Genetically Modified (GM): Pros and Cons

Genetically Modified (GM): Pros and Cons Food is a vital source for the survival of mankind. The current global food crisis has become too significant a problem that we cannot avoid this issue any further. Several solutions are made to salvage the situation like educating the nations on eating habits, population control and providing food and financial aid to poor countries that face hunger and famine. However, enforcing birth control and changing eating habits is possible but difficult to change the mindset of billions of people within the near future, what we need is an immediate response to tackle this exponentially increasing problem. The most efficient solution to solve the global food shortage issue might be the reliance on science and technology, the growth and consumption of genetically-modified (GM) food. Despite many controversies regarding the use of GM food, it could be the best answer to handle this global food shortage. In this is article, the pros and cons of GM food will be evaluated along with reference fro m two developing countries China and Philippines which will describe their use and attitude to GM foods. The creation of GM food can play a rather significant role in solving the problem of food shortage worldwide. GM food are produced quicker and an additional advantage of GM food to food that are grown naturally is with the help of genitical enhancement, certain food are manufactured to grow more nutritiously than when produced naturally, for example, golden rice genetically developed to provide Vitamin A will help reduce Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) commonly contracted in developing countries as a result of malnutrition (Curtis; McCluskey; Wahl, 2004). Another example that shows a plus point to the suppor of GM food is drought-resistant crops. They are created to allow crop yield without being too sensitively affected by erratic climate changes. This means that crops can still be grown and harvested to feed people even when rain doesnt come. Kenya, for example, has been experiencing drought for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to the lack of rain, the unpredictability as to when rain will come causes confusing and inefficient planting and hence, poor harvesting. With the use of genetically enhanced drought-resistant crops, they will not face problems like poor harvest. (Integrated Regional Information Networks, 2009). Furthermore, since GM crops are produced more quickly than naturally grown crops, crop yield will increase significantly which benefits farmers and most importantly, reduce the problem of food shortage. However, there is an argument that contradicts the point in GM crops helping the increase of crop yield. It is asserted by Mexican Research Scientist, Dr. Antonio Serratos (2008) that production of GM food is unpredictable resulting in the evolution of a mutated version of the actual species. The unpredictability also questions the production of GM crops being more efficient than traditonal methods. As refered from the example before regarding the creation of drought-resistant crops, the essence of drought-resistant can also be transfered to weeds. Hence, evolving weeds into drought resistant weeds. This will then result in an increased use of fertilisers or even fertilisers of higher potencies to get rid of the GM weeds which instead do more harm to the ecosystem than by traditional breeding. Therefore, an increased in enhanced weed could also lead to a reduction in crop yield. On the other hand, the following argument faults the unpredictability of genitically enhanced crops. Plant Scientist from the John Innes Centre, Dr. Giles Oldroyd (2008) argue that science, by definition is predictable. When one gene of an organism is transfered into another organism it is done thoroughly and sensitively to ensure accuracy. Furthermore, a case study of conventional growing of crops requiring nitrogen fertilisers. The use of nitrogen fertilisers have many adversed effects such as deaths in Mexico and depleting natural resources (fossil fuels). This natural method of crop growing is doing harm to the environment and debates that the perceived unpredictability of genetically enhanced crops are harmful. Dr. Oldroyd also believes that the use of biotechnology is necessary to prevent issues from food shortage due to the expansion in world population and climate change. My first example of a developing country is the Philippines. It is one of the pioneers in Asia to use GM crops where mainly corn was substituted with GM Insect-protected (Bt) corn which has assisted farmers in controlling invasion of insects on the corn without the use of agricultural pesticides. The following example will explain how the use of GM crops is more convenient and profitable than conventional cropping. Jerry Due is one of more than 50, 000 Filipino farmers in the Philippines that embrace the use of GM corn. Due had less problems dealing with corn borers. Furthermore, he has had an increase of an estimated 20 to 30 percent increase in yield since he started using GM grains two years ago. This also reflected positively on his income, he is now confident in being able to save sufficient money to send his son to school and support his throughout his studies. In addition, Due stated that another advantage to the use of the Insect-protected corn is that they need not burn the residue in their harvest where it is necessary for naturally bred corn, instead they simply leave the residue in the field where it will naturally deompose and become fertilisers. Hence having more time to spend on his family and also reduce negative impacts to the environment. (Monsanto, 2005) However, there were much domestic debate for Philippines to allow GM crops to be grown in the country due to mainly religious reasons. Philippines is mainly a Roman Catholic country, it has encountered fierce disapproval from environmental groups as well as many Catholic bishops when the Philippine government approved growth of GM crops in the country. Mr. Gloria Arroyo, Filipino President state that the Vaticans approach to GM crops is postive and has allowed the country to cultivate them however, the Vatican states otherwise. The Vatican were still in the midst of discussion, studying the implications and ethics of using GM crops (Mantell, 2003). Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales Archbishop of Manila informed President Arroyo to eliminate sale of GM rice products that were imported from the United States as they pose dangers to the peoples health as well as the environment. He stated that â€Å"As a church institution, we have moral obligation to protect the interest of Gods people and their inherent right to safe food and healthy environment† (Rosales cited by Digal, 2007) The government sees the necessity of GM crop being grown in the country which will help its people economically as described that it had to weigh the consequences between the idealogy of faith and desperation over food deficit. My second example of a developing country and its use of GM food isChina, the country with the largest population in the world.With over 1.3 billion people and an expected population of 1.4 billion by late 2010s, this is a massive nation requires an incredibly large supply of food to feed its people (Rosenberg, 2008). The China government is very supportive of food biotechonology because they understand the urgency of the immediate availibility of food and the additional nutrional content that GM food can provide. It has policies of self-sufficiency which resulted in China being the fourth largest producer of GM crops globally. The government also believes that more efficient agricultural production techniques need to be practised and GM crops have proven to show superiority over conventional crops with higher yield, pest resistance and longer shelf life. The people in China has a relatively positive attitude towards the use of biotechnology on food where only 9.3% of respondents in a survey display negative opinions towards the use of biotechnology on food. This could be partly due to positive influences from the countrys government regulation and media coverage . Moreover, the benefits of GM food are considered outweighed to its so-called healths risks and implications. The general benefits which are key factors to developing countries like China are the availibility of food, the nutritional enhancement and last but not least, the economic advantage to the use of food biotechnology. A consumer-attitude analysis was done in China and results show that Chinese consumers are willing to pay an average of 16% appreciation for GM soybean oil and 38% appreciation for GM rice over natural alternatives (Curtis; McCluskey; Wahl, 2004). Another survey was done to show that at least half of the survey respondents have heard of GM food and about half urveyed that were adequately informed about GM food define GM food as safe for consumption. Only about 20% of overall surveyed feel that GM food is considered unsafe (Zhong; Marchant; Ding; Lu, 2002). This shows that the chinese consumers are not ignorant as to what GM food is all about. The reason as to why chinese consumers are willing to pay premium for GM food is that they are willing to experiment new products. They have great trust in the governments judgement on food safety and the price change between GM and conventionally grown food is not a factor big enough to prevent them from buying (Curtis; McCluskey; Wahl, 2004). In conclusion, this article has shown perspectives from two developing countries and their postive attitude towards the use of GM food apart from religious reasons. Most importantly, this essay has evaluated and shown that the use of biotechonology on food as a response to tackle the food crisis faced worldwide has been relatively successful with reference from the two developing countries discussed. Genetically modified crops play a very important role in increasing efficiency in production of food for the world, perceived health risks dangers, for example, mice that were fed with food that underwent biotechnology had severe health damages (Zhong, Marchant, Ding, Lu 2002) need to be cushioned and the embracement of enhanced crops ought to be look upon by the entire world. Bibliography: Curtis K; McCluskey J; Wahl T. 2004, AgBioForun â€Å"Consumer Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food Products in the Developing World† Digal S. 2007, AsiaNews â€Å"Stop US GM Food, says Cardinal Rosales† [Accessed on 27/11/09] from http://www.asianews.it/view4print.php?1=enart=8509 Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) 2009, Prevention Web â€Å"Kenya: Drought-resistant crops encouraged† [Accessed on 28/11/09] from http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/news/v.php?id=10731 Mantell K. 2003, Science and Development Network â€Å"Philippines announces Vaticans approval of GM food† [Accessed on 27/11/09] from http://www.scidev.net/en/news/philippines-announces-vaticans-approval-of-gm-foo.html Monsanto Company, 2005, â€Å"Filipino Farmers Reap Advantages of Genetically Modified Organisms† [Accessed on 27/11/09] from http://www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/asp/farmers.asp?cname=philippinesid=jerrydue Rosenberg M. 2008, About â€Å"China Population† [Accessed on 28/11/09] from http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm Zhong F; Marchant M; Ding Y; Lu K. 2002, AgBioForum â€Å"GM Foods: A Nanjing Case Study of Chinese Consumers Awareness and Potential Attitudes†

