Effects of Acid Rain

Acid Rain Essay Many may ask how acid can just fall from the sky. However, it falls in the form of rain. Acid rain can be described as rain that is more acidic then regular rain. In scientific terms, acid rain has a pH lower then 5. 6, the pH of clean rain. As shown, clean rain has a pH less then neutral; carbon dioxide in the air interacts with rain causing the drop of pH. Acid rain has a couple different causes. However, pollution plays the biggest role in the creation of acid rain. The burning of fossil fuels from factories, cars, and power plants create fumes, which rise in the air and create acid rain.The two main chemicals in the making of acid rain are sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxides. Specifically in the United States, sulfur in coal creates most of the solutions being released by smoke houses. The production of acid rain all starts with reaction with water producing H+ ions. Regular rain, with CO2 as described above, produces one H+ ion and HCO3. When the production of acid rain occurs, the Sulfur dioxide is oxidized and is made sulfur trioxide. The equation of this is: 2SO2+O2 2S03. After oxidation, the sulfur trioxide combines with water to create sulfuric acid that then falls to the ground as acid rain.The equation of this is: SO3+H2OH2SO4. If these reactions just occurred, created acid rain, and didn’t hurt anything when it fell, it would go unnoticed. Too bad it isn’t all that easy. Acid rain doesn’t hurt humans too much, but hurts the environment around us as well as many buildings made of marble. For humans, acid rain’s only impact is that it may irritate our lungs. Also, the acid rain causes poor visibility in certain areas. Acid rain plays a much larger impact on the environment. For example, the effect it has on lakes and rivers. Most lakes have pH’s ranging from six to eight.However, the acid rain that gets absorbed in the soil around the water causes the pH to go lower. In a pond in Franklin, New York the pH got as low as 4. 2. The effect of acid rain is less evident in forests because in some cases acid doesn’t affect the growth of trees. The responsibility we have, is to stop or lessen the amount of acid rain that falls. There are a number of ways this is possible. First is to repair the damage it has already done, second is to clean the smokestacks and our exhaust pipes, and thirdly is to find new efficient and less pollutant fuel sources. The destruction that acid rain as made on marble can always be fixed. There are also techniques to fix lakes by a process called liming, where limestone is added to the water. However, liming is expensive and temporary. Because coal is such an efficient fuel source, it would be hard to change. A different fuel source is the best long-term way of stopping acid rain. Nuclear power is one of the best energy sources but can be extremely dangerous if any accidents occur. If an auto mobile industry were to publish an article about acid rain it would differ greatly from then ones written by environmentalists.The auto industry would steer away from the way cars produce very pollutant gas, and of course would mention how their car is made more environmentally friendly and that the cars they make produce less pollutant gasses. They would do this in order for customers to by their car, and not feel guilty about hurting the environment. For example, many car companies are making hybrid and electric cars in order for people to know they are buying a more environmentally friendly car.

Significance of Gender in Romeo and Juliet

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the Montagues and the Capulets have very different relationships with their children. A major reason for this, as well as much of the conflict in the tale, comes from the gender roles that Romeo and Juliet are expected to play into. Adding to that conflict is the fact that both Romeo and Juliet push the boundaries of these roles and struggle to fit into them. Romeo plays the over emotional lover, while Juliet is clever and dominant. Throughout the play we can see that both Romeo and Juliet have to struggle with the people around them because they are not acting within their respective gender roles. One of the first moments in the play where Romeo’s non-normative attitude towards love is addressed directly is when Mercutio, in Act 2 Scene 4, reflects on Romeo and Rosaline. â€Å"Why, is not this better now than groaning for love? / now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art / thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature† (2. 4. 20). Mercutio is excited to have his friend ‘back’. In the the last two lines of this quote, Mercutio implies that not worrying over love is normal. That, in hanging with the boys and not following his wild emotions, Romeo is being what Romeo ought to be,â€Å"art as well as by nature†. The implication here is that the way he was reacting before to Rosaline is not natural. This lovelorn that overpowers all else Romeo feels comes back much harder with Juliet. Mercutio’s comment about Rosaline infers the abnormality of Romeo. This seed that is planted in the mind of the audience can then take root and be even more noticeable without Mercutio commenting on it directly with Juliet. In the first scene of Act 3, Romeo struggles with his masculinity versus his love. When he chooses not to fight Tybalt with Juliet in mind, Romeo open questions his own masculinity. He is after all, a part of this society and surely recognizes, to a certain extent, the unusualness of his feelings. â€Å"†¦O sweet Juliet, / Thy beauty hath made me effeminate / And in my temper soften'd valour's steel! † (3. 1. 7) To Romeo, it is as if Juliet’s beauty has him bewitched. He doesn’t put the blame on himself or even her, but her beauty. He is giving life to it, admitting that it subdues him. By attributing Juliet’s beauty with such a powerful presence, Romeo is only underlining his romantic nature. Several other characters make note of Romeo’s feminine/emotional nature. The Nurse and The Friar are two of the more observant characters in the play. In Act 3, Scene 3, when talking of Romeo, The Nurse says, â€Å"Stand up, stand up; stand, and you be a man: / For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand† (3. 3. 3). She is saying that Romeo needs to be less emotional, that it is taking away from his manhood. Later on in the same scene, the Friar tells Romeo to stop crying, that it makes him look like a girl. â€Å"Hold thy desperate hand: / Art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art: / Thy tears are womanish†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3. 3. 4). Throughout the whole play, Romeo is picked on for his emotional way of life. His unusually demeanor could also be his fatal flaw. Early on in the play, when Romeo and his friends sneak into the Capulet party, Capulet speaks highly of Romeo, and tells Tybalt not to cause trouble. There is a kindness in his tone that cannot help to make one think that perhaps if Romeo approached Capulet and asked to marry Juliet, th at Capulet might have said yes. But he doesn’t do this, and there is no way of really knowing what Capulet would have said. Romeo’s struggle with people not accepting how he doesn’t really fit the mold is not as definitively consequential as Juliet’s. No one is telling Romeo what to do, Lady Montague doesn’t want him to be involved in fighting, but no one is trying to determine the rest of his life for him. Juliet’s struggle isn’t a social conflict. She isn’t being made fun of by her friends, or criticized casually by the people around her. She is being controlled and pushed towards life commitments that she wants no part of. Romeo has a lot at stake, emotionally, but the rest of Juliet’s life is at stake. In one of her first moments with her mother, this conflict is explicitly shown, â€Å"LADY CAPULET: Marry, that ‘marry' is the very theme /I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet, / How stands your disposition to be married? JULIET: It is an honour that I dream not of. † (1. 3. 4) Lady Capulet reflects the societal expectations. And although Juliet’s line has no huge impact on Lady Capulet, it does foreshadow her relationship with the world. And inevitably, one side will have to give in. There is a distinct change we see in how Juliet’s father treats her during the play. In Act 1, Scene 2, when Paris asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage, Capulet says that in the end the decision is hers to make, â€Å"â€Å"But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, / My will to her consent is but a part; / An she agree, within her scope of choice / Lies my consent and fair according voice. † (1. 2. 2) He is telling Paris that he has his blessing, but he must woo Juliet because her consent is important to him. This gives the impression that Capulet is a kind, non-restrictive, even liberal parent. But later on in the play, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Capulet really loses his temper at her, â€Å"How now, how now, chop-logic! What is this? / ‘Proud,' and ‘I thank you,' and ‘I thank you not;' / And yet ‘not proud,' mistress minion, you, / Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds, / But fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next, / To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church, / Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. / Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! / You tallow-face! † (3. 5. 3) What happened to his earlier attitude? One could argue that Capulet is, in fact, not a very thoughtful liberal father, but sees himself as one because his daughter, Juliet, is for the most part a good kid. And she has never really disobeyed him before. This sign of independence and disrespect is too much for him and his true controlling nature is revealed. The parts of Juliet’s home life that seem supportive and loving only remain as such while she is doing what others want her to do. As soon as she makes a decision for herself, all of that support is taken away. Capulet commands her to marry Paris or be kicked out of his house. If Juliet was a boy, or if she wasn’t pushed into the role of the girl than these problems would not come up. Romeo and Juliet defy their families. They put aside the quarrel that takes up so much energy and violence. Romeo ignores his friends in chasing after Juliet, and Juliet battles with her parents. Their marriage is a rebellion against both Houses. Both characters do not fit into the gender roles that other characters expect of them. It is this shared defiance that holds them together, but also that ruins them. If neither one had expectations put on them, then Juliet wouldn’t have had to marry Paris. But the shared deviance and secretive nature to their relationship is a large part of what gave them such passion. Shakespeare is examining the roles men and women are asked to play in society, asking us to think about the consequences.

