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Kyle Cyr

Mrs. Davis

English Comp II

08 November 2017

Annotated Bibliography: Genetically Modified Foods

Acosta, Luis. Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: United States. Law Library of

Congress, 1 Mar. 2014, www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/usa.php. 30 Oct.

2017.

This government article discusses that laws and regulations which are currently in place

in the United States that govern genetically modified organisms. The laws are put in place to

regulate the use, modification, and implementation of genetically modified organisms. Article

author Luis Acosta is a senior legal information analyst for the United States government. This

article is sourced from the Law Library of Congress, which provides access to reliable legal

materials. The author cites many sources and laws at the end of the article to support and defend

their claims. The article is not a bias source as it provides a legal analysis of the development and

use of genetically modified organisms. I believe this article will not benefit my paper as it uses

confusing laws and terminology which may inhibit the readers understanding of the topics.

Barrows, Geoffery, et al. Agricultural Biotechnology: The Promise and Prospects of Genetically

Modified Crops. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 28, no. 1, 2014, pp. 99

120., www.aeaweb.org/full_issue.php?doi=10.1257/jep.28.1#page=101. 30 Oct. 2017.

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This scholarly journal provides insight into natural genetic manipulation and the new

techniques of genetic engineering implemented by biotechnology corporations. Also discussed is

the practice of double cropping, which was not possible with conventional seeds. Author

Geoffrey Barrows is a Ph.D student in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics

at the University of California. The Journal of Economic Perspectives serves to publish academic

economic research. This article is an unbiased examination of the effects genetic modification

has had on crops. There is a comprehensive list of applicable source work listed within the

journal to support the authors research. I believe the information presented in this article would

be of great benefit to my paper as it provides an easy to understand approach to complicated

subject matter.

Hakim, Danny. Doubts About the Promised Bounty of Genetically Modified Crops. The New

York Times, The New York Times, 29 Oct. 2016,

www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/business/gmo-promise-falls-short.html. 30 Oct. 2017

This news article discusses the skyrocketing use of insecticides and herbicides in

genetically modified organisms. It also discusses the potential harm that the pesticides and

herbicides may cause. Author of the article Danny Hakim is an investigative reporter with The

New York Times London Bureau. The source of this article is the New York Times, which is an

American newspaper that brings daily breaking news. I believe this article to be biased as it will

mention arguments from farmers and large agricultural corporations. The author spends more

time defending farmers than he does analyzing data. I do not believe this to be a useful source as

it would cause the reader to take a side in the topic.

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Klmper, Wilhelm, and Matin Qaim. A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified

Crops. PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, 3 Nov. 2014,

journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0111629. 31 Oct. 2017.

This scholarly article highlights the impact genetically modified crops have had on crop

yield. According to the results of the study conducted in the article, crop yields have increased;

however, there is a difference in yield between developed and developing countries. Authors

Wilhelm Klumper and Matin Qaim are a part of the Department of Agricultural Economics and

Rural Development, Georg-Auhust-University, in Gottingen Germany. The Public Library of

Science conducts a peer review for every article that is published. All data presented in this

article is supported by source work and is purely analytical. The article seeks to provide a

detailed analysis the data collected which is not of a bias nature. This article is a reliable source

as it provides statistical data in support of crop yield that the reader can understand, which I

believe to be of benefit to my paper.

Landrigan, Philip, and Stephen Morrissey. GMOs, Herbicides, and Public Health. The New

England Journal of Medicine, The New England Journal of Medicine, 20 Aug. 2017,

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1505660. 2 Nov. 2017.

This Interview talks about the common misconception of the potential effects that

genetically modified organisms have on human health. It points out that genetically modified

organisms have shown no effects on human health. However, the use of pesticides and herbicides

may have potential health effects. Interviewee Philip Landrigan is the dean at the Icahn School of

Medicine. The Interviewer Stephen Morrissey in the managing editor at The New England

Journal of Medicine. The New England Journal of Medicine is a 200-year-old peer reviewed

medical journal. The interview conducted takes a medical standpoint on the controversial topic
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of genetically modified organisms. I believe this article will benefit my paper as the information

comes from a medical standpoint.

Newman, Caroline. Largest-Ever study reveals environmental impact of genetically modified

crops. Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology, Phys.org, 16 Sept.

2016, phys.org/news/2016-09-largest-ever-reveals-environmental-impact-

genetically.html. 1 Nov. 2017.

The article discusses the research conducted by the University of Virginia that highlights

the effects genetic modification has had on soybean and maze crops. The maze and soybean

crops are now requiring much more herbicide to combat weeds, which is a growing concern to

increased water and air pollution. Caroline Newman is a news associate at the University of

Virginia and also a graduate from the University of Virginia. Phys.org is an internet news portal

that posts current news on science and science related topics. This article provides a nonbiased

approach to the effects of genetically modified crops. I believe this article to be an excellent

source as it provides fantastic statistical data.

Robbins, John. Can GMOs Help End World Hunger? Food Revolution Network, The Food

Revolution Network, 6 May 2016, foodrevolution.org/blog/gmos-world-hunger/. 1 Nov.

2017.

