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Thomas Williams
Professor Malcolm Campbell
UWRT 1104
9/27/2018
Topic Proposal: GMOs, Good or Bad?

Introduction/Overview
I will be examining the effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) on our health

as consumers, the potential benefits or hazards for farmers, and the impact on our environment.

As well as researching the debate on whether to label GMOs in the grocery store to inform

consumers on exactly what they are purchasing.

Modern GMOs were first introduced to help farmers produce a higher yield of crop or

increase resistance to disease (Decoded Science). Farmers all throughout history have been

modifying agriculture through selective breeding, but in the late 20th century, scientists figured

out how to alter the genes of certain organisms. Every living thing contains DNA, which

includes genes, the genes are the instructions for how the DNA is made up, now if a gene is

modified, it's like rewriting the instructions of the DNA for the particular organism.

There are lots of potential benefits to GMO foods, genetically modified crops have better

taste, increased nutrients, resistance to disease, and a faster output of crops (U.S. Department of

Energy). Genetically modified animals that have been inserted with certain genes will

theoretically produce better milk, eggs, and meat. The modified animals and crops are also

supposed to have a higher resistance to disease and are environmentally friendly by conserving

water, soil, and energy (Decoded Science).

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Genetically modified organisms are relatively new, the new project produces lots of

controversies. The World Health Organization stated, "No effects on human health have been

shown as a result of the consumption…" But on the other hand, the European Network of

Scientists and Environmental Responsibility argues "Decisions on the future of our food and

agriculture should not be based on misleading and misrepresentative claims on GMO safety."

GMOs have been around for about three decades, and there have been more than 2,000 studies

evaluating the health and environmental aspects of these products and majority of these studies

found nothing to indicate that GMOs are a threat to our health.

There are 64 countries that require GMO foods to be labeled and almost 300 regions that

have banned growing GMOs. In the United States, food companies are not required to be

labeled, but an ABC News survey found that 93% of Americans believe that GMOs should be

labeled (Non-GMO Project).

Initial Inquiry Question(s)

Since there is no real evidence on whether GMOs can affect our health, is it wrong to

allow people to purchase GMO foods unknowingly?

My Interest in this Topic

I'm interested in genetically modified foods because working in a grocery store all

throughout high school I was trying to find a topic and I came across GMOs. That intrigued me

because I knew nothing about it and as I did basic research on the topic I thought it was very odd

I hadn't ever seen any type of labeling that indicated genetic modifications to food. I hope to

learn why companies choose not to label what kind of modifications have been done to the food

or if they even are modified.

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Next Steps
To research more on this topic, I will be using sources that are specifically dedicated to

the study of genetically modified organisms like the Non-GMO Project to get an understanding

of their reasons to disagree with genetic engineering. To research the side that agrees with

genetic modification to understand why they agree with it and why they think it is needed for our

future. I also will be researching specific websites that don't have an opinion they only state facts

like Genetic Literacy Project.