Educational Reforms in Pakistan Essay

Educational reforms are a significant reference point in the educational history of Pakistan in terms of their scale, the amount of money invested in them, the order of their urgency and their official/political ownership. The reforms are also important as their need was felt by the donor country (the US), and the contours of the implementation process were drawn up by consultants who came as part of the grant package. Before we look at the politics of these educational reforms we need to understand that historically dominant groups have always used terms like ‘reforms’, ‘development’, ‘civilisation’, ‘emancipation’, and ‘peace’ for their hegemonic purpose. Many imperialist powers annexed other countries ostensibly to civilise them, to develop them, to liberate their people, and to bring peace to the colonies. The important point to note here is that hegemonic powers first turn development into ‘undevelopment’ and then offer reforms for their own version of development. For instance, when the British came to India the country was doing fine economically. Michael Parenti in Against Empire writes, â€Å"In 1810, India was exporting more textiles to England than England was exporting to India. By 1830, the trade flow was reversed. The British had put up prohibitive tariff barriers to shut out Indian finished goods and were dumping their commodities in India, a practice backed by British gunboats and military force. Within a matter of years, the great textile centres of Dacca and Madras were turned into ghost towns.† This rather long quote refers to a typical pattern of hegemonic designs of development, ‘undevelopment’ and one’s own version of development. In India, after turning development into ‘undevelopment’, the British claimed to bring development through the construction of roads, railway tracks, buildings etc. This view of development is purely physical. This interesting pattern is also shared by military governments. It is claimed that most developmental works were carried out by military dictators like Ayub, Zia, and Musharraf. We can also equate this pattern with ‘form’, ‘deform’, and ‘reform’. Military governments first dissolve parliament and then, after ruling for a long time, promise to give back democracy (their own version of it) as a token of favour. In other words, the dominant group first deforms the existing practice and then embarks on reforming the process. Let us now look at the rationale of the post-9/11 reforms. Ironically the need for such reforms was not felt by the local government but by the US. In the 9/11 Commission report, the US is urged to â€Å"support Pakistan’s government in its struggle against extremists with a comprehensive effort that extends from military aid to support for better education, so long as Pakistan’s leaders remain willing to make difficult choices of their own.† Following this commitment, a large sum of money was given to Pakistan for educational reforms. According to USAID, â€Å"From 2002 through 2006, USAID provided a total of $449m to address the most pressing needs: education, health, economic growth, and good governance.† One of the major reforms was to purge the curriculum of hate material. It is important to note that most of this hate material was in fact included during the period of the Afghan war. Besides help in the shape of weapons, money, training etc, a large sum of money was also allocated by the superpower for designing such primers and books that would excite the youth for jihad. This jihad was a political need of the superpower to settle scores with the Soviet Union. For this purpose a centre was established in Peshawar to design such books. Tariq Ali (quoted in Mamdani) referred to primers that stated that the Urdu letter tay stood for tope (cannon), kaff for Kalashnikov, khay for khoon (blood) and jeem for jihad. It is interesting that money is now being squandered on taking out the hate material which was once inserted with consent. This should not come as a surprise as education has always been used by hegemonic forces as a potent tool to realise their vested interests by moulding marginalised groups. Having looked at the upper level of politics in educational reforms now let us see political manoeuvring at the national level. Pakistan has always suffered from the problem of poor allocation of funds for education. Here was a very good opportunity to make appropriate use of money to bring a qualitative change to the educational system of Pakistan. But on the contrary, the government used this money for its own image-building. To do wonders, a retired general was appointed as minister for education. At the local level, slogans of self-praise, such as ‘Parah Likha Punjab’ were coined to create the illusion of development. On the top, political appointments were made, some of them quite controversial. A sizeable amount of funds was allocated to print and electronic advertisements for the image-building of the provincial leadership. In the books published by the Punjab Text Board a message from the chief minister was also inserted. A typical practice in most research projects, initiated in the name of educational reforms, was to focus on the enhancement of numbers. Showing increased numbers at the end of a research project would satisfy the donors, and the salaries of the employees and consultants would be justified. What do we find as a result of such lucrative projects? We should expect a typical number-crunching game without any sustainable qualitative change. It is important to realise that for real improvement in education, money is important. But money alone cannot bring about any meaningful change unless the desire for reform comes from within, appointments are made on the basis of pure merit, planning is done carefully, an effective monitoring system is in place and goals are not limited to demonstrating expansion in numbers.

Lit short paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lit short paper - Essay Example He goes on further to say that he loves not only the Supreme but also the infinitely small – the thimble, spurs, plates and flower vases. The Supreme would point to god and that adoration comes naturally to creatures of God (which would include the poem himself). The enumeration of the above objects point to a consideration of their usefulness. The reader is given an inkling next of the poet as being a man who smokes. He starts the stanza by saying â€Å"For heaven’s sake, the planet is beautiful† as though to imply that it goes without saying that the world we live in is not only beautiful but filled with things like â€Å"smoking pipes cupped in the hand† which are sources of enjoyment for men (and also for women). This rather long stanza goes on to mention other things not only useful to man but handmade by man – keys, salt cellars. This is followed by a description of the intricacies that make up the things stated – the curve of the shoe, the weave, the smokiness of chairs. He does not stop here. He continues enumerating other things that man needs to make life easy and clean and comfortable – spectacles, nail, brooms, clocks, compasses and coins. In the next stanza which is shorter, he marvels at the multitude of pure things has made of wool, wood, glass, rope, tables, ships and stairs. Then the poet waxes sentimental when he remembers feathers, love’s blossoms vanished – glasses, knives, scissors that bear â€Å"finger marks of a distant hand†. It seems that the poet associates these things within easy reach with someone else’s hand – probable that of the loved one who is no longer around. He writes of them as â€Å"lost in the most forgotten oblivion†. How strange that he banishes them to oblivion and yet remembers them. Is he applying reverse psychology here? Sadly, he looks for objects he loves but does not own in houses, streets, elevators

Belgium's economic and monetary affairs Research Paper

Belgium's economic and monetary affairs - Research Paper Example Belgium consists of two major nationalists, the Flemish speaking north, and the French speaking Walloons in the south. The other subset arises from Brussels, the Bilingual capital, where the two major nationalists share official ranks. It is also a constitutional monarchy that experiences lots of tension and political instabilities, as the two major cultural groups in the separate regions, fail to reconcile their differences for the coalition governments to run effectively. Belgium, as a founder member of European Union has been an active contributor to pursue European integration, fully signed up to main measures of closer co-operation, comprising of Euro and Schengen convention (â€Å"Belgium and Luxembourg,† civitas.org.uk). Belgium hosts lots of General European institutions and meetings. The headquarters of EU, venue of EU council presidencies, EESC, and CoR institutions strongly linked to EU are all based in Brussels (â€Å"Belgium and the European,† belgium.be). With continued active participation in the EU, the Belgian’s lives, country policies and identity has been structured, due to common EU policies and objectives. In turn, Belgium has influenced European policymaking in economics and the finance sectors. With the country having the chance to hold seatings of major European Union institutions and meetings, the politicians within its region fully participate in decision making processes. Other nations could feel neglected as Belgium, United Kingdom, and Germany influence most of the decisions, but at the same time the power to object lies with the majority, which most of the countries do not show full commitment to. Even if Belgium is part of the small member states of the EU, it is well conversant with EU’s objectives, and takes advantage of been host to major EU functions, where personnel and policy experts actively participate, enhancing their argumentative power, which influences policy making that could favors

