Outline

Outline

Thesis: Genetically modified foods have gained proliferating popularity but has there been enough extensive research conducted to consider them safe for consumption?

1.      Introduction

A.      Are feeds made from genetically modified foods entering the livestock we eat?

B.      Genetically modified foods have been a contributing factor in the disappearance of bees and butterflies

C.      If claims about genetically modified organisms are well intended, then if this is true how come there is a plethora of money spend on preventive labeling in the United States?

D.     Is genetic engineering a useful tool for sustainable agriculture?

2.      Historical Background

A.      What environmental and social aspects brought genetically modified organisms to the table in the first?

B.      What was the main motive behind GMO’s and was there any other viable options or routes we could have taken to solve the problem?

C.      Congressional background on the laws passed.

3.      Definition of Topic

A.       GM crops versus breeding or marker assisted selection.

B.      What properties makeup GM crops and how do they differ from traditional crops?

C.      What are the agriculture pro and cons of GM crops?

D.     How do GM crops affect overall health?

E.      How does this affect our local community here in Minnesota?

4.      Proposed action for solving the problem

A.      Potentially for other ways of agricultural means and research. (Marker Assisted Selection)

B.      Social movements towards companies that support Non-GMO; building organizations that underpin the public's notions and beliefs on GMOs.

C.      Support local community farms

5.      Conclusion

A.      Drawbacks that come with GMOs must be considered and weighed against their benefits.

B.      What and how extensive has the research been on genetically modified crops.

C.      Health concerns from eating GM crops.

Bibliography

"Introduction to Genetically Modified Food: At Issue." Genetically Modified Food, edited by Tamara Thompson, Greenhaven Press,

2015.

The introduction to GMF: At Issue has a non-bias view on genetically modified foods and takes both sides of the facts while maintaining well laid out sources of information. The material covers both the biotechnology behind the process of GM crops and the social standing on Gm crops in the United States.

Bakshi, A. (2003). Potential adverse health effects of genetically modified crops. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 6, 211-225.

This is a short article that gives a deep contrast on the topic of genetically modified crops and their potential to either help or harm society. It goes over various topics of well thought out questions that one should be concerned about while researching this topic. For example, he talks about how GM crops might be enhanced with heavier toxins due to the genetic process than non-genetically modified foods. While introducing the potential behind them by claiming how they could eliminate hunger and starvation in millions of people. Overall for how short the article is it has a well laid out contrast to the debate as to whether genetically modified food is safe for consumption.

Bernstein J.A., Bernstein I.L., Bucchini L., Goldman L.R., Hamilton R.G., Lehrer S., Rubin C., and Sampson H.A. (2003). Clinical and laboratory investigation of allergy to genetically modified foods. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(8), 1114-1121.

The article talks about the clinical and laboratory investigations of allergens to genetically modified foods. In depth, it talks about the first corn to be grown genetically in the united states under a company called StarLink and used different protein structures that are more resilient than traditional corn crops. However, signs of the allergic reaction showed up on some of the workers dealing with these new strains; leading the CDC to convey tests and other governmental validations. Mainly the article has a non-bias view on genetically modified foods by showing the extensive research done on GM crops while portraying potential side effects that they had to people in the agriculture workforce.

Weeks, Jennifer. "Global Population Growth." CQ Researcher 16 Jan. 2015: 49-72.

In “Can the planet support another 4 billion people?” by Weeks has vast amounts of information not only on GM crops but also Acknowledges the counterparts of the various problem. For example, she states that Johnathan Foley, director of the institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota claims that GM crops could be intended to help solve world hunger issues. However, the biotech companies should be focused on third-world corps not just what we eat here in the states.  While stating that the critics have other viable solution such as marker assisted selection techniques.

"MAS, What Is It? Marker Assisted Selection." MAS, What Is It? Marker Assisted Selection. N.p., 2013.

           

The article goes over the different aspects of marker assisted selection and GM crops.