DNA - Genetically modified food Essay Example for Free

DNA Genetically modified food Essay Virtually every crop we eat have undergone hundreds of years of genetic modification by farmers and scientist in search of desirable traits. Selective breeding and hybrid strains have contributed immeasurably to farm productivity during this time. Over the past 30 years however, genetic engineering has been revolutionized. While before, a farmer wanting to develop a frost resistant tomato would be able to breed towards one only if the necessary genes were available somewhere in tomatoes or a near relative to tomatoes, modern biological engineering techniques overcome such restrictions. Genetic traits from outside a species gene pool, in the tomatos case from an arctic fish, can be spliced into the organism to create an entirely different species, a transgenic organism with the typical traits of a tomato and frost resistance from a fish. The most widely used method of gene splicing, recombinant DNA, uses biochemical scissors called restriction enzymes to cut the strings of DNA, selecting required genes. These are then ferried by a virus or a bacterium that infects the host, smuggling the gene into the plants DNA. In this way scientists have been able to create slow ripening and seedless fruit, crops that grow in unfavourable conditions and are resistant to disease or herbicides and milk from cows given a genetically engineered growth hormone. The benefits of gene technology in terms of food production are enormous. The most common genetically engineered crops contain modifications that make the plants resistant to certain diseases and herbicides, or allow them to produce their own pesticides, thereby eliminating or reducing the need to spray. So-called Bt corn, for example, contains a gene resistant to the harmful mycotoxin fungus and herbicide producers, Monsanto have created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be unaffected by their product Roundup. The soybean farmer therefore can avoid targeting specific weeds and require just one application of a general weed-killer, reducing costs and agricultural waste run-off. Genetically modified crops are also being adapted to grow in salty, dry or frosty environments, contain edible vaccines, have a longer shelf life and be more nutritious. A group of Swiss and German scientists recently developed a strain of GM rice know as ? golden rice due to its altered colour. Containing genes that produce a unusually high amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A), this rice could be a solution to the thousands of poor children in Asia who eat little but rice and go blind or die from lack of vitamin A Public reaction to the use of recombinant DNA in genetic engineering however has been mixed. Sliding US export commodities such as genetically modified soybeans and corn have highlighted hardened public opinion and widespread resistance to biotech crops, especially in the European Union. Concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: economics, environmental hazards and human health risks. The latter two have been the subject of hot debate, both in Australia and overseas. Environmental damage from GM crops can be caused through various channels. One of the main concerns has been the possibility of gene transfer to a non-target species, that is crops engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds cross-breeding, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance to create ? superweeds. In addition, environmentalists fear that transgenic plants may proliferate rapidly, pollinating natural plants in their surroundings eliminating existing species. Further environmental suspicions include those of unintended harm to other organisms (especially non-target insects) and of the reduced effectiveness of pesticides once insects become tolerant to a crops natural pesticide. Questions have also been raised on the human impact of genetically modified organisms. Critics of recombinant DNA fear that the pathogenic, or disease-producing organisms used in some recombinant DNA experiments might develop extremely infectious forms that could cause worldwide epidemics. Likewise, the unknown effect of foreign genes introduced into GM food crops in terms of human health also presents a controversial issue. Furthermore, there is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans in order to increase their nutritional value was abandoned when it was found that the genetically engineered soybeans caused an allergic reaction in people sensitive to Brazil nuts. For these reasons, extensive testing and labelling of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Biotechnology has started to revolutionise food production, with fantastic results. With the world population of 6 billion expected to double in the next 50 years and an adequate food supply becoming a major challenge it will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

Feminist Literary Criticism and Lysistrata Essay -- Literary Analysis,

Classically, women playwrights are almost completely absent. There were virtually no women writers at all up until at least the seventeenth century. This fact originally led feminist critics to disregard the classical period. In an article titled â€Å"Classical Drag: The Greek Creation of Female Parts,† Sue Ellen Case states that because â€Å"traditional scholarship has focused on evidence related to written texts, the absence of women playwrights became central to early feminist investigations† (132). Despite this absence of female writers, feminist critics analyze the role of women in ancient Greece in other ways. Recently, feminist writers have been able to delve further into the classical period by examining female characters from the works of male playwrights. The construction of women in male literature is extremely important. Peter Barry, in his chapter on feminist literary criticism in his book Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, asserts that observing the female characters in works by men is important because it provides â€Å"role models which indicated to women, and men, what constituted acceptable version of the ‘feminine’ and legitimate feminine goals and aspirations† (122). Looking into the roles of the women within the works helps us determine the kind of role women and men occupy in relation to each other in addition to the personal characteristics of the women. This insight into the relations between men and women adds a new layer of knowledge for feminist critics. The depiction of women by women writers differs greatly from the depiction of women by male writers. Women, as represented by men, represent stereotypes of actual women. That is, â€Å"the feminist critic may assume that the images of... ...ial and cultural evidence of the role of women in ancient Greece. Despite the fact that he is indeed a man, Aristophanes does a good job capturing certain aspects of his female characters: their drive to succeed, their natural coquettishness, the general desire to end war diplomatically, and their devout servitude to the gods. Aristophanes also has a very firm grasp of the social situation of women in his time. For example, he knows where the line of rebellion would be drawn: if the husbands forced the wives into having sex, they must relent. He knows how the ultimately defer to their husbands’ judgment, particularly in political matters. Lastly, he knows that their concerns are chiefly domestic. However, he generally misunderstands or misrepresents many aspects of the female character. The feminist literary critic would be quick to point these discrepancies out.