The motivations of Chinese EFLs Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

The motivations of Chinese EFLs - Term Paper Example People who are fluent in English are given almost celebrity-like honor and value in countries where English is not the official language. The wide ranged usage of English throughout the world be it, mass media, education, Internet, business, tourism, technology and such other fields is what gives the language an authoritative appeal and command over the whole world. Acknowledging the importance of the English language, the government of every country needs to be capable of providing facilities for the children to learn this language. Thus, this is the reason why English is being taught in almost all countries. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parents to get their children enrolled into schools that teach English. It also becomes the responsibility of these children to learn well and excel in their academics to make their parents feel proud and in turn, serve their nation by staying committed to their jobs, which obviously, would require English as the main language. Therefo re, for students to learn languages, other than their mother tongue, they need motivation. The paper at hand focuses on Chinese EFL students. These refer to the students who come from China and settle in America or other such countries where the official language is English, and study English as a foreign language. It also includes EFL students who reside in China itself. Studies show that China accounts for the â€Å"largest number of English language learners in the world† (Influence of Instrumental Motivation on EFL Learners in China and its Implication On TEFL Instructional Design 1). According to JUDY F. CHEN in his article called, Motivators That Do Not Motivate: the Case of Chinese EFL Learners and the Influence of Culture on Motivation, the Language learning theory has widely accepted the saying that language learners with superior levels of motivation will be superior achievers. Finding what composes motivation for those who learn the language in a variety of cultura l settings remains a significant and difficult task. Motivation study frequently centers on cultural circumstances that are not very different from European values and North American. Language learning motivation study outcomes have tended to support the supreme importance of integrative motivation, which was primarily described by Gardner and Lambert (1972) and the newer version by Shaaban and Ghaith. Integrative motivation is successful because language abilities are perceived as essential to participation in various social groups that employ the target language. Noels, Clement, Pelletier, and Vallerand (2000) make out the preeminent significance formerly granted to the orientation of integrative motivation, but also state that this can be the case only in particular socio-cultural circumstances. Integrative motivation is frequently contrasted by way of the more outwardly affected instrumental motivation (JUDY F. CHEN 2005). The students face a lot of problems in their everyday li fe in the educational institutions they attend. This is due to the fact that English is totally foreign to them until they go abroad. Thus, there arises a great need for these students to be motivated. This paper therefore addresses various problems that the Chinese EFL students face in learning English, the

Bank regulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Bank regulation - Essay Example Additionally, there was a lack of appreciation of the magnitude and complexity of the workings relating to large financial institutions and trading banks with respect to those financial institutions that had more than one jurisdictions coupled with the difficult associated in dealing with the problem (Kawai 2013). There was also insufficient oversight of the derivative markets and a lack of clear visibility towards the magnitude of the linkages between the shadow and regulated banking sectors and the financial institutions. Banks are tasked with regulating money supply via the directive of the central bank. Some of the roles of banks include crating money, being the principle allocator of credit funds available to the public, they act as the managers of a country’s payment system and they are the depositories of the public in matters relating their financial savings (Connor 2005). The bank’s regulatory role is divided into three functions which include controlling the supply of money in the economy, meliorating matters regarding equity and efficiency of intermediation of finances and preventing systematic risk. The measures undertaken to regulate banks are because banks need to be streamlined in order to prevent them from using short term strategies to increase their returns and also to prevent firms from adopting bad behaviors that are against the moral code of conduct (Kolb 2011). The regulations also aid customers to develop a degree of confidence and comfort which can only be facilita ted by the institution of the regulatory measures. Three have been a wide variety of measures instituted globally in order to address regulatory reform to deal with the shortcomings highlighted by the effects of the global financial crisis. The main aim of the reform platform has been to find an optimum point where productive risks that are responsible for

Essay+week journal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Essay+week journal - Assignment Example The responsibilities of individuals, organizations, and government entail proposing informed principles related to the dilemma of climate change in China. United States will come in to address the process because of the economic benefits of China. There are firms in United States that have outsourced their work to China to save on cost and increase the volume of production. The White House acknowledges climate change to have direct impact on innovation, economic growth and the sustainable development of both China and United States. Snre.umich.edu evaluates climate change in China by addressing the viewpoints, roles, and efforts of United States and China. Climate Change in China calls for the commitment of all the countries with high emissions to put in measures on reducing the release. A bilateral agreement between United States and China was instituted in 2014 to encourage safe industrial production through governmental commitment. However, a multilateral agreement on climate change in China would have boosted the efforts but it was impossible to seek global commitment. United States and China are involved in bilateral agreements because they are the leading countries with highest carbon emissions. China should be optimistic about the challenge of climate change because of the possible dangers that it poses to other countries. The People’s Republic of China has envisioned a platform where the energy goals are met but with reduced emissions. An investment in the energy innovation would come in handy to help address emissions. The method can utilize the efforts of enterprises, regions and countries instead of restricting the efforts to china alone. The next ten or twenty years in China might offset the yield and infrastructure in the country (npr.org). The huge impacts of climate change call for bilateral agreements with the leading countries in carbon emissions. However, China should play an integral role in the noble cause of fighting climate change to

Issues and trends on education all over the world & Magna Carta for Essay

Issues and trends on education all over the world & Magna Carta for Public School Teachers(philippines) - Essay Example (Papastergiou, Marina, 2008 – 2009) Such a trend puts an end to classroom monotony, reduces the work load of the teacher and at the same time making learning an enjoyable experience. According to the ‘Early Childhood Education Journal’ (2009) Educational Programs such as â€Å"Every Child Matters† â€Å"Education for all† and â€Å"Sure Start† and Kindergarten programs such as the ‘Froebelian kindergarten and the â€Å"Montessori† such as â€Å"Casa Die Bambini† (Children’s house) (Saracho, Olivia N.; Spodek, Bernard, 2009) Programs are all ‘Child – Centered’ and are very much in keeping with the contemporary educational patterns. Other trends in the field of education include the integration of research and the best educational practices during the learning experience in the classroom. Incorporating a highly competent faculty who are specialized in both theory and practice and a continuous professional development and upgrading of schools on a regular basis. Besides using multi-media for teaching in the Classroom, the education rendered should be child- centered and effective so it prepares the child for life in the society. is a declaration policy by the government that was brought about for promoting and improving the economic and social status for all the public school teachers. The policy Sought to improve both the working as well as living conditions of the teachers. It was the guideline in terms of strategies to be followed in terms of carrier prospects and employment in the teaching profession. (Sec.1) The Magna Carta had certain specifications regarding qualification and recruitment of teachers at different levels i. e. Kindergarten, primary, elementary, High School etc. It enumerates rules which cover the Conduct of teachers, Tenure of Service, period of probation, transfer and safeguarding issues, Administrative and

Do studies of genetic variations in osteoporosis tell us anything Essay

Do studies of genetic variations in osteoporosis tell us anything useful - Essay Example Through the use of various genetic methods, the genes contributing to or responsible in the development of osteoporosis are now identified. It is estimated that the genetic components and variations account for 50 to 90 % of the total BMD variations in the osteoporosis patients (Ferrari and Rizzoli, 2005). Findings in researches show that there are five key regions that are significantly associated with bone mineral density (Styrkarsdottir et al, 2008). These include receptor activator of nuclear factor -B ligand gene or RANKL, the osteoprotegrin gene or OPG, the estrogen receptor 1 gene or the ESR 1, the BTB domain containing 40 gene or ZBTB40 and the major histocompatibility complex region 6p21 respectively (Styrkarsdottir et al, 2008). Polymorphism has been suggested in the areas of VDR or vitamin D receptor, ESR1 or estrogen receptor alpha, type I collagen genes or the COL1A1 etc. (Zmuda, Sheu and Moffet, 2006). VDR gene variants are associated with differences in body height as well as bone size determination (Fang et al, 2007). However, VDR gene mutations have been implicated in many bone disorders including 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D-resistant rickets, osteoporosis etc. (Uitterlinden et al, 2002). Other genes identified include alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein or AHSG, parathyroid hormones, bone G1a protein (BGP), transforming growth factor beta, PTHR1 and IL-6. the difference in the allele frequencies among Chinese and Caucasian populations were at VDR-ApaI and PTH-BstBI loci respectively. In the case of osteoporosis, IL-6 becomes more active as the key substance that limits its activity, that is the estrogen is reduced in the post menopausal women, which leads to increased breakdown of the bone structure. The genetic loci identified in bone metabolism include COL1A1, TGF beta 1, SOST, VDR, ER alpha,LRBP5, BMP2 and IL-6 respectively. First deciding on the topic of research carried out the research. Currently there are many researches that are

Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Geography - Essay Example Physical determinism was heavily criticized and it was stated that the theory favored imperialism and racism. Therefore, it was recognized as inappropriate base for ethical considerations how interactions between people and nature, particularly, global land use, should be built. Environmental possibilism is not as strict as determinism and states that physical conditions determine human culture only to certain extent. In other words, people take to account their physical environment while building society, but are not defined by it1. Environmental probabilism extends the previous theory and argues that physical conditions allow for numerous variations in ways how people could interfere with nature. Particularly, the concept describes that there could develop a lot of probable human behaviors within one region2. In such way, environmental probabilism explains such phenomena as different cultures existing at the same areas and is one of the least controversial and most powerful geograp hical theories, which provide explanations what the relationship between humanity and surrounding is, how people are supposed to exploit natural resources and specifically could be used as valid guide for global land use considerations. 2. What is the most important human land use? What land use is the least important?   The main spheres, which are associated with human land use, include agriculture, mine-working, development of urban areas, deforestation in the process of wood harvesting in order to use it for further house-hold use and construction, using land for animal husbandry. Such heavy exploitation of land resources has led to various negative consequences like deforestation and irrigation of land3. According to IPCC Special Report on Climate Change (2000), there are seven spheres of human land-use activities, which essentially influence environment: â€Å"conversion of natural ecosystems to permanent croplands, conversion of natural ecosystems for shifting of cultivatio n, conversion of natural ecosystems to pasture, abandonment of croplands, abandonment of pastures, harvest of timber, and establishment of tree plantations† (Sutton, 2004).   On contrary the following categories are supposed to be less exploited in human land use: Land under Residential/Industrial/Transportation Facilities, Land under Protective Cover  (greenhouses and other urban use; vegetable growing, home gardening, residential parks, golf courses, etc.), Land under Temporary Crops Requiring Wetland Conditions  (wet-foot crops such as irrigated rice and jute), Land under Temporary Crops  (annuals; cultivated with crops with a growing cycle of under 1 year) (IPCC Special Report on Climate Change 2000) 3. Are global land uses sustainable? Are U.S. land uses sustainable?  Why or why not? According to An Overview of Key Environmental Issue, â€Å"land use refers to the purposes to which humans commit land cover such as forests and grasslands†4.   Nowadays it is commonly accepted that human land use could cause undesirable changes to ecosystem affecting land cover and land water greatly5. Such human activities as agriculture, logging, ranching, and industrial performance, lead to increased emissions of carbon dioxide gases

Ohms law Essay Example for Free

Ohms law Essay Predictions 1. The longer the wire, the more it will resist the flow of electrons 2. The wider the wire the less resistance it shall have. 3. Copper will be the wire which has the less resistance. 4. The different types of wire will have different levels of resistance. Accuracy I am intending to also get a reading for the length zero also using the crocodile clips and keeping the circuit identical. This shall be my control. I suspect that there will be resistance both in the circuit wires and in the multimeters. This will mean that the values obtained for resistance of the wire shall be slightly too high. By subtracting the resistance value of the circuit wire from the resistance calculations I will get a more accurate set of results. Also as I intend to draw a best fit line for my results, if all the points are slightly too high the gradient will be dramatically altered. The way in which the readings are being taken is designed so that the readings are random but in an orderly way so that I can spot any mistakes. Method Method used The method used was identical to that explained under the planning section, above. The results (i. e. readings on the multimeters), were taken down and put into tables. The results were as follows: Results For nickel chromium wire, SWG 30 Length (cm) Width (mm) Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) T3Length (cm) Width (mm) Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) For nickel chromium wire, SWG 22 Length (cm) Width (mm) Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) For copper wire, swg 30 Length (cm) Width (mm) Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) Try 1 Try 2 Try 3 Ave. Try 1 Try 2 Try 3 Ave. For constantan wire, swg 30 Length (cm) Width (mm). Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) For manganane wire, swg 30 Length (cm) Width (mm) Current Readings (Amps) Voltage Readings (Volts) Resistance values For Nickel Chromium Wire, SWG 30 Length (cm) Current (A) Voltage (V) Resistance (? )For Nickel Chromium Wire, SWG 28 Length (cm) Current (A) Voltage (V) Resistance (? ) For Nickel Chromium Wire, SWG 24 Length (cm) Current (A) Voltage (V)Resistance (? ) Patterns and trends It can be quite clearly seen in most of my results that when a graph of length and resistance are plotted the result is a straight line. In my case I have obtained a scatter graph with a very strong positive correlation. In graph 1 It can be seen that there are four straight lines passing through the origin. These straight lines are the values for Nickel Chromium at different gauges. The gauge values are as follows: Gauge Diameter (mm)Â   graph two, it can seen that this is not a relationship of direct proportionality as the correlation doesnt point towards the origin. Also from graph one, it can be seen that the resistance increases as the length does. All these lines are straight and they all pass through the origin, so I think it is appropriate to conclude that Resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire. Finally it can be seen from graph three that the resistance in different types of wire varies according to the type. Keeping the gauge constant this was tested and the results were as follows: Nickel Chromium is the most resistant, Manganane is the second most resistance, Constantan is third, And the least resistant is copper. All the evidence her proves that my results agree with my hypothesis. (c. f. section P). Evaluation Reliability The reliability of these results is quite good. This is because the procedure is relatively straight forward, and the numbers are not difficult to record. I think the results are certainly reliable enough to support both of my conclusions firmly. Anomalus results. There are a few anomalus results throughout the experiment. The resistance values in the table are not always increasing, and this is not always occurring at a steady rate. Good example of which are the readings for 40 and 50 cm on the copper wire. I think that this is just a mistake in taking down the results or possibly we didnt wait foe the voltmeter to stabilize. Experimental errors These could include many things, the most likely of which are a short circuit, The wire may have heated up causing less resistance, and the readings on the multimeters could have been inaccurate. Further work This could include finding a more varied set of results, testing more types of wires. It could also include taking more readings to get better averages. I would suggest using all the rest of the equipment in the same way. Also one could try to investigate temperature changes by using insulated wires and a tray of cold/warm or hot water. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Electricity and Magnetism section.

