GM crops Essay Example for Free

GM crops Essay For thousands of years farmers have used a process of selection and cross breeding to improve the quality of our crops. The problem with GM crops is that there is little known about what effect they will have in 20 years’ time. The genetic structure of any living organism is complex and GM crop tests focus on short-term effects. Not all the effects of introducing a foreign gene into the intricate genetic structure of an organism are tested. Will the pests that a crop was created to resist eventually become resistant to this crop? GM crops may also pose a health risk to native animals that eat them. The animals may be poisoned by the built-in pesticides. Tests in the U. S. showed that 44% of caterpillars of the monarch butterfly died when fed large amounts of pollen from GM corn. Very little scientific information exists about the risk of GM food on human health. One major report by Dr. Arpad Pusztai, explains how GM foods could trigger new allergies and contain toxins that may be harmful. Another concern is disease. Since some crops are modified using the DNA from viruses and bacteria, will we see new diseases emerge? What about the GM crops that have antibiotic-resistant marker genes? Marker genes are used by scientists to determine whether their genetic modification of a plant was successful. Will these antibiotic-resistant genes be transferred to microorganisms that cause disease? We already have a problem with ineffective antibiotics. How can we develop new drugs to fight these new bugs? Then there is always the possibility that we may not be able to destroy GM crops once they spread into the environment. Proponents of GM crops claim that advantages may be many, such as: Improved storage and nutritional quality Pest and disease resistance Selective herbicide tolerance Tolerance of water, temperature and saline extremes Improved animal welfare Higher yields and quality Cross-pollination is a concern for both GM crops and conventional breeding, especially with the more serious weeds that are closely related to the crops. With careful management this may be avoided. They are an ever-increasing problem and genetic engineering promises to stop it. But will genes from GM plants spread to other plants, creating superweeds and superbugs we won’t be able to control? When looking at the environmental impacts of grass- and grain-fed beef, there is a 500% increase in greenhouse gas emissions for each pound of beef produced from grass-fed compared to grain-fed cattle. Uncontrolled nitrogen and phosphate release to the environment, 35% more water use, and 30% more land use for grass-fed cattle compared to grain-fed increases the environmental impact of strictly grass feeding. Cholesterol content does not differ between grass- or grain-fed beef. Today, there is an estimated two-thirds of all our products in supermarkets contain genetically engineered ingredients, including; tortilla chips, drink mixes, taco shells, veggie burgers, muffin mix, and baby formulas. But only one-third of Americans are aware that their food contain genetically engineered ingredients, despite the findings of surveys that 85 to 90% of consumers want clear labeling of all genetically engineered foods. Because labeling is not yet required by government regulations, nor practiced by biotech companies, there is absolutely no way for consumers to know what it is that they are eating. The public has not been educated of the inadequacy of genetically modified ingredients in their diets and the possible risks that these foods may entail. The credibility of these geneticists is also questionable because almost all established molecular geneticists have some industrial ties limiting what they can research on, particularly with regard to safety. There is no way of knowing the overall, long-term effects of genetically engineered foods on human health. This unpredictability appears to be causing the most controversy over genetically modified foods, as there is insufficient evidence and need for further research. The effect of the insertion on the biochemistry of the host organism is unknown. The effect of the genetically engineered organism on the environment is unknown. The effect of eating genetically engineered foods is unknown. There is no basis for meaningful risk assessment. There is no recovery plan in case of disaster. It is not even clear, who, if anyone will be legally liable for the negative consequences. There are no consequences among scientists on the safety or on the risks associated with genetic engineering in agriculture. The international community is deeply divided on the issue. In addition to these, genetically engineered foods may cause the removal of important food elements. For example, genetic engineers may intentionally remove or inactivate a substance they consider undesirable in a food, which may have unknown but crucial qualities, such as cancer-inhibiting abilities. Examples such as this are perhaps especially frightening because of the potential to find cures to some of the illnesses and diseases that have already laid claim to many lives. Failure to do further research in this case would be a shame, as it could lead to an elimination of possible breakthroughs in medicine and health. The current state of biotechnology must be fixed because every living organism is affected by it because everything is composed of genes. If the food being consumed contains products of genetic modification, the public is at risk to the unpredictable effects on their own physiology and biochemistry-effects that may not be reversible. Not only could this cause problems in their own lives presently, but it could also affect future generations, in ways that are unforeseen yet preventable. Moreover there is not enough understanding of the principles of genetic engineering to categorize those genetic modifications that may pose a risk and those that may not because genes appear to react in diverse ways when spliced with other genes. Genes are a part of an extremely complex and interconnected network and are constantly reacting to their environment. Further research must be enacted, and biotech companies and the government must do their moral/ethical duty to inform the public, because ultimately, they are the ones making the decisions.

