...increased biofuel production is the major cause of the increase in food prices.1 GM giant Monsanto has been at the heart of the lobbying for biofuels (crops grown for fuel rather than food) — while profiting enormously from the resulting food crisis and using it as a PR opportunity to promote GM foods! “The climate crisis was used to boost biofuels, helping to create the food crisis; and now the food crisis is being used to revive the fortunes of the GM industry.” — Daniel Howden, Africa correspondent of The Independent2 “The cynic in me thinks that they’re just using the current food crisis and the fuel crisis as a springboard to push GM crops back on to the public agenda. I understand why they’re doing it, but the danger is that if they’re making these claims about GM crops solving the problem of drought or feeding the world, that’s bullshit.” – Prof Denis Murphy, head of biotechnology at the University of Glamorgan in Wales3 commercialization, genetic engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop yields. The author, former US EPA and US FDA biotech specialist Dr Gurian-Sherman, concludes that when it comes to yield, “Traditional breeding outperforms genetic engineering hands down.”6 “Let’s be clear. As of this year [2008], there are no commercialized GM crops that inherently increase yield. Similarly, there are no GM crops on the market that were engineered to resist drought, reduce...
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... 'SIRT1 transgenic mice show phenotypes resembling calorie restriction', Aging Cell, 6, 6, pp. 759-767, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 16 October 2015 SUMMARY: IN YOUR OWN 50-100 WORDS and complete sentences, describe What This Article Was About And The Main Findings. Use PAST TENSE and PASSIVE STYLE (no pronouns). Cite Reference with (1). Researcher produced mice that overexpress the sirtuin, SIRT1. Transgenic mice had been produced by cracking SIRT1 CDNA into the β-actin locus. Mice those were homozygous...
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...GMO MYTHS AND TRUTHS An evidence-based examination of the claims made for the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops Michael Antoniou Claire Robinson John Fagan June 2012 GMO Myths and Truths An evidence-based examination of the claims made for the safety and efficacy of genetically modified crops Version 1.3 by Michael Antoniou Claire Robinson John Fagan © Earth Open Source www.earthopensource.org 2nd Floor 145–157, St John Street, London EC1V 4PY, United Kingdom Contact email: claire.robinson@earthopensource.org June 2012 Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this paper, or otherwise published by EOS, are those of the authors and do not represent the official policy, position, or views of other organizations, universities, companies, or corporations that the authors may be affiliated with. GMO Myths and Truths 2 About the authors Michael Antoniou, PhD is reader in molecular genetics and head, Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King’s Cols: lege London School of Medicine, London, UK. He has 28 years’ experience in the use of genetic engineering technology investigating gene organisation and control, with over 40 peer reviewed publications of original work, and holds inventor status on a number of gene expression biotechnology patents. Dr Antoniou has a large network of collaborators in industry and academia who are making use of his discoveries in gene control mechanisms for the production of research, diagnostic and therapeutic products...
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...in our life by modifying the crops that we need. Genetically modified food could solve many problems to humans such as, cultivating new crops with new characteristics that could help humans. Also genetic engineering could help some countries to cultivate new crops they couldn’t cultivate it before for many reasons such as weather, soil type, and cultivating seasons. However, recently genetically modified food could make a big influence to human’s life, and it helped them to cultivate new crops, they wouldn’t be able to cultivate it without it. About 200 years ago Thomas Malthus predicted that according to that big increase in the humans’ population which is currently up to six billions, “the number of mouths that need to feed is increased. The numbers of cultivated crops is stable since Thomas Malthus has made his prediction; this has been the result of amazing technological advances in agricultural sciences with advent of biotechnology and genetic engineering, which have served to increase the average yield of various farm products’’ (Nayak et.al 112). Most of the countries started to cultivate genetically modified crops to feed their needs, and they could increase their crops number quickly. Global cultivation of genetically modified food in 1996 was three million hectares, and that was by the efforts of farmers in six countries only. In 2008 the farmers in 25 countries could cultivate 125 million hectares of genetically modified crops which it was very big increase...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms Technology, Society, and Culture Table of Contents Technical Aspect of GMO by Chad Dookie Page 3 Moral and Ethical Aspect of GMO by Ronald Claude Page 7 Cultural and Legal Aspect of GMO by Evangelina Ramirez Page 14 Environmental Issues of GMO by Donovan Collins Page 23 References Page 32 Technical Aspect of GMO by Chad Dookie Description of GMOs and the associated science Most of the populations that do shopping in the groceries to buy food for their family are not aware of the “naturalness” of the food. Groceries sell items such as; cotton seeds, rice, soy, sugar beets, yeast, cassava, papaya, bananas, food flavoring, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, squash, oils, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, peas, alfalfa, and honey. Notice that most of the items listed either came from a plant or an animal. Those are the top 20 grocery items that have been genetically modified. What are genetically modified organisms? A genetically modified organism is any living thing that has had their DNA tampered with. This can be mutating, removing, or adding genetic material into the organism. All of the items listed in paragraph one has had their DNA tampered with. Most times when people talk about genetically modified organisms, they mostly refer to plants that are genetically modified. You may be wondering how the animals listed are considered genetically modified. This is because scientists modify the plants that are being...
