Sedaris Response.

While reading the passage "A plague of tics" by David Sedaris I couldn't help but feel connected to the concept of the passage.  I know all to well what this child in the story is going through.  Maybe not to the extreme of repetitive actions like licking objects or taking over and hour to walk home from school because of one tic or another, but other are very similar to what experienced as a child.  Because I grew up dealing with similar experiences, as well as, watching my little brother go through it, I think that I can give a different perspective on the subject.

Throughout the passage I couldn't help but feel saddened by the fact that his parents and teachers were treating him as if he had a behavioral problem.  In the passage the adult figures aren't doing anything to help the child with his problem and just made jokes about it.  This aspect of the passage aggravated me.  Instead of trying to figure out how to help their son his parents just pushed it aside and let him deal with it himself.  I know this is a story but for a child to have tics and not know why or what they are is a little terrifying.  Just the small act of explaining what may be happening can help.

Also, I found it very interesting how the child explains the impulses for doing these actions.  For example, when he talks about rolling his eyes to feel a split second of pain.  I didn't realize this before reading this passage but thinking back now, I did the same thing when I was younger.  The feeling of not being able to relax until you complete the tic and the satisfaction of the feeling the action is described accurately.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this passage and want to learn as much as I can about the subject.

Research Topic

After starting my research process I have decided to go with the topic of genetically modified foods and why people react the way they do towards them.  This topic is one that is very controversial. Over the past few years debates on the topic of genetically modified foods has increased. There are many opposing views on the subject, but after some preliminary research I have found where I stand on the topic.  Genetically modified foods are becoming a great assets to the agricultural world and can have a positive effect in many different areas.

From the research that I have conducted to so, I have found that genetically modified foods have many advantages.  Genetically modified foods can help create more crops that will help feed countries in poverty, effect the economy in a positive way and are created to allow crops to grow without the disturbance of bugs.  I have also found information about the safety precautions that are being taken to help prevent any health hazards.  Although I have found a lot of useful information there are still some areas that I would like to do more research on.  For example, I would like to find out more information from the opposing side.  By understanding how they feel about genetically modified foods it may help me to better explain my point of view. Those who oppose genetically modified foods are concerned about the health effects that these foods could have on own bodies.  Because we do not know a lot of the long term effects people think that altering foods is a bad idea.  Another reason for people to oppose is that some think that by planting genetically modified crops we will start to erase naturally grown crops. Also, I would like to find our more information about specific crops that are being altered and the research being done about the health risks. 

Some of my sources so far are from the Annual Review of Anthropology, Environmental Health Perspectives, and various books about genetically modified foods, as well as, food and culture.  I plan to continue my research to help me finalize my stand on genetically modified foods.