Fire Safety Essay -- essays research papers

Fire Safety Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After a recent fire at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ killed three students who did not respond to what they thought was a false alarm, officials at Oswego State University are being especially careful when it comes to the issue of fire safety. This semester there is a new policy regarding the confiscation of items considered being hazardous. The policy states that any items that are found and have the potential to cause a fire, such as candles, incense, and certain appliances like microwaves, and sandwich makers, will be confiscated and not returned to the students they were taken from. Under the old policy students were able to get the items back at the end of the year. Around 200 candles were taken from students in Onondaga Hall alone last year.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the Oswego Fire Department, the dorms are built compartmentalized, which means that if the door to a room in which there is a fire is shut, the fire will be somewhat contained. This procedure will help the fire from spreading rapidly. The doors to all rooms are fire resistant. Although these safety features help increase students' chances of survival in the case of a tragedy, they cannot be relied on as the only life-saving precaution. In order to guarantee everyone's safety, students need to be aware of their own roles in regard to fire safety regulations. Smoking, possession of candles, and incense are serious causes of fires and students need to obey the rules.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another hazardous practice that most students living in dorm rooms need to pay attention for is plugging several cords into one multi-outlet that allows several cords to be plugged into at once. Modifying this practice will heavily decrease the chances of a fire occurring as a result.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the event of a real fire, the most important thing students can do is to keep the exit doors to stairways and escape routes closed. Although many students believe that keeping the doors open will help others escape, is the worst thing they can do, because it helps the fire spread where if you close the fire-resistant door will help contain it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1998 there five occurrences in which a student pulled the fire alarm as a prank. Students should turn in anyone who, to their knowl... ... using a fire extinguisher. When the alarm is sounded students should put shoes and appropriate clothing and evacuate the building. Then close all windows, check room door, if it is hot call #5555 and tell public safety that you are trapped and cannot leave your room. Another main point is to not use the elevators. Vacate the building using the safest route. Then remain outside until told otherwise.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I understand that I broke the law and broke the Oswego laws of fire safety and I could have been punished much more severe, and I appreciate your lenience towards my actions. When I talked to Mr. Henderson he told me that the rules are in my student handbook and I should read them. So, indeed I did and learned the laws of fire safety. I have learned the laws and how important they are and I will abide and go along with the rules and regulations of Oswego. I have learned my lesson of fire safety and have come to realize how important it is to follow rules with a school the size of Oswego. I have learned my lesson and will do my best to set an example for my fellow students. I am giving my final apology and thank you for guiding me in the right direction.