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...Fedoroff Agric & Food Secur (2015) 4:11 DOI 10.1186/s40066-015-0031-7 Open Access REVIEW Food in a future of 10 billion Nina V Fedoroff* Abstract Over the past two centuries, the human population has grown sevenfold and the experts anticipate the addition of 2–3 billion more during the twenty-first century. In the present overview, I take a historical glance at how humans supported such extraordinary population growth first through the invention of agriculture and more recently through the rapid deployment of scientific and technological advances in agriculture. I then identify future challenges posed by continued population growth and climate warming on a finite planet. I end by discussing both how we can meet such challenges and what stands in the way. Keywords: Population growth, Agriculture, Domestication, Genetic modification, Technology Background Today we have enough food to meet the world’s needs. Indeed, we have an extraordinary global food system that brings food from all over the planet to consumers who can afford to buy it. The food price spike of 2008 and the resurgence of high food prices in recent years have had little impact on the affluent citizens of the developed world who spend a small fraction of their income on food. By contrast, food prices have a profound impact on the world’s poorest people. Many of them spend half or more of their income on food. During the food price crisis of 2008, there were food riots in more than...
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...December 2008 Title* Author Aslihan Arslan Abstract: Economic models of land allocation may lead to expectations for farmer response that “surprisingly" do not materialize, if market prices fail to reflect the value of farmers' product. “Shadow prices" rather than market prices explain resource allocation better for farmers who attach significant non-market values to their own crops. I extend the theoretical model in Arslan and Taylor (2008) to explain why the land allocation of such farmers may not respond to market signals even if transaction costs are not binding. I estimate the proportion of land subsistence maize farmers allocate to traditional versus modern maize varieties using nationally representative rural household data from Mexico – the center of diversity of maize. I conclude that shadow prices explain land allocation better than market prices and discuss the importance of non-market values in understanding both farmers' supply response and on-farm conservation of traditional crops with non-market values. Keywords: Land allocation, shadow prices, non-market values, traditional crops, on-farm conservation, Mexico JEL classification: O12, O13, Q12, Q39 Aslıhan Arslan Kiel Institute for the World Economy 24100 Kiel, Germany Telephone: (431) 881 4499 E-mail: aslihan.arslan@ifw-kiel.de * I thank to the Center on Rural Economies of the Americas and Pacific Rim (REAP) and Program for the Study of Economic Change and Sustainability in Rural Mexico (PRECESAM) for...
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...Sherry West B6025-P G01 Management Decision Models Dr. Matthew Kuofie Argosy University Module 5 Assignment 2 June 11, 2014 Management Decision Models Assignment- Decision Making Awry This assignment asks you to use decision making using social influence, persuasion and risk taking that went awry. Examine a time when you were involved in decision making that went awry as a result of protocols, social norms or persuasive techniques. If you do not want to use an example from your business or personal experience you can base your assignment on a journal article of your selection. Here are some key words to help you find an article for this assignment: * Decision making * Risk taking * Persuasion * Social heuristics Write a 5–6 page paper in Word format that addresses the following: * Describe a decision-making scenario using your business experience, personal decision making or cited journal article; include an example of the decision-making process, why it was a risk, how persuasion was used, and what the social heuristics were. * Explain the incentives that caused others to support the decision and identify why these incentives were selected. * Identify the risks and the potential decision biases in your scenario. Propose the corrective steps that should have been taken to overcome these biases. If a risk assessment was conducted how did this affect the decision-making process? * Analyze your scenario for what happened in terms...
