Here's a sample topic proposal, written by a student from a previous semester. The discussion section, which is about 670 words, is a good example of how to approach your own background research. Pay special attention to the documentation (MLA notes) and the how the author integrated his research (used material from two or more sources to develop each body paragraph).
Note that the paper is objective (it makes no conclusion about whether or not genetically modified foods should be controlled). The topic proposal shows how the student will expand the discussion and take a persuasive stand in Paper 5.
TO: Karen Walker
FROM: Joe Student
DATE: April 3, 2000
RE: Topic proposal for Formal Report
Topic: I propose to write a report that examines the issue of genetically modified foods. As a dietetics major, I will be dealing with decisions about the nutritional value and the safety of these food ingredients in my future work as a nutritional counselor.
Audience: County agents for the Illinois Home Economics Extension. They will receive the report this fall and use it to design programs and educational activities for consumer groups. The agents receive many questions from health-conscious consumers who are concerned about the foods they are feeding their families. These agents must be able to make informed recommendations about the use of genetically modified foods.
Formal report research question: Do the dangers of biotechnology and genetically modified foods outweigh the benefits?
Proposed Thesis: Given the troublesome reports of the ill effects of genetically modified foods, and the unpredictable consequences for the environment, the use of genetically engineered foods is too dangerous.
Preliminary Outline:
I. Introduction -- main issue, relevance to the reader, thesis
II. Overview of the controversy
A. Brief history of the scientific development of GM
foods
B. Recent developments and claims
C. Main issues being debated by opponents and
proponents
III. Biotechnology -- overview of how GM foods are produced
IV. Benefits of GM foods
A. Higher crop yields
B. Ability to grow food in otherwise
hostile conditions
C. Nutritional enhancements
V. The dangers of GM foods
A. To the environment -- super pests and
genetically dominant organisms, destabilization of ecology.
B. To human life -- disease, repercussions
from environmental mistreatment.
C. To agriculture
VI. Methods of control
A. Who controls the development and use of
GM foods
B. The motivations behind their power
VII. Labeling issues
VIII. Recommendations to help the reader identify GM foods and counsel consumers
IX. Conclusion -- re-emphasis of thesis, observations about the future of GM foods, call for reader action.
Discussion:
We are living in a unique time, where the manipulation of genes, the basic building blocks of life, has become common. Never before have we had such power to modify Mother Nature’s creations. The genetic modification of foods is one of the most controversial capabilities of this new technology, and although it is already in widespread use, many people question its safety. Others believe this science could lead to enormous benefits for consumers and farmers.
Selective breeding, which is a type of genetic modification, has been practiced for thousands of years, but the type of modifications being made today are very different. Unlike the techniques of selective breeding, today's genetically modified (GM) foods are being manipulated between species, where genes from a fish might be introduced into a vegetable. This splicing of genes between unrelated species offers much greater selection of unique traits, but it has many people worried that science is toying with nature without knowing the consequences (“Genetic” 1).
The benefits of GM foods are very enticing. Through these new techniques, researchers are finding a means to boost nutritional content in foods (USDA 1). By inserting certain genes from one food to another, we may be able to get valuable nutrients that the pure species was lacking. For instance, we could insert more protein into rice to help world populations achieve better health at a fraction of the cost (2).
Genetic engineering could also make the difference between famine and life for some areas of the world. By developing crops that can grow in otherwise unsuitable conditions, bioltechnology could boost crop yields by as much as 25 percent in developing countries (“Panel” 1). The use of pesticides could be reduced by creating crops that are resilient to pests (USDA 1). And protein needs could be better met by using genetically engineered vaccines to eradicate some types of animal disease, such as shipping fever of cattle (2).
The potential benefits of GM foods are astonishing, but there are also possible risks. In the few years since GM foods have been introduced, there have been countless reports of health and environmental dangers. Many genetically modified crops have insecticides genetically fused into them. These super crops have scientists worried that insects might become resistant to the insecticides and eventually become “super pests” (Blakemore 3). They fear that these types of genetically modified plants or animals could become dominant over other normal species and wipe them out (“Genetic” 2).
Another side effect of using GM technologies is the possible contamination of other organisms. Environmentalists are concerned that these engineered organisms could disrupt natural cycles and cause other ecological damage (Crenson 1). The genetically engineered Bovine Growth Hormone, which is injected into a huge percentage of cows in the U.S., has been linked to breast and prostrate cancer in humans. There is also evidence that the food supplement tryptophan has killed 37 people and disabled 1500 others (“Genetic” 2).
With so many possible threats to humans and the environment, the public has become highly sensitive to the issue of labeling. The FDA has ruled that GM foods are safe and do not need special labels (Crenson 2). Labeling supporters say that since the FDA requires labeling for foods that are irradiated, frozen and made from concentrate, there should also be detailed labeling for GM foods (Eisner 3). Opponents say that segregation of these products is unwarranted because of their similarities to the plants created through human selection. Farmers, who also oppose labeling, fear that any compromise on the labeling issue will cause a public backlash against their crops (2)
As biotechnology is taking food science to new levels of complexity, it is important to question whether the potential threats outweigh the benefits. The integration of GM foods into the lives of consumers and farmers is viewed differently among both groups, and it's clear that we need more long-term studies on the effects. This science could achieve so much for our planet, but is it worth the risk to proceed forward without knowing the full consequences?
Works Cited
Blakemore, Bill. “Genetically Modified Food Exploring the Controversy over
Crossing Natural Barriers.” ABCNEWS.com Dec.
9, 1999. (March 28, 2000).
http://more.abcnews.go.com/onair/WorldNewsTonight?wnt_991209_CL_AlteredFood_feature.html
Crenson, Matt. “Negotiators Agree on Labeling 'Frankenfoods'.”
ABCNEWS.com Jan. 29, 2000. (March 30, 2000).
http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/science/dailynews/gmagreement000129.html
Eisner, Robin. “Public Pushes for Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods.”
ABCNEWS.com March 8, 2000. (March 25, 2000).
http://abcnews.go.com:80/sections/living/DailyNews/gmolabel000308.html
“Genetic Engineering of our Food.” Home page. (March 30, 2000).
http://users.westnet.gr/~cgian/gefoods.htm
“Panel Sees Use for Genetically Altered Crops.” Detroit Free Press
October
14, 1998. (March 30, 2000).
http://www.freep.com/news/health/qdiet141.htm
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “USDA and Biotechnology.” (March
31, 2000).
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/faqs.html
Additional sources:
Brasher, Philip. “Farmers Charge Company Fixes Prices, Endangers Health.”
ABCNEWS.com Dec. 15, 1999. (March 29, 2000).
http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/business/DailyNews/biofoods991215.html
“Poison Plants?” Scientific American Explore! July 5, 1999. (March
30, 2000).
http://www.sciam.com/explorations/1999/070599plants/index.html
Personal interview with Howard Smith, a researcher in the
University of Illinois Food Science laboratory. Smith has studied the
nutritional components of GM foods. Interview is scheduled for April 12.
Personal interview with Mary Auth, marketing consultant for
the Illinois Soybean Association. Ms. Auth is being consulted to provide details
on Illinois farmers' stand on the GM issue and how GM soybeans are being used in
prepared foods. Interview is scheduled for April 18.