Freedom of Expression and Right to be Forgotten

Freedom of Expression and Right to be Forgotten How best can the tension between freedom of expression and the right to be forgotten be resolved? Thesis statement The right to be forgotten is one of the important human rights to protect individuals privacy. It has been assumed that the right to be forgotten (RTBF) breaches the freedom of expression and that it justifies censorship. However, the tension between the RTBF and freedom of expression could be resolved by raising individuals awareness and understanding of this right and its role in promoting individuals personal information and their freedom on the Internet. Justification This paper considers how the tension between freedom of speech and the RTBF can be effectively resolved due to the growing international concern recognised as pertaining to the increasing conflict between informational privacy and the protection of online communication in the European Union (EU) due to the European Court of Justices (ECJs) decision in Case C-131/12 Google Spain SL, Google Inc. v. Agencia Espaà ±ola de Proteccià ³n de Datos, Mario Costeja Gonzà ¡lez [2014] All ER (EC) 717. This is because the achievement of informational privacy is meant to be weighed against the recognition of freedom of expression as a right for individuals to have been identified under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights 2000 along with the European Convention on Human Rights 1950. Therefore, the key question to be resolved in this instance through the completion of this paper is: what can be done with a view to properly balancing the achievement of informational privacy with the recognition of the freedom of expression in the EU moving forward as a result of the ECJs decision in Costeja Case? Literature Review When it comes to considering the literature to have arisen in this area, there has long been a significant amount of controversy regarding the practicality involved recognising a right to be forgotten as a human right internationally regarding access to information in view of current rulings vagueness for the purpose of looking to implement this kind of right (McNealy, 2012). The reason for this is that there has been some significant uneasiness about the effect of the recognition of the right to be forgotten upon freedom of expression as a right (Craig and de Bà ºrca, 2015). In addition, the same is also arguably true of the way in which the right to be interacts with the right to privacy. In order to discuss this problem, the RTBF must be defined. McNealy (2012) and Koops (2012) are agreed that the RTBF means the right to have information deleted after a certain time, the right to have a clean slate, and the right to be connected only to present information. Based on this definition, the RTBF is an optional right that individuals could benefit from it to delete their personal information. However, from data protection and internet quality perspective, it has been claimed if the RTBF would serve to reduce the internets quality effectively through a combination of censorship and the rewriting of history to suit individuals (McNealy, 2012). A supporting view of what has been mentioned, Gattuso (2015) believed that although the RTBF is seems to be a way of protecting individuals privacy, it is a new phase of censorship upon internet world and it has been established only to justify the censorship. Moreover, linked to McNealy point of view, Lee (2015), argued that one of the main reasons for the clash between freedom of expression and the RTBF is based on individuals right to ask search engines to delete specific information which will lead to reduce search controllers data. In other words, it could be said that there is a wide held assumptio n assume that the RTBF is been recognized not to protect privacy but to breach the freedom of expression and to control web pages and limit it access. However, it has been argued that there is a need to consider the right to be forgotten in this regard is in view of the fact that the reality is that there are few other protections that have been made available against the harm that, for example, the sharing of revenge porn can do in practice to individuals reputations in public (McNealy, 2012). In other words, it could be argued that the RTBF is one way of protecting individuals privet life, and, as an optional right, it might play a significant role in terms of reduce the negative impacts of technology by helping people, who found their personal information exposed, to live without being stigmatized (Wright,2015). Which means that the main aim pf this right is to encourage individuals to live within their societies without the harmful effect of the new Yellow Press on their personal life (Hughes and Richards, 2015). In regards to freedom of expression, both freedom of expression and the privacy are fundamental human rights, and none of these rights suppresses the other. However, it has been assumed that although there are numerous benefits associated with the ECJs decision with a view to safeguarding individuals interests regarding both their personal information and their image publicly, there are also several important detriments to be accounted for (Franztziou, 2014). For example, it has been claimed that the decision of the ECJ in Mario Costejas case will contribute to minimizethe exercise of freedom of expression as one of the most important fundamental human right. Moreover, ECJ decision could be utilised to then suit individuals personal interests regarding freedom of informations recognition along with what is deemed in the public interest where the decision of the Court is applied strictly in this area of concern moving forward and it will reduce the full expression right (Franztziou, 2 014). Therefore, Rushdie (2015) stressed that the freedom of expression must be absolute and protected, otherwise, it will lose its sacredness. However, ECJs decision in Case of Mario Costeja has proved particularly important regarding the internets operation along with online governances future in line with the tension between freedom of expression and the RTBF (Harvard Law Review, 2014). The court clearly stated specific conditions to allow individuals to ask search engines to delete their personal information, the information must be inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant which aim to reduce the exploitation of the RTBF (the ECJs). To conclude, when it comes to balancing the achievement of informational privacy with the recognition of the freedom of expression in the EU moving forward as a result of the ECJs decision in the Costeja Case, it is arguable the ECJs balancing approach to have been taken in this case could be considered to be little more than an incremental move (Lytras, 2015). Moreover, it could be state that the RTBF is not an absolute right, this is because it is also to be noted that there have also been certain limitations with regard to the application of the right to be forgotten in a jurisdiction, including the lack of ability to be able to require the removal of information that is held by companies beyond the remit of the EU (Horspool and Humphreys, 2016). The reason for this is that there is a need to understand that there is not currently a universal framework in place so as to permit individuals to then exert control over the way in which their image is presented publicly online(ibid). O n the other words, although the privacy right is an important human right, the RTBF is not an idol right which seeks to suppression other fundamental human right, in particular, freedom of expression. (Factsheet on the Right to be forgotten ruling, 2014). Based on what has been presented it could notice that there is no direct relation between the RTBF and freedom of expression (Steinbart et al, 2015). Moreover, it could be argued that both rights are important and been balanced, and the tension between two rights could be solved by rising individuals awareness and search companies that both rights are complementary, not opposite. List of references Bert-Jaap Koops, Forgetting footprints, shunning shadows: A critical analysis of the right Case C-131/12 Google Spain SL, Google Inc. v. Agencia Espaà ±ola de Proteccià ³n de Datos, Mario Costeja Gonzà ¡lez [2014] All ER (EC) 717 Craig, P. and de Bà ºrca, G. (2015) EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials. 6th Edition, Oxford University Press. European Commission (2014) Factsheet on the Right to be forgotten ruling [online] available from >http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/files/factsheets/factsheet_data_protection_en.pdf< [20 February 2017]. European Convention on Human Rights 1950 European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights 2000 European Union Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC Franztziou, E. (2014) Further Developments in the Right to be Forgotten: The European Court of Justices Judgment in Case C-131/12, Google Spain, SL, Google Inc v Agencia Espanola de Proteccion de Datos Human Rights Law Review, 14(4), 761. Gattuso, J.L. (2015) Europes latest export: Internet censorship [online] available from [20 February 2017] Harvard Law Review. (2014) Case Comment: Google Spain SL, Google Inc. v. Agencia Espaà ±ola de Proteccià ³n de Datos Harvard Law Review, 128, 735. Horspool, M. and Humphreys, M (2016) European Union Law. Oxford: 9th Edition, Oxford University Press. Lee, E. (2015) The right to be forgotten v. Free speech [online] available from: [20 February 2017]. Lytras, C. (2015) Right to be Forgotten: Europes cutting edge weapon to fight Google? European Public Law: EU eJournal, 12(106). McNealy, J. (2012) The Emerging Conflict Between Newsworthiness and the Right to be Forgotten, North Kentucky Law Review, 39(2), 119. Richards, Neil M. and Hughes, Kirsty, The Atlantic Divide on Privacy and Speech (2015). Andrew T Kenyon (ed), Comparative Defamation and Privacy Law (Cambridge Press 2015) Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2648307. Salman Rushdie, Salman Rushdie on Charlie Hebdo: Freedom of speech must be absolute (Mashable, 15 Jan 2015) [20 February 2017] Steinbart, P.J., Truog, D., Keith, M.J. and Babb, J. (2015) The right to be forgotten: Exploring consumer privacy attitudes about the final stage of the information life cycle. to be forgotten in big data practice, 8 SCRIPTED 229, 236 (2012).

