Go Green!!
Bryant Coleman
Improving the environment and the life of the different species that inhibit it is a great task. Scientist for centuries and some of recent decades have wrecked their brains trying to achieve a system that would solve some of the Earths environmental problems. Currently, the environment that we live in is undergoing more exploitation of its natural resources than it can replenish them. This effects not only the Earth but the organisms that it provides shelter for. Ranging from bacteria to plants to animals to humans.
A brand new technology recently developed gives its attempt to solve some of the problems and preserve the environment simultaneously. Biotechnology and genetic modification has given birth to a whole new genre of science. GMO’s or Genetically Modified Organisms has suggested some of lives most mysterious mysteries like world hunger and the lethal HIV virus. At the same time it has posed society with some of its most difficult questions, like what are some of the long-term effects of its application to the environment? And will having genetically modified organisms be justified in terms of ethics.
Sometimes curing some of societies ills warrants minimal ethics especially when fighting epidemics of a deadly virus like HIV and crisis like world famine. The HIV virus is popularly transmitted through sexual intercourse. It kills hundreds maybe even thousands annually. Genetically modified bacteria may assist doctors in defeating the virus. Through the releasing of protein CD-4 the HIV virus is not able to cling on to blood cells and enter the body’s blood stream. Researchers believe that by pre-application of a genetically modified version of the virus, women can secrete the protein and block the virus from entering the body. Although the research is young in idea the hope equals a future where HIV can be prevented, preventing another deadly epidemic in AIDS.
Famine in the world consumes many developing countries and often results can be as tragic as death. Genetically modified organisms may prove to end that problem as well. Some scientist have conclude that Earths population will out grow its ability to provide food for everyone in it. Pest, disease and herbicide-resistant crops are some of the leading topics in defeating that idea. A website for scientific researchers suggest that genetically modified rice can provide large amounts of vitamin-A, which is essential in human nutrition. It adds that drought resistant crops could cause crops to “ flourish in poor conditions and stave off world hunger (http://www.newscientist.com/) ”. In helping the effort crops that produce their own pesticides and herbicides minimize chemical pollution to the Earths soil.
On the other side of the spectrum those who oppose the idea of genetically modified organisms such as the vitamin-A rice have many questions that need to be answered before they accept the concept. Therefore ethics comes into play. Although many U.S product already contain GMO’s many are still skeptical as to the effects it will have on future generations. Others argue that splicing the genes of a cow with the genes of a rice crop may damage the integrity of organic foods. A report on genetically modified organisms describes such foods as “Frankenstein foods”. It also explains that GMO’s may have “unforeseen” health effects on those who consume them because some GMO’s can produce allergens and toxic proteins. More challenge whether it will pollute the environment or give way to pesticide-resistant pests. The threat of having pest that are resistant to pesticides could destroy crops, drive farmers out of work and weaken a strong food market.
The creation of GMO’s is without a doubt a scientific phenomenon. The hope it brings for the future makes it attractive not only to scientist but to farmers, those who suffer from famine and the common person as well. The end of HIV and world hunger makes the topic complicated and controversial. With people consuming so much of the Earths resources, preserving the Earths resources has become as equally complicated and controversial. Insecticides and pesticides contaminate the soil but reducing the rate of contamination provides middle ground for the advocates and opposition of GMO’s. The future of GMO’s is unknown but it promises to advance and attempt to benefit society.
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/gm-food
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/15/health/15FOOD.html?oref=login
Bryant Coleman
Improving the environment and the life of the different species that inhibit it is a great task. Scientist for centuries and some of recent decades have wrecked their brains trying to achieve a system that would solve some of the Earths environmental problems. Currently, the environment that we live in is undergoing more exploitation of its natural resources than it can replenish them. This effects not only the Earth but the organisms that it provides shelter for. Ranging from bacteria to plants to animals to humans.
A brand new technology recently developed gives its attempt to solve some of the problems and preserve the environment simultaneously. Biotechnology and genetic modification has given birth to a whole new genre of science. GMO’s or Genetically Modified Organisms has suggested some of lives most mysterious mysteries like world hunger and the lethal HIV virus. At the same time it has posed society with some of its most difficult questions, like what are some of the long-term effects of its application to the environment? And will having genetically modified organisms be justified in terms of ethics.
Sometimes curing some of societies ills warrants minimal ethics especially when fighting epidemics of a deadly virus like HIV and crisis like world famine. The HIV virus is popularly transmitted through sexual intercourse. It kills hundreds maybe even thousands annually. Genetically modified bacteria may assist doctors in defeating the virus. Through the releasing of protein CD-4 the HIV virus is not able to cling on to blood cells and enter the body’s blood stream. Researchers believe that by pre-application of a genetically modified version of the virus, women can secrete the protein and block the virus from entering the body. Although the research is young in idea the hope equals a future where HIV can be prevented, preventing another deadly epidemic in AIDS.
Famine in the world consumes many developing countries and often results can be as tragic as death. Genetically modified organisms may prove to end that problem as well. Some scientist have conclude that Earths population will out grow its ability to provide food for everyone in it. Pest, disease and herbicide-resistant crops are some of the leading topics in defeating that idea. A website for scientific researchers suggest that genetically modified rice can provide large amounts of vitamin-A, which is essential in human nutrition. It adds that drought resistant crops could cause crops to “ flourish in poor conditions and stave off world hunger (http://www.newscientist.com/) ”. In helping the effort crops that produce their own pesticides and herbicides minimize chemical pollution to the Earths soil.
On the other side of the spectrum those who oppose the idea of genetically modified organisms such as the vitamin-A rice have many questions that need to be answered before they accept the concept. Therefore ethics comes into play. Although many U.S product already contain GMO’s many are still skeptical as to the effects it will have on future generations. Others argue that splicing the genes of a cow with the genes of a rice crop may damage the integrity of organic foods. A report on genetically modified organisms describes such foods as “Frankenstein foods”. It also explains that GMO’s may have “unforeseen” health effects on those who consume them because some GMO’s can produce allergens and toxic proteins. More challenge whether it will pollute the environment or give way to pesticide-resistant pests. The threat of having pest that are resistant to pesticides could destroy crops, drive farmers out of work and weaken a strong food market.
The creation of GMO’s is without a doubt a scientific phenomenon. The hope it brings for the future makes it attractive not only to scientist but to farmers, those who suffer from famine and the common person as well. The end of HIV and world hunger makes the topic complicated and controversial. With people consuming so much of the Earths resources, preserving the Earths resources has become as equally complicated and controversial. Insecticides and pesticides contaminate the soil but reducing the rate of contamination provides middle ground for the advocates and opposition of GMO’s. The future of GMO’s is unknown but it promises to advance and attempt to benefit society.
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/gm-food
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/15/health/15FOOD.html?oref=login
-supa-
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