"Replacing Pesticides With Genetics"

Summary: The objective of Powell is to inform his audience about what scientists are doing to try and reduce the amount of pesticides that farmers are using on their plants. He is not advocating for whether people should or shouldn’t use pesticides, but rather on public response and the objective of scientists to genetically engineer bugs. He focuses on an area in Geneva, NY where diamondback moths constantly pray on the plants. He quotes Anthony Shelton who is an entomologist that works at Cornell University that says, “Our goal as a community is to reduce the amount of pesticides used in agriculture.” This helps establish Powell’s ethos because he is quoting a professor of high stature. Although he doesn’t state a side that he is on, he seems to air more towards the scientists and genetics just based off of all the research he has placed into the genetic side.   

Critical Reflection: The author’s audience is very wide ranged, but is more to the common people and farmers to inform them what scientists are doing with genetically engineered insects. This is evident because of the fact that he goes into so much detail about what scientists are doing with the moths. However, he does show both sides of the argument, allowing for these people to see what the pros and cons are for using genetics. The author’s tone is very matter-of-fact and doesn’t stray to his own opinions because he is informing his audience about the arguments against genetics. Due to this, the article is very informational. Powell’s purpose is to inform the audience of a possible alternative to pesticides. He achieves this through the many different interviews with farmers and scientists alike. By not bringing his opinion into the article, his audience is able to get an unbiased view of the two different sides. There aren’t really any constraints that the author has to work with besides his own personal values which could get in the way of his purpose. Besides that, he did a great job in achieving his goal to enlighten his audience.

Quotes: “In a study published in BMC Biology in July, male moths carrying the gene wiped out communities of normal moths living in small cages. Females mating with transgenic males had as many offspring as those coupling with unaltered males, but the female offspring died before being able to reproduce” (Powell, NYT).

‘“If these moths came across into an organic field inadvertently, that would not be a problem for the farmer,” said Susan Schneider, a professor who specializes in agriculture and food law at the University of Arkansas School of Law’ (Powell, NYT). 

Powell, Devin. "Replacing Pesticides With Genetics." The New York Times. The New                     York Times, 31 Aug. 2015. Web. 03 Sept. 2015.