Safety of genetically engineered foods persuasive speech

Informative Speech

Genetically Modified Organisms

By Michael Whites

Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms

General Purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform my audiences about GMOs

Central Idea: GMOs have become a debate for several decades, therefore; I would like to inform my audiences about their benefits, risks, and medical uses

Introduction

I. How many of you have thought about where your food comes from?

A. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans. Because this involves the transfer of genes, GMOs are also known as “transgenic” organisms.

B. According to Margie Kelly, communications Manager at Healthy Child, Healthy World, commercialized GM crops in the U.S. include soy (94%), cotton (90%), canola (90%), sugar beets (95%), corn (88%), Hawaiian papaya (more than 50%) (Kelly, 2012)

II. Today, I would like to inform you about their benefits, health risks, and public concerns.

Body

I. We live in the populated world that demands high amounts of food. GMOs technology has a great benefit in that regard.

A. According Janelle Vaesa, Professor at the University of Louisville, one of the pros of genetically modified crops is a better taste, increased nutrients, resistance to disease and pests, and faster output of crops. (Vaesa, 2013)

B. Farmers can grow more food on less land with genetically modified crops. (Vaesa, 2013)

C. Genetically modified insect-resistant crops produce their own, highly-specific pesticide (called Bt proteins) against a specific group of pests. (Renee, 2015)

Transition: Even though they have tremendous advantages, there are some health risks related to the use of GMOs.

II. There is a continuous debate that GMOs are associated with some health risks.

A. Food Allergy affects approximately 5% of children and 2% of adults in the U.S. and is a significant public health threat (University of Minnesota, 2003).

B. Allergic reactions in humans occur when a normally harmless protein enters the body and stimulates an immune response (University of Minnesota, 2003).

C. GMOs rely on antibiotics, so antibiotics can potentially cause the development of genes to become antibiotic-resistant. (Stonebrook, 2013)

Transition: After talking about GMOs benefits and risks, I would like to tell you about the medical uses.

III. GMO technology is saving lives every day.

A. Scientists developed a new form of insulin made by genetically modified bacteria. (Fraley, 2015)

B. “GMO vaccines to fight cholera, malaria, and many other diseases for which non-GMO methods have proved ineffective are under development.” (Fraley, 2015)

Conclusion

GMOs have many benefits and potential health risks. In addition, they are heavily used in medication productions that can save many of lives. Among the GMO debate, would you still consume GMOs and save money, or rather to eat organics regardless of their expensive prices?

Work Cited

Fraley, Robert. “GMOs essential to life-Saving medicines and other uses, even if you don't want them in food.” Genetic Literacy Project, 28 Sept. 2015, geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/09/28/gmos-essential-life-saving-medicines-uses-even-dont-want-food/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.

“Harmful Effects of the Agent.” GMO: Harmful Effects, University of Minnesota, enhs.umn.edu/current/5103/gm/harmful.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.

Kelly, Margie. “Top 7 Genetically Modified Crops.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Oct. 2012, www.huffingtonpost.com/margie-kelly/genetically-modified-food_b_2039455.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.

Renee, Janet. “Benefits You Get From a GMO.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 20 May 2015, www.livestrong.com/article/195435-benefits-you-get-from-a-gmo/. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.

Stonebrook, Shelley. “4 Potential Health Risks of Eating GMO Foods.” 4 Potential Health Risks Of Eating GMO Foods, Care2 Healthy Living, www.care2.com/greenliving/health-risks-of-eating-gmo-foods.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.

Vaesa, Janelle. “GMOs: Benefits and Negative Effects of Genetically Modified Food.” Decoded Science, 19 July 2013, www.decodedscience.org/gmo-food-pro-and-con/23179. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.