GMOs Can Feed the World
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are changing the way nations feed their people. In the past, farmers had to worry about droughts, disease, and other hardships. Now, crops can be bred to withstand these forces. The result is an abundance of food that will feed the world. One benefit of GMOs is that crops can be strengthened. In this way, scientists can protect crops from harmful weeds and diseases. For example, wild sunflowers are found all over the United States. Each one contains a trait that could help human-grown sunflowers. For instance, a wild sunflower that grows in the desert has traits that allow it to survive on little water. Scientists can isolate this gene and transfer it to the DNA, or genetic material, of a commercial sunflower. This allows farmers to grow sunflowers even in regions that get little water. It also helps farmers in climates with four distinct seasons protect crops from dry spells. GMOs have many health-related benefits. Scientists can create foods that taste better. If healthy fruits and vegetables taste better, people are more likely to eat them, which will in turn improve their health. In addition, some GMO crops actually have greater nutritional value than their commercial counterparts. Foods can also be bred to last longer. This allows people to store their fresh produce longer and prevent a lot of waste. All these benefits can be created in a laboratory. Some critics caution that GMOs pose health risks. For instance, they blame GMOs for food allergies. Allergies are not a new phenomenon, however. Many studies have been done on GMOs, and there has never been any proof linking GMOs to health risks. Finally, GMOs provide financial benefits. With more crops available, prices decline. This saves consumers money, which allows them to buy more healthful foods. It also gives farmers more money because they have more crops to sell. Research continues every day. Soon, there will be GMO versions of other common crops. Tomatoes and potatoes, for instance, may soon be able to withstand disease and drought. Then other crops will follow. The possibilities are as endless as the benefits GMOs bring to your health.
Passage 2:
Are GMOs Really Safe?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants or other organisms whose genetic structure has been changed by scientists. Scientists make these changes by taking desirable genes from other organisms. Then they add these genes to the DNA of plants. Corn and soy are often changed this way. The purpose of this swap is to make crops stronger and more resistant to disease and parasites. Supporters believe that GMOs can also be used to produce crops that have a bigger yield. This would feed more people. Some crops can even be developed to survive droughts and hardships that would otherwise destroy them. While all of these benefits sound good, some people have a bleaker outlook. Skeptics worry about the effects of GMOs on humans. Although the U.S. government has declared that GMOs are safe, some experts suspect that they cause food allergies in children and adults. The only way to find out for sure is to conduct long-term testing. In addition to possibly causing food allergies, GMOs may also have a lower nutritional value than unmodified crops do. Until more studies are done, the public cannot know for sure. Finally, people are concerned about the increased use of pesticides on GMO crops. It is true that these crops are engineered to survive pesticides. However, this has resulted in the growth of superbugs that require even greater amounts of pesticides. GMO crops are doused with extra chemicals. Later, they line the shelves of your local supermarket or become part of processed foods. As of now, testing has not confirmed the risks associated with GMOs. Some consumers opt to purchase only non-GMO foods just to be safe. However, it is hard to tell which foods have GMOs. The United States does not require companies to label products that contain GMOs. However, any item labeled as organic and verified by the USDA does not have GMO ingredients. The field is divided on GMOs for now. Producers proclaim the benefits. Meanwhile, some scientists ask for more testing to confirm the safety of these crops. Until then, consumers will have to educate themselves about the foods they buy.
#20 What is one benefit of GMOs that BOTH authors acknowledge?
A. that genetic modifications can make crops more affordable
B. that GMO crops can be engineered to survive droughts
C. that genetic modifications can help people overcome allergies
D. that GMO crops have greater nutritional value
#21 How does the author of “Are GMOs Really Safe?” support an argument about GMOs and pesticides?
A. by stating that GMOs require increasing amounts of pesticides
B. by suggesting that GMOs can process pesticides in a healthy way
C. by claiming that pesticides damage GMO crops more than non-GMO crops
D. by explaining that organic pesticides can be used effectively on GMOs
#22 Constructed-Response (SHORT 1-3 paragraphs)
How are the viewpoints of “GMOs Can Feed the World” and “Are GMOs Really Safe?” different? Use details from BOTH passages to support your answer. Write your answer in the space provided below.
**Remember to use the RACE strategy!
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