Summary Of William Saletan's Unhealthy Fixation

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In William Saletan’s “Unhealthy Fixation”, the truth about GMOs is discussed and explored. In his argument, Saletan effectively uses pathos, ethos, and logos to prove his beliefs regarding the labeling, applications, and safety of GMO’s. To help accomplish this, he writes on the incredible potential of GMOs (logos), speaks to their safety, and tells how GMOs can, and have, saved countless lives in third world countries (pathos), additionally, discusses the research he has put into this work (ethos). Saletan successfully uses logos in his piece by telling of the incredible benefits of GMOs. In his work, we read that “the USDA’s catalog of recently engineered plants shows plenty of worthwhile GMO options… (Including) drought-tolerant corn, virus-resistant plums, non-browning apples, potatoes with fewer natural toxins, and soybeans that produce less saturated fat.” Additionally, Saletan states that “scientists are at work on more ambitious ideas, such as high calcium carrots, antioxidant tomatoes, non-allergenic nuts, bacteria resistant oranges, water conserving wheat, …show more content…

He notes that this Project shows just one of the many incredible, potential applications of GMOs. If third world countries planted golden rice, there would be a significantly decreased rate of death in countries afflicted with vitamin A deficiency. However, golden rice is unfortunately no longer available due to the actions of Anti-GMO groups. Anti-GMO groups have inadvertently caused the blindness and/or deaths of many due to their actions against golden rice. By continuing to oppose GMOs, there can be, and has been, disastrous consequences. GMOs improve the general quality of life for many people; they decrease the rate of death and they provide people with what they need. Yet, society is still restricting the creation and use of GMOs. In his essay, Saletan showed that opposition to GMOs leads to many issues and complications, both big and