Past and Present Native American Affairs

After examining the past of Native Americans, their wanting to have a piece of the government pie, and the present affairs under the reservations is different to the living circumstances of Native Americans. It starts with issues such as drug abuse and prevention within the tribes. The next step for them is to ensure they have enough money to support their tribes and encompasses all their needs. Finally, it is how the tribes give back to the states they decide to build casinos in. In the article, â€Å"Drug Czar Urges Tribal Leaders to Focus on Youth Drug Preventions,† posted by the US Newswire on September 6, 2000, discuses about how American Indian youth has the highest percentage of drug abuse in America at this time. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Barry R. McCaffery has promoted a campaign to prevent the drug use. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has invested in over $3 million reaching out to tweens and teens. Also, McCaffery thinks that if every parent in America along with American Indian parents would talk to their children about drugs, that it would make a huge difference. In the article, â€Å"In Shift, Interior Dept. May Allow Tribes to Build Casinos far From Reservations,† talks about the Bush-era rule â€Å"allows Indian tribe to build casinos far from the reservations, raising the possibility that new gambling resorts could be built close to New York and elsewhere around the country†. In 2008 tribes couldn’t open beyond their commuting distance, but this led to being rejected from at least 22 applications. This does not mean the casinos are approved yet though. Nelson Rose, a professor at Whittier Law School in California this there’s to much money involved. Some tribes like the Mississippi Band of Choctaws could benefit from this, since they plan for a $375 million casino/ hotel 175 miles away. It could be a benefit to others as well, considering it could bring thousands of jobs. But only five tribes have been approved for this in the 23 years Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulation Act. In article one states that American Indians and Alaskan Native children were the highest drug users amongst teens. Since then, the National Drug Policy has invested the time, effort, and money to educate parents as well as their children about drugs and alcohol. In article two they are talking about the revenue they made the state and how much they were able to put into education funds. These casinos are not being built for teens to enjoy. They are meant for adult leisure. Article two showed how much money they are placing into education for the entire state and not just for certain populations. Both articles discuss education, however article two highlights it and makes it a positive thing for the state the casino is built in. Article one is explaining us that they had to invest money for this certain problem. This is not just an American Indian or Native Alaska problem. It’s our country’s issue. All over our country we are seeing proposals for casinos that are backed by Native American tribes. The government in some states saw it as an advantage and took it, while others still battle with the idea of having a casino in their state. Casinos are the adult’s version of Disney Land and the chances of the government lowering the age to gamble is non existing. There is no relation between drug use and where the casinos are. These casinos have been built and they are continuously pouring money back into the state and keeping the taxes low and filling the necessary gaps as well as putting in extra money where we need it. Education is one of the toughest battles when it comes to funding and if these casinos are putting money into this fund to allow all children to go to school and be safe, then what is the problem? I would not change the Columbus Holiday. Columbus is one of our founding fathers and he should be appreciated for that. For if he did not come over here, where would be now? We could still be over in Europe somewhere. A few other reasons why I enjoy Columbus Day are: it’s a day off from school and it gives me an opportunity to spend time with my two little brothers and my mom. I understand what he did to the Native Americans; however like many of our other founding fathers he did what he was right for his people at that time. That is why it is called history so we know not to repeat it.

The Shaping Of Our Country - 1092 Words

Celeste Munoz U.S History I to 1876 Mr. William Stowe 28 November 2014 The shaping of our country has been impacted by several different factors, each contributing to it in their own way. Four of the major pivot points that occurred consists of: Jeffersonian democracy, Jacksonian democracy, Civil War/Reconstruction, Revolution/Constitution. However one of them happened to be the most impacting which was the Civil War and Reconstruction. The American Civil War occurred during 1861 to 1865, lasting only five years. America’s bloodiest clash resulting in the death of approximately 620,000 Americans and millions more were injured. In the spring of 1861, the north and south began to rise into conflict over issues like states’ rights. Other conflicts include federal authority, westward expansion and slavery. When Lincoln was elected president in 1860, seven states seceded from the union and they formed the confederate states. After the first shots were fired four more states joined the confederate states. Abraham’s elect ion was the rising point to long debate over the federal and state governments. The war can be viewed in many ways. One as the final violent stages in a conflict of two regions. Another as the breakdown of the political system of the Democratic Party and as the max point of several years of social reform. Or also viewed as the main chapter in America’s racial history. â€Å"The survival of the U.S as one nation was at risk, and the outcome of the warShow MoreRelatedNcoa 12 Domains of Culture Essay653 Words   |  3 Pagesthat sun, and wondered whether it was a rising sun or a setting sun. Now I know it was a rising sun.1 Throughout our lives we have been told of how our country was formed. I am here to tell you about the things the history books and teachers don’t tell you about the freemasons and there shaping of the United States of America. 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