Black on Black Crime Essay

Today I’m going to talk about How to stop black on black crime. Black on black violence is an enormous problem in the African-American community. Living in a neighborhood that is mostly minority, many may have witnessed a lot of black on black violence. The black on black violence has continued to arise in many communities and continues to be a problem around the world. Black on black violence is ignorant, and many black Americans should be coming together instead of killing one another. African-Americans people should be helping each other in the world. The black on black crimes problem can be solved through non-traditional ways. If we are allowed to illustrate how to present system dominate our lives and the condition that we currently exist. Armed with this knowledge, we will see the problem begin to dissipate. As African American, we â€Å"shout â€Å"when a person commits a violent act against us. We don’t need to display anger and harm against other. African-Americans killing one another, it proves to other races that black people do not know how to act, and that we are truly ignorant in this world. Black on Black crime has been the most insidious killer or black people. It’s not the guns or the drug creating the violence; it is caused by our mentality. We should group ourselves with other who is concerned and willing to sacrifice for the cause of saving our society from imploding. These crimes have always been there, but they are more pronounced because of the black community. African-Americans need to realize that all we have is each other and by killing each other we show that brotherly love does not exist among our own.

The Influence of Gangs in Teenagers

Gangs are a violent reality that people have to deal with in today†s cities. What has made these groups come about? Why do kids feel that being in a gang is both an acceptable and honorable way of life? The long-range answer to these questions can only be speculated, but in the short term the answer is easier to find. We must find ways and means to effectively implement the various strategies to end gang violence. I believe that three important institutions play a vital role in our struggle to fight gang violence. Some believe that gangs are caused by peer pressure. Many teens in gangs will pressure peers into becoming part of a gang by making it all sound glamorous. Other teens will use money as a crucial factor. A kid is shown that they could make a couple of hundred for small part time gang jobs. This includes selling drugs and robbing other people. In other areas like Bronx or the very worst case, Compton, children will be beaten and robbed if they do not join gangs. This is one reason why teens in these areas have to have friends in order for them to survive. Poor parenting also play†s a role why teens turns to gangs. Imagine in poor families with many children or middle-class families where parents are always working, the children will often feel deprived of love and attention. Parents often feel that putting food on the table is enough love. Children of these families may often go to the gang firstly out of boredom and to belong somewhere. As time goes on, a form of love develops between the gang members and the child. It is then that the bond between the kid and the gang is complete because the gang has effectively taken the place of the family. Most parents do not have enough time to talk and listen to their kids. They do not spend any social activities with their children. Even teaching their kids the right values is jeopardizes. Most of the time, parents do not know what their children are doing for two reasons. First, most of the parents† lives is outside the local community, while the children†s lives are lived almost totally within. Second, in a develop community, the passage of relations gives every parent, in a sense, a community of guards who can keep him informed of his child†s activities. In modern living-places, like cities or suburbs, where such a network is abused, he no longer has such sentries. Last but not least is the poor educational system. A lot of students are deprived of basic educations, which includes good skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. If the educational system somehow ensure that each student actually does have access to equal opportunity for a quality education, then perhaps we will find these kids have a better future that holds something more than quitting school, hanging out in the â€Å"hood†, and making money at selling drugs. This is why gangs are more predominant in public school than private school. I am interested in this issue because I want to find out the best way I could prevent my kids from joining gangs. I do not have any experience growing up in this type of environment. I grew up in a place where gang affiliation is unheard of. This is why this is a major concern for me. These are the major factors why most of the teenagers turn to gangs. I believe that proper parenting plays the major role in preventing kids in joining gangs. Everything starts at home; from teaching your kids the right values and helping them develop self-esteem. Parents should teach their kids to value education because this is their key to better future. Parents should serve as a role model to their children. They should do everything possible to involve their children in supervised, positive group activities. Parent need†s to praise their children when they are doing well and encourage them to do their very best, to stretch their skills to the utmost.