My first fight

I was a ferocious lion. I lost my temper uncontrollably. Nathan was bleeding incessantly from his nose. Blood imputed on my right knee and my left hand. The entire playground stood motionless. I could perceive each and every person looking at me with sheer admiration. They gazed at me like I was a lion and Nathan was a gazelle, regardless of Nathan being virtually twice my stature. I can still remember the events of my first fight as if they took place yesterday. I was pushed in to taking part in such an abhorrent incident on the first day of primary school during my first six months in the country. My uncle revealed to me that the reason that I had not begun school immediately was because my family arrived to the country halfway through the academic year. My family and I had just started to settle down in the country, adapting to the weather and the environment when my parents wounded me with the news that they had found me a school to grace with my presence. Endeavouring to learn a new language was demanding enough, let alone new children, teachers and books all of whom spoke a different language. The majority of the children in my class had all attended the nursery and infants before entering primary school. Therefore, I did not share, or relate to the experiences they shared together, like playing with the sand building castles, competing in various skipping games, riding on bicycles, drinking milk in the afternoons and having much fun with the paint. As a result, I felt disconcerted by so many questions rushing through my head. Was I going to be accepted into one of or any of these groups of eight year olds? Was I going to be the only one without a partner when doing paired work? Was I going to be the only one sitting unaccompanied in the dining hall? Unfortunately, the events that took place aggravated me more than I expected. On the first day when the teacher was introducing me to the class, I felt so unbefitting and mortified when she publicized I had just arrived from another country. There was that split-second when some of the children looked at me like I was an outsider, an alien. Voices were whispering from each corner of the room â€Å"who is he?† I felt isolated, remote, and would never have contemplated that after two days their thoughts would be on the contrary. After being introduced to the class by my teacher, Ms fielding introduced me to Carl, who would accompany me for the day. She then seated the pair of us on a table with two other children Nathan and David. It was time for literacy hour and everyone had to write about what they accomplished over the half-term break. As my skills were not to the standard of the other children, I decided to have a peak at what the others were writing about. To my amazement, nobody actually seemed to be doing any work apart from Carl, who later spent the majority of the morning session at the toilet. Meanwhile, David decided to smell a mixture of pens, which to this day I think is very peculiar. Nathan had written down the title â€Å"My First Fight†, but then started to doodle on a spotless new table. David brought his sniffing to a standstill and began a conversation with Nathan about football. The rest of the class were having extremely noisy conversations, in contempt of the teacher's numerous shrieks to bring the noise to an end. It seemed that she had absolutely no control over people a third of her age. Nevertheless, there was one person who had an immense effect on the class, Mrs Fassal, the deputy-head teacher. The second she walked in the class was so quiet a pin drop could be heard. As she walked in she had a quick glance around the classroom and she became aware of the vandalising offence Nathan had committed. She bellowed at our table asking â€Å"Who did it?† There was a slight pause. The whole class was listening as if they were an audience to a verdict. Mrs Fassal shouted again, â€Å"Who did it?† â€Å"The new boy did it Mrs Fassal†, Nathan alleged. â€Å"Yeah, the new boy did it Mrs Fassal†. David accused. â€Å"And you Carl, did you see anything?† â€Å"No Miss, I was at the toilet† Carl replied. I felt trapped like a wild animal in a cage big enough only for a mouse. I was so infuriated with Nathan's spitefulness, blaming me for his relentless vandalising acts. Nonetheless, I had a feeling that soon, very soon, Nathan would pay for his horrendous accusations. Mrs Fassal would not listen to any of my cries for help. However, she kept me back at morning break and yelled at me so loud, Carl later said he heard her in a playground full of screaming children. After morning break, I remained with Mrs Fassal until lunchtime, but I was sanctioned to have my lunch break. As Carl was my escort for the day, he invited me to play a game of football with him and his friends. Nevertheless, some of Carl's acquaintances particularly Nathan, seemed uptight on the subject of allowing me to engage in recreation. I was not perturbed in the slightest way, even so Carl managed to persuade them for me to join the game. During the first five minutes of the game, I did not touch the ball, instead I decided to see how everyone played. It emerged that Nathan was physically the biggest in comparison to the other boys and was using this to his advantage. I noticed that all Nathan was doing was jostling anyone that came near him, or whenever he wanted the ball. None of the players seemed to confront Nathan or show any sign of discomfort. Instead, they gave out the impression they were frightened Nathan would hurt them if they showed any sign of discomposure. Throughout my observation of the game, unexpectedly the ball arrived at my feet. Nathan was scampering towards me. We all knew what he was out to do. He had that look on his face like a tiger just about to take down his prey. Passing the ball was not an option, it was a game of knockouts, and it was everyman for himself. There were two options available to me, either to be clamped down and fall to the ground, or move out the way as soon as he lunged at me. I felt like a gazelle being run at by a lion. It was a split-second decision, so I decided to kick the ball to the left and spin around to the right as soon as he lunged at me. He fell to the ground as if he had been shot in the back. The entire playground stood in total and complete amazement. Nathan was a raging bull. He went on his knees and tilted his head up with a fuming look, as though he was about to eradicate someone. I warned him and said â€Å"No fighting, fighting no good† however I knew he was going to take no notice. He roared like a lion and charged at me like a rampant bull. As Nathan tried to rugby tackle me I seized him in a headlock and kneed him in the face continuously. Fortunately, for Nathan we were detached by Mr Chiriste, the school keeper. All the anger Nathan had caused me earlier, all the fury, all the upset, in addition to me being yelled at until I nearly cried was released in those few seconds. Thankfully I did not get into a great deal of trouble despite the fact I caused Nathan to bleed. The majority of the children in the playground backed me up by saying Nathan started the fight and I fought in self-defence. The chance of me losing my temper was as likely as Mike Tyson not losing his after being slapped in the face. Even at the tender age of eight, I never lost my temper unless exceedingly provoked. It is almost impossible to imagine what it takes for such a tranquil eight year old to reach that point of anger. On that particular Wednesday, that level of anger was caused by Nathan Tyler, and he paid the price for his actions. Looking back on my first fight, I think it is quite comical why I became so discoloured over such a minor incident. If I was in Nathan's situation I would have almost certainly preferred to blame the new boy, rather than face a monster like Mrs Fassal. Nevertheless, the thought of eight year olds making each other bleed is quite frightening.

