GMO Blog

The debate is simple. Should we pursue the advances in genetic testing and selective breeding of organisms or should we consider this a dangerous means of unnatural replication of life that was not meant to occur. This is often a sensitive subject for some and it is an argument that has been going on for quite some time now. It is important to know exactly what is going on from both sides of the argument in order to gain a clear perspective on the issue so here is a brief description of what is happening and an example from articles we were instructed to read.

GMO's or Genetically Modified Organisms are being developed today for many different reasons including food production, crop protection, environmental control and health improvements just to name a few. An example of a GMO would be Bt corn which uses a genetic pesticide to repel damaging caterpillars.

Selective breeding is by definition to use natural breeding of organisms to receive a certain product that will be beneficial to humans. An example of selective breeding that has achieved great results is the selective breeding of cows to result with a Belgium Blue cow that is twice the size of a normal cow. This is economically beneficial to beef producers who will not have to feed two individual cows for the same amount of meat from a Belgium Blue

With these methods of modifying the creatures that inhabit our earth to make life easier for us, there are some concerns that go along with these new procedures. With selective breeding, it often takes a very long time to receive a product that serves an intended purpose. The cow example described above, took nearly one hundred years to have the resulting “super cow.’ There are some problems that arise in animal welfare as well. In an article that describes the breeding changes to food production chickens, breeders have managed to cause the chickens to reach twice their adult size in one third of the time. This is very economically beneficial to the farmers but imagine, if you will, a human six year old weighing 250 pounds. This is about the equivalency to the chickens that we will eventually consume in the near future.

As far as GMO’s go, there are a few problems that also result. One is the basic debate to whether or not this is a natural process and should be left alone for nature to repeat its natural course. Another reason for worry would be the adaptations process that organisms have developed over time can become endangered if met with wrong genetic makeup genetically superior beings. Most of the reason however, is that we are uncertain of what could happen. Right now it seems as though these changes will help us for the better but there will always be the question of “What could happen to the organisms being tested and utilized if our uncertainty takes us in negative directions?”

Why Ecosystem Services Matter

Basically, this pot cast is explaining the relation between the approximated value of ecosystems and how ecosystem services are being viewed as a monetary object. Peter Kareiva, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy is the primary source for this information in which he states that cost benefit analysis and dollars are how decisions are made but there's no way that humans could estimate a specific price of ecosystem services.  He goes on to say that by the lack of concern for nature we often find ourselves and various difficult positions such as the killing of bees risking pollination or the destruction caused by Katrina which was the largely due to development on wetlands.  However, he personally states that he would prefer to have a value on nature rather than had not having one at all for this would be far to dangerous for our ecosystems. I personally think that in a way it is a distressing that we find ourselves trying to put a price on our earth instead of accepting it for what it is. But at the same time it is formidably keeping us from destroying our earth by thinking value of our world is totally absent. it would be very interesting to see what people will eventually say about he earths worth and I can only hope it allows for us to realize it is too far valuable to list.

Responce to Animal Testing Article

At the Alamagoro Primate Facility in New Mexico, older primates who've been subjected to invasive research for diseases might be in danger of being sent back to research labs as a part of a new legislature made by Congress.
I personally find the chimpanzees have already been retired should not be subjected to research regarding diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV.  I find that if they've already done their service to the medical research than they should no longer be required, against their own will of course, to be tested when other subjects can be used if not treated all. I think that the real solution here is to find a different means of testing of possible drugs upon any animal. Firstly if the animal is in danger of death or serious bodily injury, I find that testing should not be required because it violates animals right to safety and in animals right to life.  Secondly, if the animal has previously been subjected to medical testing, I believe that it is already served its purpose and should be left alone to live in peace.  Lastly, but the animal contains more sensitive nervous systems or higher life signs such as chimpanzees or ddolphins than the animal should be regarded as too important to spare it should be left alone.  I believe that this will put an end to many of the disturbances that have been involved with the medical testing on animals.

Responce to Hyponatremia Article

As an athlete I know a great deal about hydration and the rules you must follow along with it. However, there is such  thing as "over hydration and yes it can lead to death. Hyponatremia is caused when an individual consumes so much water that the kidneys cannot control its flow and becomes waterlogged. from there, the water is spread throughout the body causing body cells to swell. If swelling occurs in the brain, there is no room for expansion and can cause brain damage and even death. I was personally a little disturbed with this article because people in many parts of the world are dying of thirst or lack of clean water and here in the United States there are many cases of hyponatremia every year. I find that hyponatremia can only occur as an act of gluttony and overuse.

Recently in our class we have participated in a mock City meeting regarding liver transplants. We were each given an alternate identity and we were instructed to write a letter to our fake city explaining why we deserved the organ. Mine is as follows.

Dear City Counsel of Creblakistaniville,

As you know the city has been given the blessing of a liver that will be used for one of the selected qualifiers as determined by the council.  I am writing this letter to you in an upmost plea for the city’s help in my wife’s current medical condition. As you know the city is only in possession of one liver and can only go to one individual and my intent is to persuade you give my wife the liver for the following reasons. My wife and I have lived in Creblakistaniville for most of our lives and in that amount f time we have done quite well for ourselves. However, we firmly believe in giving back to the community that has been so god to us, by giving large amounts of charity to non-profit groups, volunteering for many public services and, of the most important signs of our admiration for the town, the payment of the new children’s wing of the hospital that was recently added. I love this town and I know that my wife loves this town in equal proportions as myself and we will do our finest to make it better.

The fact of the matter is that my wife is in dire need of a liver transplant due to complications with her diabetes and will be subject to death within the next two to five months if the transplant. I do not have to educate you on my wife’s character for she sits on two of the chairs in the city council and is actively involved in both of them. I know that she would gladly let another kind soul have the transplant but I cannot allow that to happen. I love my wife and would do anything for her. I know that some of the other individuals who are also seeking this transplant have made very poor decisions in their lives that have lead to them growing ill and in need of medical help. I implore you to allow my wife to live and in return my wife and I will do everything we can to help the city and the beautiful people who reside in it. God bless you in your decision.

Sincerely,

Cooper A. Stowers

About Me

Hello. My name is Cooper and I am a sophomore at Animas High School in Durango, Colorado. I am in my second year of high school which also happens to be how long the school has been open as well. What I will be posting from here on out will  be blogs about my school work and my progression as a student. I hope you enjoy it!