Issue: State your issue in a clear way that indicates how this is more than a topic of thought, but a controversy with multiple perspectives and matters seeking resolution. You might state this as a question, but in any case, use specific language that expresses this issue as you are approaching it.

QUESTION

Issue: State your issue in a clear way that indicates how this is more than a topic of thought, but a controversy with multiple perspectives and matters seeking resolution. You might state this as a question, but in any case, use specific language that expresses this issue as you are approaching it.

Central claim: Express what your position is on this issue. The way you do this here is by stating a claim that responds to everything you have read and learned about your issue thus far. Yes, this claim is tentative at this point and will likely undergo some revision and refinement going forward, but give yourself a point from which your argument for your position will begin. The options are many, as you might seek to address an error you have noticed in the work of several others weighing in on the issue, or you might propose a completely new solution that you believe will have positive impacts on the issue, or something else.

Reasons: Why do you hold the position you do? What rationale do you have to make the central claim you make in this paper? In order to answer these questions, you consider and state your reasons that logically tie to your claim. Most arguments fall flat because of a lack of solid reasoning or simply a lack of enough reasoning, so be sure to have at least three reasons to back up your position, if not more. Also, it is usually a good idea to have some sense of which reasons are your strongest, as this will influence the order and arrangement of your eventual writing, so try listing your reasons within the RPP Outline according to strength (logical strength, relevancy strength, emotional strength, etc.), with the strongest first.

Evidence: What do you have to prove to your audience that your reasons are valid? All reasoning needs support in order to be convincing, fully realized, transparent, what have you, and you get this support from evidence that you incorporate and interpret for your audience. Perhaps there is a prior incident where your reasoning applies, or someone has presented similar arguments whose logic shows why your reason is valid, or there have been studies and data collected which correlates directly to your reason for making such a claim. Let us not forget the value of personal experiences, yours or another’s, which illuminates a line of reasoning for the audience in ways that they might be able to personally relate to. For each reason you list, attach at least one piece of supporting evidence you have gathered from research. Additionally, you might state another specific kind of evidence you will be looking for in further research in order to satisfy your reader of that reason.

Counterargument: As the Mapping the Issue paper revealed to you, there are numerous perspectives and approaches to your issue, and even when two positions have a lot in common, there are critical differences existing beneath their similarities. State a counterargument to your position, perhaps by doing one of the following: identify the perspective on the complete opposite spectrum of your own; select one of your reasons and see what a naysayer might present to contend or refute that logic; or examine how a naysayer would not agree to your definition of a key term at play in your issue. Clearly identify the naysayer who presents this counterargument, then state their counterargument fairly and accurately, so as not to manipulate their point in a way that is easier to combat, but in a manner that they would accept if they read it (because they might in fact read it). After you state that counterargument, name the reason that naysayer has for making that specific refutation. Then, try your hand at forming a tentative response to their counterargument.

Outline model (which may be built upon and expanded how you see fit)

• Issue
• Central claim
  • Reason one
    • Warrant (may go unstated in the paper)
      • Evidence (at least one piece of evidence required per reason)
      • Evidence (another supporting material for this reason)
      • Developing evidence (supporting material you are still inquiring into)
  • Reason two
    • Warrant (may go unstated in the paper)
      • Evidence (at least one piece of evidence required per reason)
      • Evidence (another supporting material for this reason)
      • Developing evidence (supporting material you are still inquiring into)
  • Reason three
    • Warrant (may go unstated in the paper)
      • Evidence (at least one piece of evidence required per reason)
      • Evidence (another supporting material for this reason)
      • Developing evidence (supporting material you are still inquiring into)
  • And so on with reasons …
• Naysayer
  • Counterargument
    • Concessions you can make to naysayer
      • Tentative response to naysayer

ANSWER

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Agriculture: Addressing Food Security and Environmental Challenges

Introduction

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have sparked a controversial debate in agriculture, with diverse perspectives and concerns seeking resolution. This essay argues that GMOs can potentially address global food security and environmental challenges effectively. GMOs offer promising solutions by increasing crop yield and food production, reducing environmental impact, and improving nutritional value. 

Central Claim

GMOs have the potential to address global food security and environmental challenges more effectively than traditional agricultural practices.

Reason 1: Increased Crop Yield and Food Production

One of the key advantages of GMOs is their ability to enhance crop productivity. Through the incorporation of traits such as pest resistance and drought tolerance, GMOs enable farmers to produce higher yields of food on limited agricultural land. This increased food production has the potential to alleviate hunger and food scarcity worldwide. 

Evidence

A meta-analysis by Klümper and Qaim (2014) demonstrated that GMO technology increased crop yields by an average of 22% and reduced pesticide use by 37%. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) also reported that biotech crops contributed to a global food production increase of 195 million tons between 1996 and 2019.

Developing Evidence

Further research is required to investigate the long-term effects of GMOs on soil health and biodiversity, ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices.

Reason 2: Reduced Environmental Impact

GMOs offer the potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture by minimizing the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides. Genetically modified crops can be engineered to possess resistance against pests and diseases, reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This reduction in chemical usage can mitigate the negative environmental consequences associated with conventional agricultural practices.

Evidence

Research by Brookes and Barfoot (2018) indicated that the adoption of genetically modified insect-resistant cotton and maize resulted in a substantial decrease in pesticide use, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with pesticide application. Moreover, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2016) reported that genetically engineered crops have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, and water usage.

Developing Evidence

Additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of GMOs on non-target organisms and potential gene flow to wild relatives, ensuring that ecological balance is maintained.

Reason 3: Improved Nutritional Value and Food Quality

GMOs can be tailored to enhance the nutritional content of crops, addressing malnutrition and improving overall food quality. By introducing specific genes, essential vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds can be incorporated into crops, providing substantial health benefits to consumers.

Evidence

Numerous studies have demonstrated successful biofortification of staple crops through genetic modification. For instance, golden rice, a genetically modified variety, was developed to address vitamin A deficiency, a major cause of blindness in developing countries.

Developing Evidence

Further research is necessary to ensure genetically modified crops’ long-term safety and efficacy in improving nutritional value.

Naysayer

Counterargument: Some opponents argue that GMOs’ long-term environmental and health risks outweigh their potential benefits. They express concerns about the unintended effects on biodiversity, gene flow to wild relatives, and the potential for allergenicity or unknown health consequences in humans.

Tentative Response: While acknowledging these concerns, it is essential to note that extensive scientific research and regulatory frameworks are in place to assess GMOs’ safety and environmental impact. Rigorous testing and evaluation processes help ensure the development and deployment of genetically modified crops that are safe for consumption and the environment. Ongoing research aims to address these concerns and refine the technology for even greater effectiveness and safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture offers significant potential to address global food security and environmental challenges. By increasing crop yield and food production, reducing environmental impact, and improving nutritional value, GMOs are a viable solution to sustainably feeding the growing global population. However, continued research and specific regulation are necessary to maximize the benefits and minimize potential risks associated with GMOs, ensuring their safe and responsible implementation.

References

Klümper, W., & Qaim, M. (2014). A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops. PloS One, 9(11), e111629. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4218791/ 

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). (2020). ISAAA Brief 54-2019: Executive Summary – Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2019. Retrieved from https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/54/executivesummary/default.asp

Brookes, G., & Barfoot, P. (2018). Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996–2016: Impacts on pesticide use and carbon emissions. GM Crops & Food, 9(2), 79-117. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29883251/ 

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects. The National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23395/genetically-engineered-crops-experiences-and-prospects