Michael Polanyi and Lucian Blaga as Philosophers of Knowledge :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Michael Polanyi and Lucian Blaga as Philosophers of Knowledge ABSTRACT: Polanyi and Blaga are two centennial philosophers who could be compared. They both are philosophers who have abandoned the attempt to analyze science as the form of culture capable of complete objectivity and the language solely in terms of its referential force, to make representational knowledge impersonal and to split fact from value. 1. Polanyi's epistemology Polanyi and Blaga are two centennial philosophers who could be put into comparison. Both are philosophers who have abandoned the attempt to analyze science as the form of culture capable of complete objectivity, to analyze language solely in terms of its referential force, and to make representational knowledge impersonal and to split fact from value. Michael Polanyi affirms the irreducible involvement of personal commitment in the perception and understanding of transpersonal reality. He is against the representational expressivist theory of language. According to his theory all assertion of fact expresses beliefs, and are essentially accompanied by feelings of satisfaction or of desire. The act of knowing includes an appraisal, a personal coefficient that shapes all factual knowledge. Polanyi emphasizes the role of the activity of the knower in the formation of knowledge and also is aware of their variability while insisting that we aim at truth 'with universal intent' 'although we can never quite get there'. His book Personal Knowledge should help to restore science to its rightful place in an integrated culture as part of the whole person's continuing endeavor to make sense of the totality of his experience. 'True' means something different in different societies. The critical period of Western philosophy, opened by Descartes and brought to its coming to an end, and the post-critical era is emerging. Michael Polanyi, it appears to me, is the most important philosophical figure opening up this new direction and delineating its basic elements. Regarding the critical pretensions to have found a way, either through philosophical rationality or by means of scientific method, to a universal perspective, Polanyi points out that thinkers of the critical period have pursued 'a mistaken ideal of objectivity'. Thus, when we claim greater objectivity for Copernican theory, we do imply that its excellence is, not a matter of personal taste on our part, but an inherent quality deserving universal acceptance by rational creatures. We abandon the cruder anthropocentrism of our senses, but only favor of a more ambitious anthropocentrism of our reason (PK p. Michael Polanyi and Lucian Blaga as Philosophers of Knowledge :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays Michael Polanyi and Lucian Blaga as Philosophers of Knowledge ABSTRACT: Polanyi and Blaga are two centennial philosophers who could be compared. They both are philosophers who have abandoned the attempt to analyze science as the form of culture capable of complete objectivity and the language solely in terms of its referential force, to make representational knowledge impersonal and to split fact from value. 1. Polanyi's epistemology Polanyi and Blaga are two centennial philosophers who could be put into comparison. Both are philosophers who have abandoned the attempt to analyze science as the form of culture capable of complete objectivity, to analyze language solely in terms of its referential force, and to make representational knowledge impersonal and to split fact from value. Michael Polanyi affirms the irreducible involvement of personal commitment in the perception and understanding of transpersonal reality. He is against the representational expressivist theory of language. According to his theory all assertion of fact expresses beliefs, and are essentially accompanied by feelings of satisfaction or of desire. The act of knowing includes an appraisal, a personal coefficient that shapes all factual knowledge. Polanyi emphasizes the role of the activity of the knower in the formation of knowledge and also is aware of their variability while insisting that we aim at truth 'with universal intent' 'although we can never quite get there'. His book Personal Knowledge should help to restore science to its rightful place in an integrated culture as part of the whole person's continuing endeavor to make sense of the totality of his experience. 'True' means something different in different societies. The critical period of Western philosophy, opened by Descartes and brought to its coming to an end, and the post-critical era is emerging. Michael Polanyi, it appears to me, is the most important philosophical figure opening up this new direction and delineating its basic elements. Regarding the critical pretensions to have found a way, either through philosophical rationality or by means of scientific method, to a universal perspective, Polanyi points out that thinkers of the critical period have pursued 'a mistaken ideal of objectivity'. Thus, when we claim greater objectivity for Copernican theory, we do imply that its excellence is, not a matter of personal taste on our part, but an inherent quality deserving universal acceptance by rational creatures. We abandon the cruder anthropocentrism of our senses, but only favor of a more ambitious anthropocentrism of our reason (PK p.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay -- To Kill a Mockingbird Essa

To Walk in Another Man's Shoes '' You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view''; (30). Atticus Finch, a popular lawyer, and the father of the main character in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, teaches this lesson to his children. This idea does not just apply to Maycomb County in the 1930s, but to everyone everywhere. This story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. Most whites are very prejudiced and don't care to hear a Negro's opinions or thoughts on anything. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explains that a person has to try to see a situation from the other person's point of view before they make a judgement. Scout begins to realize that people's ignorance isn't always their fault. Her teacher, Miss Caroline, is new in Maycomb, and doesn't know about the families living there. Scout was very upset that she got scolded for explaining the caste system to the teacher, but then she began to understand. ''...but if Walter and I had put ourselves in her shoes we'd have seen it was an honest mistake on her part. We could not expect her to learn all of Maycomb's ways in one day, and we could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.'';(30). A lot of the time, people don't stop to understand a person, but are quick to make judgements. All people need to do is to try to understand why the person said what they did, try to see where he or she is coming from. Only then can mankind know what to do in a...

The Merchant Of Venice: Portias Suitors :: essays research papers

Compare and contrast Portia’s three suitors, examining their characters Shakespeare highlights three of Portia’s suitors, the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon and Bassanio. He does this to heighten dramatic tension, as these three men are the most important candidates to win Portia’s hand in marriage. They reveal the contents of the three caskets and their different characters as exposed as being proud, vain and humble. They also emphasise the racial prejudices of Venice a place where many races clash. Their attitudes towards the caskets and their choices indicate what their character is like. This essay will compare and contrast the three suitors and will explore how Shakespeare influences the audience’s attitudes towards the three men. The Prince of Morocco is the first suitor of the three suitors we are introduced to. His first line is, ‘Mislike me not for my complexion’ (Act II Scene i) He is anxious to compensate for the colour of his skin. He shows himself to be ashamed and insecure. However his character is proud because after he remarks on his skin colour he proceeds to defend it and boasts about himself, ‘ ...this aspect of mine/ Hath fear’d the valiant†¦The best regarded virgins of our clime/Have lov’d it too...’ (Act II Scene i) He challenges Portia to compare his blood with the whitest of men to see whose is the reddest. ‘Bring me the fairest creature†¦And let us make incision for your love/ To prove whose blood is reddest, or mine.’ (Act II Scene i) This would be a way to suggest that Morocco was as noble as any white man was because red blood signified courage and virility. A lot of emphasis is placed on Morocco’s skin colour. His long-winded speeches full of false and extravagant praise makes him sound insincere, ‘†¦all the world desires her; /From all corners of the earth they come,/ To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint:’ (Act II Scene vii) In contrast his exit is short and dignified, in total disparity to his entrance and long speeches before choosing a casket. ‘†¦I have too griev’d a heart /To take a tedious leave: leave losers part.’ (Act II Scene vii) This indicates he does not easily accept defeat. He explains his thoughts on each of the caskets as he reads the inscriptions on them. He says the lead casket is not worth hazarding everything for and quickly dismisses it. When he comes to the silver casket he comments, The Merchant Of Venice: Portias Suitors :: essays research papers Compare and contrast Portia’s three suitors, examining their characters Shakespeare highlights three of Portia’s suitors, the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon and Bassanio. He does this to heighten dramatic tension, as these three men are the most important candidates to win Portia’s hand in marriage. They reveal the contents of the three caskets and their different characters as exposed as being proud, vain and humble. They also emphasise the racial prejudices of Venice a place where many races clash. Their attitudes towards the caskets and their choices indicate what their character is like. This essay will compare and contrast the three suitors and will explore how Shakespeare influences the audience’s attitudes towards the three men. The Prince of Morocco is the first suitor of the three suitors we are introduced to. His first line is, ‘Mislike me not for my complexion’ (Act II Scene i) He is anxious to compensate for the colour of his skin. He shows himself to be ashamed and insecure. However his character is proud because after he remarks on his skin colour he proceeds to defend it and boasts about himself, ‘ ...this aspect of mine/ Hath fear’d the valiant†¦The best regarded virgins of our clime/Have lov’d it too...’ (Act II Scene i) He challenges Portia to compare his blood with the whitest of men to see whose is the reddest. ‘Bring me the fairest creature†¦And let us make incision for your love/ To prove whose blood is reddest, or mine.’ (Act II Scene i) This would be a way to suggest that Morocco was as noble as any white man was because red blood signified courage and virility. A lot of emphasis is placed on Morocco’s skin colour. His long-winded speeches full of false and extravagant praise makes him sound insincere, ‘†¦all the world desires her; /From all corners of the earth they come,/ To kiss this shrine, this mortal breathing saint:’ (Act II Scene vii) In contrast his exit is short and dignified, in total disparity to his entrance and long speeches before choosing a casket. ‘†¦I have too griev’d a heart /To take a tedious leave: leave losers part.’ (Act II Scene vii) This indicates he does not easily accept defeat. He explains his thoughts on each of the caskets as he reads the inscriptions on them. He says the lead casket is not worth hazarding everything for and quickly dismisses it. When he comes to the silver casket he comments,

