Below is an excerpt from an argumentative text on genetically modified foods. Take a moment to read the text before moving on.
As you read, consider the
claim the author makes in the text, the
evidence used to support it, any
alternative viewpoints addressed, and the likely
intended audience.
The Safety and Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods
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| Watermelon from Giovanni Stanchi's 17th century painting Watermelons, peaches, pears and other fruit in a landscape. The image shows how watermelons used to look before further genetic modification. |
Genetic engineering or genetic modification is the manipulation of an organism's genes through human activity or technology. Humans have practiced genetic modification for thousands of years now, particularly in agriculture. Many of the crops that people enjoy today, including corn, sweet potatoes, watermelon, and strawberries, are the products of careful genetic engineering. The genetic modification of foods is a safe, normal, and ultimately beneficial activity.
Today, genetic modification usually involves the insertion of DNA from different organisms (plants, bacteria, viruses) into the seeds of specific crops. Some crops are modified with proteins that make them more resistant to insects; this in turns helps increase the amount of crops grown. Other crops are modified to add in nutrients. Golden rice has been genetically modified with genes from soil bacteria and corn to produce beta-carotene, an enzyme that helps with vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health issue and can lead to childhood blindness and a weakened immune system. Genetically modified (GM) foods provide many benefits that would not be possible otherwise.
A concern that some people have with GM foods is the effect that the added DNA will have on a specific crop or even on humans when it is consumed. The development of genetically modified foods is a rigorous process that goes through many stages to ensure that it is safe for consumption. After it was discovered that a Brazil nut protein inserted in soybeans still triggered a reaction in people allergic to Brazil nuts, the testing stopped, and the soybeans never entered the market, not even as animal feed. In addition to the testing done during the development process, GM foods are also subject to testing from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA raises safety concerns during the engineering process and suggests the types of testing that should be done.
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Audience — What group did the author write this text for?
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7th Grade Reading - Argumentative Text Lesson