Sunny Simounet

Professor Grefski
ENGL 102*05
25 February 2017

Dr. Hayes Journal

Whats Motivating Hayes, is a short feature film following the progressive work of
Tyron Hayes, a UC Berkeley biologist, as he studies the harmful effects of a widely used
herbicide, Atrazine, on frogs. Dr. Hayes discovered that frogs exposed to Atrazine were faced
with impaired reproductive organs, weakened immune function, and were linked to higher rates
of disease. Up to as much as 80 million pounds of Atrazine is used annually in the United States,
and the side effects are continually worsening each day.
The target audience of this video is citizens of the United States, in particular, male
citizens. Male citizens of the United States are targeted by this video, because the effects of the
herbicide Atrazine on male frogs, is a problem which many males in the United States could one
day soon be facing. It has been scientifically proven that prolonged exposure to Atrazine causes
the male sex to develop improperly. If males in the United States are exposed to large quantities
of Atrazine as well, the effects could be detrimental to the population and reproductive ability of
men all across the country.
We should care about Dr. Hayes work because it directly affects all of our lives, whether
that be immediately, or in the future. Many of the chemicals that we create, and put into the
environment, interfere with important biological processes. It is essential to understand the
negative side effects when using such chemicals, so that we can further prevent any harm to
animals, humans, and all habitats. If we do not take notice to the health issues the frog species
face now, health problems will only increase for the human race in the near future.
A corporation by the name of Syngenta asked Dr. Hayes to continuously do more
research for them, yet it was the same experiment to be conducted over and over. By offering a
grand sum of money to Hayes, Syngenta hoped he would stick to their plan and keep the
malpractices of their company under wraps. Once Hayes refused Syngentas proposal, they set
out to discredit his findings and question his motives.
If I were in Hayes position with Syngenta, I would do the exact same as him. No amount
of money is as important as preserving our environment and species. The work that Hayes does
is very important for all humans, so I as well would continue to promote my cause, and never
stop fighting to garner the attention of the country and environmental agencies. I would continue
to research, educate others about my findings, and disregard Syngenta, as I know I would be
doing what is best for the future of our country and human race.