Rachel Arnold

4th hour
5/4/16

Hot Topic Outline

Introduction
A.
Over 80% of all the food Americans consume is genetically
modified. It is becoming more and more of a prominent issue in
modern day society as the research on this continues to grow.
B.
The genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food we
eat are contaminated to the point where their DNA has changed.
C.
Without changing the way our food is produced, our
environment and health are in danger.

II.

Counterargument
A.
Some people would argue that GMOs are a good thing for
the society.
B.
Certain studies may show that GMOs have provided more
food and saved money.
1.
The FDA has regulated that GMOs are considered safe to
consume. (The Facts about GMOs)
2.
Additionally some studies show that this allows us to make
food more affordable. (The Facts about GMOs)

C.
Supporters of GMOs believe they benefit the society.
D.
However, these people are completely unaware of the
negative side effects that come with these genetically modified
foods.
1.
These foods should be illegal due to the health risks, and
environmental damage.

III.

Main Argument Point #1

A.
GMOs have shown many signs of negatively effecting the
environment.
B.
Supporting Facts
1.
Almost 80% of produce grown with GMOs are designed to
be resistant to herbicide, which kills weeds. (GMO Facts)
2.
All these chemicals have led to certain weeds and insects
to evolve into having a higher tolerance for the poisons. (GMO
Facts)
3.
The chemicals being used on crops today have become
more potent and toxic. (GMO Facts)

4.
These crops, with GMOs that produce pesticides, have
shown to contaminate streams and bodies of water nearby now
also damaging species of fish. (Environmental Risks)
5.
Cross Pollination can also occur in which genetically
modified plants can possibly affect the non modified plants.
(Environmental Risks)

C.
Based on this information, the effects of GMOs are unknown
and should be taken seriously.
1.
The environment is very important and it needs to be
protected from such harmful effects of GMOs.

D.
In such a fast adapting world, the genetically engineered
has gone too far and now may be permanently causing damage
to the land we once used to grow crops in their natural state.

IV.

Main Point #2
A.
Other countries are beginning to realize sooner than the
United States that GMOs are dangerous.
B.
Supporting Facts
1.
60 countries around the world and 19 countries in Europe
have banned the growing of crops that have been genetically
modified. (GMO Facts) (Heres Why 19 Countries In Europe
Just Completely Banned Genetically Modified Crops)
2.
These countries are banning all sales and distributions of
genetically modified food due to the lack of proper research on
them being safe. (Heres Why 19 Countries In Europe Just
Completely Banned Genetically Modified Crops)
3.
More studies than not have shown significant health and
environmental issues that cannot be ignored. (Heres Why 19
Countries In Europe Just Completely Banned Genetically Modified
Crops)
4.
After one family switched from eating GMO foods to
organic foods, their urine samples showed almost no trace of
toxic chemicals and pesticides as opposed to before when there
were high levels in all of their bodys. (Heres Why 19 Countries
In Europe Just Completely Banned Genetically Modified Crops)

C.
These are well developed nations that have taken the time
to learn that the costs outweigh the benefits in this decision.
1.
The governments of these nations have taken the time to
conduct the research, and the results are not positive.

D.
As a result, it makes no sense why the United States
government continues to poison the citizens with such DNA
altered food.

V.

Main Point #3
A.
Ultimately, the most important reason GMOs should be
banned is due to our health.
1.
There are not many long term studies on the effects of
GMOs on our bodies so the damage could be unknown and
detrimental.

B.

Supporting facts
1.
Many recent studies done on rats, have shown that when
they were fed genetically modified foods, specifically soy, there
were a number of fertility, and reproductive problems. Some of
these included the babies dying within 3 weeks of being born,
being born too early, and were too small. (Health Risks)
2.
By the third generation of rats fed the genetically modified
food, most were unable to reproduce at all. (Health Risks)
3.
Studies also showed a number of liver problems in the rats
fed the GMO food. The livers were too small and deformed, too
big, or toxically insulted. (Health Risks)
4.
Childhood disorders such as autism or asthma have been
on the rise for the past years and the correlation includes GMOs.
(Heres Why 19 Countries In Europe Just Completely Banned
Genetically Modified Crops)
5.
The rats fed genetically modified food also developed large
cancerous tumors. (Heres Why 19 Countries In Europe Just
Completely Banned Genetically Modified Crops)

C.
It shouldnt even be a question whether the food we eat is
in its natural state or not.
1.
The FDA chooses to be ignorant to the facts about how
GMOs are causing the countries health to diminish.

D.
Since a majority of the food grown in the United States right
now is genetically modified, it is almost as if the population is
being used as a science experiment.
1.
GMOs are dangerous, and should be prohibited for the sake
the of peoples health.

VI. Conclusion
A.

Restate Thesis

1.
Although some people believe that GMOs make food
cheaper and allow there to be more, the truth is that they
negatively affect the environment, our health, and have already
been banned in many countries throughout the world.

B.
Continuing to consume GMOs would not only put a risk on
ones health, but especially to all future generations to come.
C.
In the long run, it is not worth it to buy genetically modified
foods as opposed to organic.

Bibliography
"Environmental Risks - Institute for Responsible Technology." Institute for Responsible
Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016.

"The Facts About GMO." The Facts About GMO. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016.

"GMO Facts." The NonGMO Project RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016.

"Health Risks - Institute for Responsible Technology." Institute for Responsible Technology.
N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016.

"Heres Why 19 Countries In Europe Just Completely Banned Genetically Modified

Crops." CollectiveEvolution RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2016.