Argument #3 What do you want done about it? (Topic sentence): Not much is currently known about GMOs. However, it is basic right for one to know what they are ingesting and how it can affect them.
Point #1(Support): One should be more aware of what they are intaking and buy foods that have the non-GMO or organic labeling on it such as the one from the Non-GMO Project.
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. (Non-GMO Project 2014)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): By buying products that do not use genetically modified organisms, one is able to improve the health of their family from reducing the risk of health implications caused GMOs. In addition, by not purchasing these products, it creates an awareness for companies to stop using these methods to sell food. Furthermore, this action supports companies that do use natural products.
Point #2 (Support): Not only can one educate themselves on GMOs, they should inform others on this issue and support organizations and foundations that are also for the same cause.
Proof (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): (include embedded reference) Non-GMO Month 2013 was an overwhelming success with over 1,850 stores participating in communities across the United States and Canada. With thousands of products verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, and the verification seal visible in stores in the US and Canada, Non-GMO Month provides an opportunity for consumers and retailers alike to celebrate our right to choose non-GMO (Non-GMO Project, 2014)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): As more and more communities see the importance of non-GMO, companies are forced to stop producing genetically modified organisms and produce more organic goods. By creating awareness and supporting events like Non-GMO Month, this will in turn demand the government to pass a law to enforce labeling on all products for GMO.
Counter Argument with Supporting Evidence: Some may say that just by creating awareness cannot create change. This can be seen during the Kony 2012 incident Critics also say raising awareness through campaigns like this isnt enough. (The Star, 2012)
Research the refutes the Counter Argument (Evidence: Quotation, fact, etc): Even if awareness does not create a lot of change, even a little is enough to have a large impact on biotech companies and the government. As seen in 2008 English public antibiotic campaigns, among English respondents, there was a small increase in recollection of campaign posters (2009 23.7% versus 2008 19.2%) (Oxford Journals, 2010)
So What? (explain your point and why your ideas prove the thesis): Even if the change is miniscule, awareness can improve on millions of lives. It exceeds having no one knowing about this issue and suffering in the future.
Conclusion (for paragraph): Therefore, one should improve on their and others lives by creating awareness and getting involved in more organic produces.
CONCLUSION Restated thesis: By creating awareness, one can prevent themselves and others from serious health problems caused by GMOs.
Restatement of Arguments and how they prove your thesis: GMOs are greatly impacting the lives of people today health wise. Not only do they harm those who come in contact with it, major biotech companies and the government shields the public from seeing what is truly used to create the food people ingests. By not knowing, this can cause severe impairment to ones wellness unless society stands up and creates awareness against this issue
Conclusion for essay - extend the significance of your topic. What are its larger implications? As the technology advances creating more positive and easier methods in do everyday tasks, one should see the implications caused by industrialization and constantly refer back to more natural and organic ways.
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