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...PICKING COTTON, COLLECTING PAINS (Socio-economic Condition of Cotton Picking Women in South Punjab) Researcher: Amjad Nazeer Oxfam GB, Islamabad (Pakistan) (October 24, 2012) 0 CONTENTS Executive Summary………………………………………………………….……….……...…2 The Euphoria of Agri-economy: ……………………………………………...….…………..7 Higher Yield - Between Myth and Reality: ..........................................................................................8 The Poison Business: ………………………………….……………………………………….9 Dealing in Pesticides: ….…………………………………………………………………......10 Socio-Economic Condition of Cotton Pickers: …………………………………………....11 Cotton Picking and Extended Agri-tasks: …………………………………….……..…….18 Bargaining Vulnerabilities: ………………………………………………………………….19 Clever Calculations to Rob off Picker’s Labour: ……………………..…….…………..…20 Picking Cotton in Poisonous Fields:…………………………………..…………..…..……23 Growers and Dealers attitude towards Pickers: …………………………..………..……..27 Labour Laws and Cotton Pickers: ……………………………………………………..……29 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations: …………………..…….….………..…….29 End Notes and references: ………………………………………..……………….…………34 Bibliography: …………………………………………………….……………….………..…36 1 Executive Summary Approximately, seven million women are engaged in cotton picking across Pakistan. More or less, one third of them come from South Punjab. The incidence of poverty in rural South Punjab is estimated to be the highest after Baluchistan and parts of Sindh, with women’s condition...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms Table of Contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Connection to Technology and Science 4 Definition of Technology 4 Historical Developments of Technology 5 Political and Legal Influences 6 Economic Questions and Considerations 7 Psychological Considerations and Sociological Effects 9 Cultural Context and Media Influence 11 Environmental Implications 20 Moral and Ethical Implications 20 Conclusions 21 References 22 Appendices 0 Abstract This report is about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), It will explain what the technology is, how it developed from the observation of pea plants by a humble gardener at a monastery in Czechoslovakia in the middle of the 19th century to become the science of genetic engineering. The report will examine the influences the technology of GMOs has had on the political and legal systems where they have been introduced and how those political and legal systems are trying to reach some agreement on how to best use this technology. The report discusses the economic questions and implications, the psychological considerations, sociological effects, and the environmental, moral and ethical implications of genetically modified organisms. This report will also explain how the media has influenced the acceptance of some GMOs and the rejection of other and examine this technology and its cultural context. Connection to Technology and Science The emerging science/...
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...Genetically Modified Organisms Group B: Erica Grigg, Kaneka Jackson, Gene Kim, Kathryn Lynn Content Introduction/Description (Kathryn Lynn)………………………….………...………… 2 Historical Development (Kathryn Lynn)….….……….………….….…….…………… 4 Political/Legal Influences (Kaneka Jackson)………………….….……..…….……….. 11 Economic Questions (Erica Grigg)…….…….……..….….….….…..…..…..…….……15 Psychological Considerations (Erica Grigg)…………………….…………………....... 19 Cultural/Media Influence (Kaneka Jackson)………………………….…..…………….. 24 Environmental Implications (Gene Kim)……..….….…..….….……….……………..... Moral/Ethical Implications (Gene Kim)………………..….…….….…….………....... References…..….…..…….…….…….…….…..…….……..…..….…..…….…….…. Introduction The world is forever changing. New technologies are being introduced and discovered as generations grow and the need for basic food items is increased. Technology is involved in every facet of our lives. It is used continuously every day whether it be waking up to an alarm clock, watching TV that you recorded on a digital video recorder, brushing your teeth with a mechanical toothbrush, or using your GPS navigation system when going to your latest vacation destination. The latest technology has made it possible for people to communicate with others all over the world in both audio and video formats. Scientists are continuously looking for ways to make living easier and more productive. They are looking for solutions to world hunger, new medical advances to...
