I thought that this assignment, as well as the corresponding in-class assignment, was very interesting and a learning experience for me regarding reliable sources. As a psychology major, I typically cite only peer-reviewed journal articles in my work. That is what we are taught to do, so I do not have much experience with other types of sources and I did not know how reliable they are in comparison to one another, I just knew that “journal articles were the most reliable and everything else is less reliable”. As for the three websites given for this assignment, I thought that the most reliable is the GMO article on nature.com. The author of the article has credentials. Even though the journal does not appear to be an academic one, I would say that it is more reliable than the other two sources. As for the other two sources, I think that they are about even when it comes to reliability. I think that the “say no to GMOs” website is the next most reliable source because they do use reliable references, have contact information, and they are an organization. Even though I believe they have good intent, they are definitely biased. As for the Monsanto source, I believe they are least reliable. I believe that they are even more biased because they are selling a product. They are going to market their products by highlighting or even misconstruing certain information and neglect information that is against their products.
As for genetically modified food itself, I do not have any qualms particularly, but I am somewhat fearful. Along with my general stance on previous posts, I do not have the time or resources to go out of my way to avoid certain foods. They are not going to have an instant effect on my health, but I am worried that there will be future effects and am very put off by what I have learned in documentaries such as Food Inc. I think that our government sucks in a lot of ways. There are so many things hidden and it is unsettling. I believe that foods should have better labeling. I would like foods to be labeled if they are genetically modified, mercury content (for fish), where it was imported from, etc. As a consumer that would be ideal. I can make more educated decisions of what I would be eating and I know it probably makes me sound lazy and that I should actually do my own research. No one is going to basically hand me the information by putting it on a label, but I think that it is more than simple research because so much is hidden well. I wonder why the FDA refuses to label for GMOs. It is scary to think that the reason they do not label is because they think that consumers would purchase less that is genetically modified food and only look at the monetary loss they would incur.
“GM faces unfair regulation in Europe” New Scientist 201 (2009): 5. Print.
Thomas, Pat. “Before you eat it ask: Just how ‘safe’ is it?” Ecologist 38 (2008): 21. Print.
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You are not lazy for wanting your food labeled properly, you're concerned about what goes into your body. We have so many stressors in our day to day life we shouldn't have to pile on the stress of our health. We have jobs and so does the FDA, I say make them do their jobs. They are called Food and Drug Admin for a reason. Food Inc. definitely illuminated me on what goes on behind closed doors, although I know most large corps are not entirely blameless, but basic health concerns (such as food labeling) should be met.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the GMO article is the most reliable article out of the three. The given information and supporting evidence to back up its facts would be more reliable than someone’s opinion which will obviously be considered very bias. And I also notice how we both know about GMF but continue to eat the product!
ReplyDeleteHi Chase, if wanted to buy a weed killer, I would go to Montasno’s website. Do they give the down side of fertilizers? No. They promote what they do, do. To get a more realistic view I agree you need to go somewhere else. I really wish fish was labeled for mercury! As it is, I only eat it a couple times a month (if that) because I don’t know about the mercury. It is scary; to think that public health has so little value is terrible. I believe passionately that we have the right to make a buck, but what about social responsibility? And you know these are educated people, right? Education without a moral compass is as bad as no education at all-or maybe worse. Because I know people who would love to have the opportunity to an education and because of other issues are not able to get one.
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