Las 432 †Genetically Modified Foods Essay

It has been determined that GMO’s are made up of plants, animals, viruses and bacteria that are created in laboratories. Scientist started experimenting with GMO’s in the early 1950’s with investigation of plants DNA. In the 1970’s scientist developed the first genetically engineered organism. By the early 1990’s biotechnology had expanded on production of GM foods to the public, but this brought fourth concerns. There are also those who believe that the laws and regulations that are attributed to genetically modified foods have been influenced through both the media and political aspects. These influences have brought about worries to GM food consumers and they started comparing the similarities and differences in organic foods and GM foods. Consumers want to know what GM food products they have consumed and will be aware of any affects that may be acquired with consumption. Not only are there consumer challenges that must be faced with these technological experimentations, but also the impacts that may be developed environmentally or effects that may incur with nature and wildlife. Some societies are worried about how the rich will prosper and the poorer countries will suffer and possibly go hungry. Some religions and groups protest eating genes and do not want to consume such un-natural foods and other concerns still the unknown effects on human allergies and transfer of antibiotic resistance to intestine bacterial flora or pathogenic bacteria in our bodies. Genetically Modified Organisms in Food Thesis: Consumers today have a right to know if genetically modified foods are harmful to our health, the environment and our economy. In order to be able to answer these questions more research needs to be done. Summary Controversy around genetically modified foods is becoming big news and sorting through volumes of information can be intimidating. The public is asking a lot of questions about GM foods and they are also raising concerns about the effects these foods may have on their health or the environment. There are different advantages and disadvantages of GM foods, although to what extent they can help or harm humans and the environment is a debatable aspect of this technology. The time has come to look at the decisions that we make about genetic engineering in food crops and if it will have permanent consequences on our food production capacity. Are genetically modified foods putting us at a crossroads in terms of the agricultural legacy that we will leave behind for our children and grandchildren? Modern technology has given us the ability to go beyond selective breeding. Organisms can now be modified by moving genes from one species to another and by introducing synthetic genetic material into their genomes. Humans no longer simply select from variations present in the population: they create new variations! Some find our new power exciting. They dream of crops with greater resistance to disease and insect pests, pigs with healthy fats, and a level of agricultural production sufficient to feed everyone on the planet. Others fear that we have crossed an important boundary and are now tinkering with living systems that we understand incompletely. They question our ability to predict the consequences of our actions and are afraid that we may disrupt the delicate natural order. GMO Technology I. What Are GMOs? GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are plants, animals, viruses and bacteria that are created in the laboratory. Their DNA (genes) has been modified through the use of gene splicing techniques in a desire to create â€Å"new† organisms. The technology involves removing the DNA of one species and inserting it into another species, resulting in new and different varieties of plant, animal, viral and bacterial genes which don’t naturally occur in nature or by hybridizing (Smith, 2012, para. 7). Other names for the technology are â€Å"modern technology or gene technology,† genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology, and biotechnology (World Health Organization (WHO), 2012, para. 2). GMOs are used to create genetically modified plants which in turn are used to create genetically modified crops for human consumption and as animal feed. Developers believe that producers and consumers would be interested in these foods due to their â€Å"built-in† advantages of lower prices, high nutritional value and hardiness. The desire is to achieve crops that are resistant to spoilage, drought, insects and herbicides. At the outset genetically modified (GM) seed manufacturers envisioned their product being used by producers, thus they focused on innovations those farmers, and more generally the food industry, would accept and appreciate (WHO, 2012, para. 3). WHO states that (2012), the initial objective for developing plants based on GM organisms was to improve crop protection. The GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards herbicides† (para. 4). Commodity crops were the First Generation GM crops and included soybean, maize/corn, cotton, canola and sugar beets (Schonwald, 2012, p. 26). GM soybeans and canola have permeated the market and can be found in most processed foods, e.g. , spaghetti, candy Schonwald, 2012, p. 25). There was expectation that with the success of first generation crops, biotech specialty crops (produce) would follow, focusing more on consumer tastes. According to Kent Bradford, director of University of California (UC) at Davis’s Seed Biotechnology Center (2012), â€Å"these crops hadn’t been commercialized since 1998† (Schonwald, 2012, p. 26). The author wondered why, and so enlisted the assistance of Kent Bradford for answers on â€Å"what was going on with bioengineered specialty crops† (Schonwald, 2012, p. 26). Bradford and a collaborator, Jamie Miller, found that research on specialty crops was underway and had never ceased. The research involved input traits that are important to agriculture such as â€Å"disease resistance,† â€Å"insect resistance,† â€Å"adaptability to certain environments† and output traits that â€Å"improve taste and texture and could lead to changes in the dining experience of the future† (Schonwald, 2012, p. 26). Schonwald says Bradford contends that (2012), â€Å"There was research on 46 different species with more than 300 traits being tested† (p. 26. ). So things were going on at the research level, but the results were not moving forward. Bradford found this was due to regulatory controls. Because of the lack of consumer confidence in transgenic breeding the regulatory process for genetically modified foods was much different than for non-GMO foods. In contrast, foods using classic breeding processes were considered safe for consumption. But GMO foods were â€Å"guilty until proven innocent† (Schonwald, 2012, p. 26). Schonwald reports that (2012), â€Å"A genetically engineered crop must pass review by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration before it is commercialized. The cost could range from $50,000 to tens of millions of dollars to win regulatory approval. For every â€Å"transgenic event,† the genetic engineer must show exactly what genes went into the plant and how they function, and then prove how the plant makeup has been altered. That research is costly. So is plant storage. Once a transgenic creation is spawned at the Plant Transformational Facility, it is whisked to the UC Davis Controlled Environment Facility, where it will stay in a tightly secured warehouse. Or it will be airmailed to some other place, where it will live out its life in another intensely biosecure environment. The process is costly and time-consuming, which partly explains why biotech crop development is largely in the hands of the agribusiness giants – the Monsanto’s, Syngenta’s, and Bayer Crop Sciences of the world—who have the resources to undertake the process. With such high approval costs, big companies have favored commodity crops with market potential for hundreds of millions of dollars to sales, not tens of millions† ( p. 26) According to Bradford, non-governmental organizations – Greenpeace and the Union of Concerned Scientists – were responsible for the stringent governmental handling of the biotech specialty crops. The $20 million organic foods industry labored to stop the proliferation of GMO foods. They did so by launching a campaign against GMOs, inundating the USDA with thousands of letters (â€Å"275,026 to be exact†) expressing anti-GMO sentiments. This led to the non-inclusion of GMO foods under the USDA’s standards of organic produce (Schonwald, 2012, p. 27). U. S. Leads in Biotech AgricultureMore than 170 million acres of biotech crops are under cultivation in the United States, more than twice Brazil’s acreage, which ranks second. Experts credit faster technological advances, more lenient regulations and expanding economic benefits for the U. S. lead. Biotech acreage by Country, 2011| Country| Acres (in millions)| Biotech crops| United States| 170. 5| Corn, soybean, cotton, canola, sugar beet, alfalfa, papaya, squash| Brazil| 74. 9| Soybean, corn, cotton| Argentina| 58. 6| Soybean, corn, cotton| India| 26. 2| Cotton| Canada| 25. 7| Canola, corn, soybean, sugar beet| China| 9. 6| Cotton, papaya, poplar, tomato, sweet pepper| Paraguay| 6. 9| Soybean| Pakistan| 6. 4| Cotton| South America| 5. 7| Soybean, corn, cotton| Uruguay| 3. 