This website article discusses the argument that genetically modified foods were being

designed to be the solution to world hunger and malnutrition. Golden rice, the main focus of this

piece, is used to illustrate how biotech companies designed a crop that was intended to help fight

a Vitamin A deficiency. John Robbins is the author of nine bestselling books and is the co-

founder and president of The Food Revolution Network. The author mentions many sources,
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articles and quotes throughout his article. The author definitely has a bias stance in the article as

he claims that we should not trust biotech companies. I believe that this article would best be left

out of my paper as it could detract from the neutral stance of my piece.

Worland, Justin. GMO Food Doesn't Harm Human Health, Report Says. Time, Time, 17 May

2016, time.com/4338702/gmo-human-health-safety-genetically-modified-crops/. 1 Nov.

2017.

This news article talks about the effects of genetically modified crops. The lack of risks

posed to human health and the environment are the primary topics being addressed. Justin

Worland is the author of this news article he has been writing for Time Magazine since 2016.

Time is news magazine that publishes informative news on what is going on in the world of

politics, science, business and entertainment. In the Time article the author has imbedded many

links in the text which lead to credible sources. This article takes a neutral approach to this topic

which seeks to inform the reader. The lack of statistical insight may not convey the magnitude of

the effects effectively; which I believe would not benefit my paper.

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Kyle Cyr

Mrs. Davis

English Comp II

08 November 2017

Essay 2 Outline

Introduction Paragraph:

A. Hook Statement to get the readers attention.

B. Thesis: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a frequently discussed and

controversial topic in todays world; we should know the benefits and repercussions

that GMOs offer us.

Body 1:

A. Topic Sentence + transition Genetically modified organisms have several positive

attributes: for example, the increased yield of crops.

- Detailed Support: On average, GM technology has increased crop yields by 21%

(Klmper, Qaim).

B. Topic Sentence Another advantage of GM crops is the ability to acquire desirable traits

in crops using genetic engineering.

- Detailed Support: Conventional plant breeding often took many years and would

produce unanticipated results while the genetic modification of crops allows accurate

selection of traits (barrows).

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C. Topic Sentence The most important advantage is that the consumption of genetically

modified crops are safe.

- Detailed Support: Numerous independent science academies and regulatory bodies

have reviewed the evidence about risks, concluding that commercialized GM crops

are safe for human consumption and the environment (Klmper, Qaim).

- Closing Statement.

Body 2:

A. Topic Sentence Although there are positive aspects of GMOs, there are also some

drawbacks to their use. There is an increasing need for herbicides in soybeans due to the

adapted resilience of plants.

- Detailed Support: Soybean crops, on the other hand, saw a significant

increase in herbicide use, with adopters of genetically modified crops using 28

percent more herbicides than non-adopters (Newman)

B. Topic Sentence The genetic modification of crops does not present any health risks

itself. However, the increased use of herbicides may have an ill effect on humans.

- Detailed Support: [t]he International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

has classified glyphosate, the herbicide most widely used on GM crops, as a

probable human carcinogen (Landrigan, Morrissey).

C. Topic Sentence The effects of increased use of Herbicides have a negative impact on

the environment.

- Detailed Support: Summary from Caroline Newman about the threats

herbicides pose to the air and water from continued use.

- Closing Statement.
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Body 3:

A. Topic Sentence + transition Due to genetically modified crops advancements farmers

have new abilities to grow different crops.

- Detailed Support: Summarization of what double cropping allows farmers to

accomplish that they could not with conventional seeds. (Barrows)

B. Topic Sentence While advancements in GMO technologies have attributed an overall

gain in crop yields there is a disparity in yield between developing and developed

countries.

- Detailed Support: Statistic that crop yields are higher in developing countries

than developed countries (Klmper, Qaim).

C. Topic Sentence The economic impact of genetically modified crops.

- Detailed Support: Statistical impact that genetically engineered maze has had

on the economy by lowering costs (Barrows).

- Closing Statement.

Summary:

A. Topic Sentence Brief summary of paragraph one the positive attributes of GMOs.

B. Topic Sentence Brief summary of paragraph two and the negative attributes of GMOs.

C. Topic Sentence Brief summary of the effects genetically modified seeds have had on

farming and the economy.

D. Concluding Sentence Restate thesis statement: Genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) are a frequently discussed and controversial topic in todays world; we should

know the benefits and repercussions that GMOs offer.

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Works Cited

Barrows, Geoffery, et al. Agricultural Biotechnology: The Promise and Prospects of Genetically

Modified Crops. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, vol. 28, no. 1, 2014, pp. 99

120., www.aeaweb.org/full_issue.php?doi=10.1257/jep.28.1#page=101. 30 Oct. 2017.

Klmper, Wilhelm, and Matin Qaim. A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified

Crops. PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, 3 Nov. 2014,

journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0111629. 31 Oct. 2017.

Landrigan, Philip, and Stephen Morrissey. GMOs, Herbicides, and Public Health. The New

England Journal of Medicine, The New England Journal of Medicine, 20 Aug. 2017,

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1505660. 2 Nov. 2017.

Newman, Caroline. Largest-Ever study reveals environmental impact of genetically modified

crops. Phys.org - News and Articles on Science and Technology, Phys.org, 16 Sept.

2016, phys.org/news/2016-09-largest-ever-reveals-environmental-impact-

genetically.html. 1 Nov. 2017.