Hello All,
Here is that long awaited blog that I have been meaning to send you. Okay, so here is the article on Golden Rice from Time Magazine. Read this article and comment on the following two questions:
Link to Article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,997586,00.html
1) The Time Magazine article poses the question:
"At issue is the question of what genetically engineered crops represent. Are they, as their proponents argue, a technological leap forward that would bestow incalculable benefits on the world and its people? Or do they represent a perilous step down a slippery slope that will lead to ecological and agricultural ruin? Is genetic engineering just a more efficient way to do business of conventional crossbreeding? Or does the ability to mix the genes of any species--even plants and animals--give man more power than he should have?
So what is your opinion on this and explain why.
2) Here is another quote from the Time Magazine article"Wamabugu also dreams of getting access to herbicide-resistant crops. She says, We could liberate so many people if our crops were resistant to herbicides that we could then spray on the surrounding weeds. Weeding ensalves Africans; it keeps children from school."
Explain how this quote connects or relates with the idea from the textbook, "Everything you do or do not do, will play a role in our collective choice of which path we will take."
Remember this is due by Tuesday (Feb 21,2012) at 8a.m.
1) I think that genetically modifying plants and animals to benefit human kind is a great idea, and a power that we should use carefully, but not too sparingly. This technology can better the lives of many people throughout both the developed and developing worlds. It can save the lives of malnourished people in developing countries, and bring other benefits to the developed world. Golden rice is a great example of the great good that transgenic species can bring to people. Yes, I do think that there are some cases in which transgenic species can be damaging to the environment or have adverse effects, but in this case, I do not think so. I think that this is a great scientific achievement, and should be proudly used to save the lives and sight of many.
ReplyDelete2) Many people in Africa would benefit from herbicide resistant plants in Africa, but having herbicide resistant plants can become a danger to the environment. They could spread and not be killed by the same herbicides. So in this case, what we do and what we do not will have definite consequences. If we do not plant herbicide resistant plants, more people will be forced to pull weeds, and stay out of school, but if we do it might have negative ecological effects on the environment. In this case, the choice is not so clear.
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ReplyDeleteOverall I think genetically engineering plants is a good idea. Even though it is a good idea we should look at it with a neutral perspective. We should look at what we are changing and the long/short term affects it has on humans, and the environment around it. I do think that the ability to be able to genetically engineer something is giving man more power than we should have. It is dangerous and unpredictable but in the result is amazing in it saves many lives, and it an opportunity that many third-war families can afford.
2.
If we take the path to genetically engineer the crop to be herbicide resistant we are practically killing many birds with one stone. With the herbicide we are gaining the opportunity to educating the children, healthier crops(because they are free of weeds), and a easier season f harvesting. Those are all the pros but we don't know the limitations of the cons. With that point that is where our choice become bigger than the facts that are laided out in front of us.
1. I think genetically engineering crops can be a great future solution to our food problems in the world. As of right now I feel that the technology is way to new and we have no idea how this type of cross breading can affect our ecosystem and humanity in the future. If you mess around to much with the fundamentals of life on earth, you can easily throw of the delicate balance of the environment. As of right now golden rice seems like a perfect solution. When you think long term you have to think how this golden rice could affect plant and animals that live around the rice crop. You also have to take into account what affects it might have on the people who consume it after long period of time.
ReplyDelete2. If they plant herbicide resistant crops, a numerous amount of things could go wrong. For starters, what if the thing that makes them resist changes the quality of the crop. Even though we have more of it, if the crop is bad then it is just a waste. Also, what if the things put in the crop can cause harmful reactions in human through consumption. Another thing is if the seeds from the crop spread, which they probably will, there's a chance they'll end up somewhere there not supposed to be. By making them herbicide resistant you make it that much harder to get ride of them.