Gender As A Primary Cultural Frame - 1517 Words

As human beings, we rely on categories of differences to make sense of the world around us. We utilize our shared cultural knowledge to categorize ourselves as the self and those around as other in order to coordinate our actions. One of the most common example of such categories of differences is gender. For that very reason, Cecelia L. Ridgewood (2009) defines gender as a primary cultural frame. It not only shapes our interactions and but also how we organize social institutions, â€Å"Thus, difference and inequality codetermine each other in our shared gender beliefs, and coordination on the basis of them produces social relations of inequality as well as difference† (Ridgeway 2009:149). These shared gender beliefs are socially constructed†¦show more content†¦I m still confident as a boy and I will always be a boy† (Figure 1). As noted by C.J. Pascoe (2007), one of the ways through which boys escaped from the â€Å"fag discourse† was by not caring abo ut appearance. Here we can see Charles deflecting this discourse by affirming his gender identity as a male solemnly because his of interest in makeup which is usually an interest reserved for women and other men who are gay. However, as also noted by Pascoe, this discourse is inescapable as it is used as a policing mechanism to hold boys accountable for their performance of their assigned gender identities. This example was seen in the comment section where a male commenter posted a meme with caption, â€Å"You a fucking faggot nigga† (Figure 2). Despite Charles distancing himself from other transgender male artists and affirming his male identity, he was still unable to escape the â€Å"fag discourse† as he failed to align himself with the hegemonic ideals of masculinity. Thus, as concluded by Pascoe â€Å"becoming a fag has much to do with failing at the masculine tasks of competence, heterosexual prowess, and strength or in any way revealing weakness or femininity as it does with as it does with sexual identity† (2007:54). Second pattern found in the collected data was of the controlling images of the â€Å"thug,† which is â€Å"a version of subordinate masculinity associated withShow MoreRelatedThe On The Gender Machinery1638 Words   |  7 PagesThe Gender machinery In response to some of the described situational GBV’s, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, is the countries national body for social welfare, gender and children’s rights for Sierra Leone. In 2007, 30 women’s rights organisations joined a demonstration against GBV. The national committee is made up of government institutions, UN agencies both national and international organisation and are against GBV. There are also established regional GBV committeesRead MoreCultural Diversity : A Cultural Assessment, Diagnosis And Or Treatment807 Words   |  4 Pagesclient, while understanding their cultural identity. Therefore, culturally competent knowledge, attitudes, and skills of diverse culture, is necessary, in proper treatment and diagnosis. Nonetheless, the complexity of cultural diversity can contribute to challenges in assessment, diagnosis and or treatment. It is further understood; by understanding one’s social histo ry, psychosocial history, presenting problems, along with other pertinent information regarding a cultural responsiveness in a diagnosisRead MoreGender, Race, Social Class And Relationship Essay1663 Words   |  7 PagesGender, Race, Social Class and Relationship â€Å"How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie† is in the first story collection of Junot Diaz that was published in 1996. Junot Diaz was born in Dominican Republic, he moved to the United States at the age of seven. He is currently a creative writing teacher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Meyer 97). In the short story, Diaz describes how a teenage boy approaches romantic relationships and characterizes the girls based on theirRead MoreVisual images Reinforce Traditional Gender and Sexuality Stereotypes948 Words   |  4 PagesVisual images reinforce traditional gender and sexuality stereotypes through the manifestation of the masculine and feminine miens. An examination of print media advertisements highlights the social and cultural ideologies associated with traditional gender roles that are expected and imposed on by society. â€Å"Advertisements are deeply woven into the fabric of Western Culture, drawing on and reinforcing commonly held perceptions and beliefs† of gender and sexuality stereotypes. They have a strongRead MoreConflict Between The Social Construction Of Masculinity And The Images1442 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstand violence, we must focus on its relationship to our culture and ideals of â€Å"masculinity†. In this documentary, Katz argues, Masculinity is created; it doesn’t just exist– as opposed to one’s biological sex. He also argues that media is the primary feeder and that it also plays a crucial role in making and shaping the way manhood culture is and personal attitudes about manhood. After evaluating media images of manhood, it is clear to see that the media contributes to the widespread equationRead MoreGender As A Man And The Role Of A Woman932 Words   |  4 Pages Many people define gender as the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. In modern and traditional society, gender is used to teach the â€Å"role of a man and the role of a woman†. The role of gender in adolescent literature dates back to the first kind of literature for children, oral folk tales. On the beaches of Greece, Homer told the tale of Odysseus. A Greek king, who was strong, fearless and wise; whom traveled great lands and fought manyRead MoreEssay about A Gender Debate606 Words   |  3 PagesGender refers to the psychological, social, and cultural differences between males and females. Gender also means the physiological and anatomical differences between the male and female bodies. Most socio-biologists believe differences in sex are a result of differences in the thinking and behavior of men and women. They argue gender identity is formed through socialization. Gender structures every aspect of an indi viduals life through social relationships and all forms of interaction with societyRead MoreBenefits Of Single Sex Schools947 Words   |  4 PagesIs coeducation harmful to students? Quite a few parents and teachers believe that learning for both boys and girls is inhibited by attending school with students of the opposite gender. The arguments for this view include eliminating distractions and promoting gender equality. However, the opposite view also has gathered much support, defended by students and other researchers. Support for this viewpoint includes encouraging diversity and providing real world experiences. Coeducational schools haveRead MoreNursing in the Classroom1608 Words   |  6 PagesAs the largest repository for primary and secondary source material on the history of nursing in the world, the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing is uniquely situated to create research and scholarship that will position nursing history as central to debates about health policy and practice. The Center provides a broad array of educational opportunities across the School and University, nation and the world. Center faculty members are known for their mentorship and areRead MoreThe Patriarchy Arena Of Sports903 Words   |  4 Pagesto gender discrimination. Although the lawsuit has now been withdrawn, this case raised a red card concerning gender discrimination in the sports world. This essay will example to prove the patriarchy arena of sports through the lens of media, in conjunction with, how inadequate treatment of female athletes constructs the wider frame of gender discrimination. Biological differences between men and women are apparent and inevitable. Consequently, for centuries the characteristics of gender was