Real Text-- Biotechnology

In chapter 6 of the Real Text book, the authors discuss how to persuade with balanced arguments. Real Text provides the reader with 3 specific steps in which biotechnology writers should complete in order to achieve such balance. First, “use a moderate tone”. By using a moderate tone, a person can still show respect to the people who disagree and give everyone a right to their own opinion. Second, “present evidence that everyone respects and understands.” Using evidence that people can respect benefits the person presenting the argument because if they do not fully understand the information being presented from inappropriate terminology, that an average person can not comprehend, or data that people do not agree with, the argument will likely end in a different way than planned. Last, “provide practical solutions.” Providing practical solutions is important because the writer wants the reader to understand that it is the best and realistic option, while also demonstrating that the option may not be perfect. Using these 3 strategies effectively will better one’s chances of appealing to all readers. 

              Biotechnology is a study, in the field of biology, in which there is a use of living organisms and they are conducted through engineering, manufacturing, technology and medicine. Some applications that are preformed through biotechnology are as follows: production of drugs, hormones, and genetically altered bacteria.  Many humans have different opinions on whether this study is ethical. The chapter demonstrates how each individual would go about arguing such a sensitive subject. An issue is genetically altered food (GM) and environmentalists would certainly not agree with this because they are borrowing genes from another species. The fact of the matter is this; our population is growing at such a rapid pace and by 2020 there will be an extra 1.5 billion people, with not enough food to suffice the population. Our society needs to come together and agree on these problems. Through persuasive arguments, the problem will be carefully considered in all angles and will be better organized.