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...Pepper Seed DNA Extraction Biochem lab: CHE 452L marisol gomez Pepper Seed DNA Extraction Biochem lab: CHE 452L marisol gomez 2015 2015 INTRODUCTION The jalapeno is a member of the capsicum family, along with many other peppers. The usual methods for characterization of different pepper species are based on their morphological and physiological traits, however this many not always be enough. For peppers, their traits are influenced by things like their genotype or their specific environment. Genomic markers can allow for a more direct comparison of closely related individuals (Ansari and Khan, 2012). In our case we focus on DNA extraction. The two basic parts of a DNA extraction procedure include the breaking of the cell walls to expose the DNA and the use of enzymes to remove contaminants. The DNA is analyzed for purity by taking the absorbance. The pure DNA is then visualized by gel electrophoresis. The DNA extraction of plant seeds is difficult because of their cell wall. The method used to break the cell wall includes grinding the seeds with liquid nitrogen. The addition of DNAzol is used to isolate genomic DNA (Chomczynski et al. 1997). Restriction enzymes are necessary to fragment patterns of the DNA and in turn making it easier to analyze the DNA through gel electrophoresis. BACKGROUND The purpose of our experiment is to extract the DNA from pepper seeds to be able to compare and contrast the similarities in their DNA. The extraction of DNA from a plant...
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...MACRO ECONOMICS - Prof. POOJA MISHRA AGRICULTURAL SECTOR IN INDIA GROUP DETAILS Aashish Kumar Arya 13DM003 Akanksha Khar 13DM017 Abhay Goyal 13DM006 Akash Jain 13DM019 Abhishek Surendra Rane 13DM008 Ankit Saraff 13DM029 INDIAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY India accounts for only about 2.4 % of the world’s geographical area and 4 % of its water resources, but manages about 17 % of the world’s human population and 15 % of the livestock. Agriculture is a critical sector of the Indian economy. Though its contribution to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has fallen from about 30 % in 1990-91 to less than 15 % in 2011-12, a trend that is expected in the development process of any economy, agriculture yet forms the backbone of development. An average Indian still spends almost half of his/her total expenditure on food, while roughly half of India’s work force is still engaged in agriculture for its livelihood. Being both a source of livelihood and food security for a vast majority of low income, poor and vulnerable sections of society, its performance assumes greater significance in view of the proposed National Food Security Bill and the ongoing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. Accelerating the growth of agriculture production is therefore necessary not only to achieve an overall GDP target of 8 % during the 12th Plan and meet the rising demand for food, but also to increase incomes of those dependent...
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...Food, Agriculture, and the Environment Discussion Paper 34 Agricultural Research and Poverty Reduction Peter Hazell and Lawrence Haddad International Food Policy Research Institute 2033 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S.A. August 2001 INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP (TAC), CONSULTATIVE GROUP Copyright © 2001 International Food Policy Research Institute All rights reserved. Sections of this report may be reproduced without the express permission of but with acknowledgment to the International Food Policy Research Institute. ISBN 0-89629-639-3 Foreword v Acknowledgments vi 1. Introduction 1 2. The Nature and Extent of Poverty 3 3. How Agricultural Research Can Help the Poor 9 4. Targeting Agricultural Research to Benefit the Poor 18 5. Strategies for Pro-Poor Agricultural Research 26 6. The Role of Public Research and Extension Systems 35 References 37 Contents iii Tables 1. Trends in child malnutrition in developing countries, by region, 1970–95 6 2. Distribution of land types by region 6 3. Distribution of malnourished children by agroecological zone, 1990 7 4. Comparison of low- and middle-income countries 21 5. Priorities for agricultural research to reduce national poverty by type of adopting region 24 Figures 1. Number of people living on less than $1 a day, 1987 and 1998 4 2. Those living with HIV/AIDS and those newly infected: Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa...
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...or Peor Pe or Pe ople, Naople, Na ople, Naople, Na ople, Na tt tt t ure, and ure, and ure, and ure, and ure, and tt tt t he Ehe E he Ehe E he E cc cc c oo oo o nn nn n oo oo o mm mm m yy yy y 1. AGRICULTURE TAKES A BIG BITE: THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF THE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM After air and water, food is the most essential resource people require to sustain themselves. These resources are provided by the layer of interconnected life that covers our planet: the biosphere. Yet the way the food system provides food often severely damages the health of the biosphere through soil and aquifer depletion, deforestation, aggressive use of agrochemicals, fishery collapses, and the loss of biodiversity in crops, livestock, and wild species. The global food system has become such a dominant force shaping the surface of this planet and its ecosystems that we can no longer achieve sustainability without revamping the food system. At the same time sustainable food systems provide great hope for building a sustainable future—a future in which all can lead satisfying lives within the means of the biosphere. In this brief, we use Ecological Footprint analysis to document the current food system’s demand on the biosphere. Ecological Footprint accounts track the area of biologically productive land and water needed to produce the resources consumed by a given population and to absorb its waste. The Ecological Footprint allows us to monitor...
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