Annotated Bibliography

Gloria Ho

Professor Breech

English 120 L13

18 December 2014

Annotated Bibliography

Ackerman, Jennifer. “Food: How Altered?.” National Geographics. May 2002. Web. 9 Nov.

2014.

This article examines the questions of what GMOs are, who they affect, and what the possible benefits and risks are. As of 2002, this article suggests that there were still many unknown factors to GMOs despite people having studied gene alteration in plants for millennia. This article inspired me to explore the discoveries scientists have made on the effects of GMOs and whether or not the [potential] benefits of GMOs outweigh the risks.

Grady, Denise. “In Girl’s Last Hope, Altered Immune Cells Beat Leukemia.”New York Times.

The New York Times, 9 Dec. 2012. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

This article reveals the story of a six-year-old girl who survived leukemia thanks to an experimental treatment that involved a genetically modified version of the AIDS virus  being placed into her body to fight off cancer cells. This helps me support the basis of my thesis to the potential benefits of GMOs.

Okorie N, Patricia, Ademowo G. Olusegun, John M. Marshall, and Onoja M. Akpa. “Perceptions  

and recommendations by scientists for a potential release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Nigeria.” Malaria Journal. 13.(2014): 154. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

This study explores the idea of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) in Africa in order to prevent the spread of diseases such as malaria. This article has led me to focus on the potential benefits of genetically modified animals and what it could mean for the human species in the long term.

Parker, Laura. “The GMO Labeling is Heating Up-- Here’s Why.” National Geographics. 11

Jan. 2014. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

This article discusses the domino effect caused by the change in labeling of the most popular cereal in the U.S, Cheerios, to no GMOs. Other popular food brands have changed or are working on changing to GMO-free products or menus. This inspired my research topic and my examination into whether or not this sudden trend of GMO-free foods is simply a marketing tool and if the risks of GMOs are truly significant enough to cause this rage.

Voosen, Paul. “Can Genetic Engineering Save the Florida Orange?.” National Geographic. 14

Sep. 2014. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.

This article discusses the event of a widespread disease carried by an invasive species that has been infecting more than three fourths of the citrus trees in Florida. Due to desperation, farmers and companies have been growing GM oranges that resist the disease; however, concern lies in whether or not consumers will drink GM orange juice. This displays an important argument that supports my thesis. It is also evidence of this negative connotation that the label “Genetically Modified” creates and the importance of such labeling.