TOW #15- Labels for GMO Foods Are a Bad Idea

The topic of health and food has become a topic of debate over time. Common people, businesses, and politicians have recently started battling out legislation forcing GMO’s, or foods made from genetically modified organisms.  In the article, “Labels for GMO Foods Are a Bad Idea”, the editors of Scientific American argue against this type of legislation.  Using statistics and alluding to past events, the editors attempt to convince common people to move against this legislation.

            Multitudes of statistics from a variety of reputable sources are implemented throughout the text to logically convince American citizens to be against these types of legislations.  These statistics are intended to convince people that GMO’s are not a health risk, and that labels will not be beneficial. To convince people that these labels aren’t beneficial, the editors state that a label bill in California “would have raised an average California family's yearly food bill by as much as $400.” The mention of a substantial spending increase immediately frightens the majority of common Americans. Many Americans amidst the financial crisis are short on money, and cannot afford this extra spending due to labels. In order to convince readers of health benefits being more prominent then risks, the editors mention a GMO product called Golden Rice. They state that, “researchers have engineered Golden Rice, which produces beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.” As they go on to describe the benefits this could have to the global community, they also describe how GMO legislation would delay these benefits. This logic appeal to the audience helps the GMO issue seem less threatening, and more beneficial and necessary to the community.

            The editors’ alluding to past events is intended to draw the implication that logically what happened once, will happen again.  To inform American citizens what will likely occur should they allow legislation to pass, the editors describe events that unfolded in Europe.  After label legislation past due to a hysteria of fear of GMO’s, “to avoid labels that might drive customers away, most major European retailers had removed genetically modified ingredients from products bearing their brand.” Many readers, after being informed through statistics the added benefits of GMO products, may not be pleased with this idea of GMO’s not being available.

            Through statistics and allusion to past events, the editors of the Scientific American convince readers to move against anti-GMO legislation.

GMO's
http://www.atyourpalate.com/blog/2013/08/gmos-101-genetically-modified-organisms-what-are-they/