World Hunger and GMOs

Science and technology advances astound us each day. In the arena of world hunger, big business is creating a spectacular photo of promise while hiding their ulterior motive, profits. John Robbins, author of Can GMOs HElp End World Hunger posted August 1, 2011 in The Blog on Huffington Post. Robbins poses the idea that big business is using world hunger, genetically modified foods and forms of media to convince us that we must use the products or people around the world will starve. Robbins provides a link to his history and current positions building his credibility with facts and statistics. He notes the use of emotional appeal blind and starving children, he appeals to the logical side of farming and readers emotion to support his argument.

Robbins post begins by describing a genetically engineered rice, and describes the reason for its development, followed by support from a former president and the description of the advertising campaign. He then provides the results of studies since the initial launch of the genetically modified rice, along with notes listing problems. For example growing this rice in water restricted areas is impossible, and the rice was created for these areas.

The blog goes further building and an ethical(ethos) case against Monsanto with its use of Technology Protection System through terminator technology by discontinuing the age old process of saving seeds. He used sourced Monsantos own documents as and campaign advertisements. Logically, we know that our food is produced by an unknown entity, but we understand the basic principles of seeds and their reproduction. How, can the cycle continue, without self producing seeds is question the author is conveying. This is the author's unwritten logos.

Robbins uses emotion or pathos throughout his Blog, he incites anger at the large corporations using one of our basic needs, food as a tool for profit. The golden rice with its genetic engineering, produces beta carotene, that the body needs to make Vitamin A. Death and blindness are possible side effects of those weakened by Vitamin A.

He quotes Michael Pollan of The New York Times Magazine, the aim of this audacious new advertising campaign is to impale people like me ” well-off first-worlders dubious about genetically engineered food ” on the horns of a moral dilemma ... If we dont get over our queasiness about eating genetically modified food, kids in the third world will go blind. Pushing the reader to see the extent of feeling invoked by the advertisement.

Later, he discusses the use of suicide seeds and quotes those disagreeing with use of the seeds. The person goes so far as comparing this new system to genetic serfdom due to the fact the 80% of crops in developing countries are grown using farm-saved seed.

Though Robbins, presents a viable argument about the use of GMOs and world hunger, it is easy to see that he has a narrowed view and although he does lead the reader very nicely though his thoughts and beliefs, the reader sees that there is a need for more research on a very pressing matter.

CAN GMOS HELP END WORLD HUNGER?

• In-text: (HuffPost, 2018)
• Your Bibliography: HuffPost. (2018). Can GMOs Help End World Hunger?. [online] Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-robbins/gmo-food_b_914968.html [Accessed 4 Sep. 2018].
• APPDMZ\jrwieb1. Our Commitments. Monsanto ~ Scholarship, Monsanto,
  www.monsanto.ca/ourcommitments/Pages/SavingSeeds.aspx
• This Rice Could Save a Million Kids a Year - Time
  content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,997586,00.html
• The Seeds Of Destruction
  MARIE LEAN - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-seeds-of-destruction-1070873.html

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