Eating Disorders A Well Known Secret - 817 Words

Anorexia Nervosa: A Well-Known Secret In America today, eating disorders are highly recognized amongst the general public. From the numerous after school specials to the headlines on various gossip magazines accompanied by underweight starlets, the issues of eating disorders is a hard one to ignore. The documentary I chose to watch is one called Dying to Be Thin directed and produced by Larkin McPhee. This compelling picture focuses on eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia in relation to teenage girls and young women in the United States. Before watching the film I knew a fair amount about eating disorders from things I was exposed to on TV but nothing too in depth. I knew that this was a disease that mainly affected young women but wrongly assumed that it only affected young, upper class, white females. I also knew that this disease is something that could be overcome but was unsure of the process and the long term effects. Despite my prior knowledge I still had a lot of questions regarding the topic. Although it is common knowledge that many young girl’s desires for â€Å"ideal† body type is influenced by the media’s overexposure and glamorization of extremely thin models, actresses, and celebrities but are there any other factors that may impact this? Could this be a nature vs nurture issue? If we are all exposed to the same media coverage of this unrealistic physical expectation of women why do some girls develop eating disorders and others do not? The documentaryShow MoreRelated Eating Disorders Essay746 Words   |  3 PagesAn eating disorder is an extreme expression of emotion, distress, or inner problems. An eating disorder can be compared to drug use or self mutilation as a way to relieve pain or stress. Food or the denial of food becomes the drug of choice and is used to numb painful feelings. 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There is a frightening lack of treatment because guy’s hardships are ignored and even overshadowed by women’s struggles. Males also go through the harmful effects and risks that come with the efforts they endure to change their body image, steroids for example, as well as denying that they have problems or concerns with theirRead MoreThe Male Struggle with Body Im age1632 Words   |  7 Pagesexpectations of society. Males struggle with all kinds of eating and body disorders just as females do and the expectations pushed on them by the media, women, and even other guys. There is a frightening lack in treatment because guy’s hardships are ignored and even overshadowed by women’s struggles. 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