2| Soybean, corn|. Source: Clive James, â€Å"Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2011,† International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, 2011, p. 2, www. isaaa. org/purchasepublications/itemdescription. asp? ItemType=BRIEFS&Control=IB043-2011| (McClure, 2012, p. 724) Below is a list of tips on how to say no to GMOs: Tip #1: Buy Organic Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Buy products labeled â€Å"100% organic† â€Å"organic,† or â€Å"made with organic ingredients. † You can be doubly sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal (see next tip). Tip #2: Look for Non-GMO Project Seals Products that carry the Non-GMO Project seal are independently verified to be in compliance with North America’s only third party standard for GMO avoidance, including testing of at-risk ingredients. Tip #3: Avoid At-Risk Ingredients Even if it’s not labeled organic or verified non-GMO, you can still avoid products made with ingredients that are likely derived from GMOs. The eight most common GM food crops are: *Corn (as in corn oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, and other corn-based ingredients) *Soybeans (as in soybean oil, soy protein, soy lecithin, soy milk, tofu, and other soy-based ingredients). *Canola (as in canola oil) *Sugar beets (the â€Å"sugar† listed on food labels is almost always derived from sugar cane and GM sugar beets) *Most Hawaiian papaya *A small amount of zucchini and yellow squash *Also, beware of dairy products, which may come from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone, and meats from animals (including farmed fish) that have been fed GM foods. [Instead] look for dairy products labeled No rBGH or rBST, artificial hormone-free, or organic; wild-caught fish; and meat labeled organic or 100% grass-fed. Tip #4: Use Non-GMO Shopping Guides. Download either the new Non-GMO Shopping Tips brochure or Non-GMO Shopping Guide at www. nongmoshoppingguide. com; in order to help identify, avoid GM foods and find hidden GM ingredients on food labels. If you have an iPhone, download the ShopNoGMO guide for free from the iTunes store. Copyright of Better Nutrition is the property of Active Interest Media, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use (Smith, 2012, p. 14). II. Scientific Techniques and Experiments Various techniques are used to transfer DNA genes into the host cell. Researchers have been perfecting these techniques over the past 40 years. In one technique, target cells are bombarded with heavy metals coated with the gene transferred have been bombarded. Yet another technique transfers genes by using a naturally occurring bacterium along with a pulse of electricity to introduce genes into the targeted cell (McClure, 2012, p. 720). According to McClure (2012), Opponents of GM foods argue that the public should be informed of the techniques used in gene-transferring (p.720). At the Plant Transformation Facility at the UC, Davis more than 15,000 transgenic events have occurred. Transgenic event is the molecular biologists way of describing the blasting of DNA from one life form into another. This building, a short distance from the student union, houses thousands of Petri dishes of microscopic plantlets bathing in pink and fluorescent blue lights. Here biologists use a gas-pump-like tool called the Helium Particle Delivery system to mix sexually incompatible species together. They use gold bullets (literally) to fire genes from one species into another in a bombardment chamber. As a result the â€Å"Davis lab has birthed grapes spiked with jellyfish, tomatoes spiked with carp, transgenic squash, transgenic carrots, and transgenic tomatoes† (Schonwald, 2012, p. 25). In Changing Genes to Feed the World, David Pimentel takes a look at one molecular biologist’s account of plant breeding and the field of genetic engineering of crops. In her book, Mendel in the Kitchen, author Nina Fedoroff compares the contributions of genetically engineered plants with that of early plant breeding research, e. g. , development of hybrid corn, achieved through the transfer of genes within the confines of crop species. This method contributed greatly to the growth of crop yields during the Green Revolution. Specifically, according to Fedoroff (2004), traditional methods of cross breeding were responsible for, â€Å"40 percent of the increase in yields. The remaining 60 percent was due to greater inputs in fossil-fuels energy, fertilizers and pesticides† (Pimentel, 2004, paras. 1-2). Crop yields increased greatly during the years 1950-1983. Globally, 80 percent of the calories consumed by humans came from grains, making the Green Revolution an important feeding mechanism for billions of people around the world (Pimentel, 2004, para. 2). Though the use of traditional breeding methods greatly increased the yield and quality of crops, these methods were quite slow, in comparison to the advances being made in the field of molecular biology and genetic engineering. Before, breeders were required to manually manipulate genetic material within a specific crop to increase yields. Now, through genetic engineering, genes can quickly be transferred from one plant species to another and brought into crops (Pimentel, 2004, para. 3). As more and more genetically modified foods are being integrated into our food systems, there is a need to be able to detect their presence in food products in order to determine if food manufacturers are in â€Å"compliance with labeling requirements† (Yi, Yien-Chian, Foo-Peng Lee, and Nam-Trung, 2009, para. 1). There is a method that allows for the rapid detection of the presence of GMOs in foods and it is called ferrofluid-driven PCR microchip. â€Å"The microchip was fabricated in polymethyl methacrylate by CO? laser ablation and was integrated with three temperature zones. PCR solution was contained in a circular closed micro channel and was driven by magnetic force generated by an external magnet through a small oil-based ferrofluid plug. Successful amplification of genetically modified soya and maize were achieved in less than 13 minutes. This PCR microchip combines advantages of cycling flexibility and quick temperature transitions associated with two existing microchip PCR techniques, and it provides a cost saving and less time-consuming way to conduct preliminary screening of GMOs† (Yi, Yien-Chian, Foo-Peng Lee, & Nam-Trung, 2009, para. 1). History of GMO’s I. Biotechnology Chronology â€Å"1950s – 1960s: Scientists identify genes and begin investigating the role of DNA in plant development. 1953-American biochemist James Watson and British biophysicist Francis Crick describe the structure of DNA, setting the stage for mapping the genetic code. 1967-Lenape potato, a new variety bred for making potato chips is withdrawn from experimental production after high levels of toxin are found. 1970s – 1980s: Scientists begin experimenting with genetic transformation of plants and animals. 1973-Scientists create first genetically engineer organism. 1983-Researchers transfer new DNA into plants, leading to the creation of genetically modified crops. 1989-Calene Inc. receives U. S. patent for gene sequence in GM Flavr Savr tomato. 1990s: Biotech foods are marketed to the public despite environmental and health concerns. 1992-FDA decides not to require labeling of most GM foods, sparking mistrust of the technology. 1993-FDA allows cows to be injected with bovine growth hormone (rBGH) made from genetically modified bacteria, setting off consumer protests. 1994-FDA approves Flavr Savr tomato, first GM food approved for sale to consumers. 1996-Monsanto introduces Roundup Ready soybeans, first of several popular herbicide-tolerant or insecticide-producing crops. 1998- European Union (EU) halts approvals of new GM crops in what is termed an â€Å"unofficial moratorium. † 2000s: Genetically engineered foods face continued criticism despite growing scientific consensus that they do not pose greater safety risks than conventional crops. 2000-Bowing to international demands, U.S. officials agree to label GM commodities for export†¦. Weeds resistant to Roundup discovered in Delaware†¦. Friends of the Earth, a major environmental group, reports that genes from StarLink corn, a GM crop approved only for animal consumption, have been discovered in taco shells. The discovery prompts recalls of corn products and lawsuits, but researchers are unable to document any human health effects†¦. Centers for disease Control study concludes StarLink did not cause allergic reactions claimed by 28 people. 2002-National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy finds that GM crops in the United States produced four billion pounds of additional foods and fiber on the same acreage, improved farm income by $1. 5 billion and reduced pesticide use by 46 million pounds†¦. Monsanto announces it will delay introduction of GM wheat amid concerns from farmers that it will harm exports. 2003-Bollworms resistant to the Bt toxin, an insecticide produced by GM cotton, discovered in the South. 2004-Under U. S. pressure, EU drops de facto ban on GM crops but institutes mandatory labeling; many European stores won’t stock GM foods because of consumer fears. 2008-Monsanto sells unit that produces rBGH, as major grocers including Wal-Mart, Publix and Kroger decline to sell milk from cows treated with the product. 2010-After approving the sale of GM eggplant, India’s environment minister declares a moratorium on the product because of public outcry. 2011-GM crops are grown on 395 million acres of farmland globally, though more than 90 percent is in just three crops: soybeans, corn and cotton. 2012-Anti-GMO groups file petitions containing more than 1 million signatures demanding that the FDA require GM foods to be labeled†¦. Californian vote scheduled for Nov. 6 on ballot initiative requiring labeling for GM foods† (McClure, 2012, p. 727). II. Advantages and Disadvantages The people of the United States (U. S. ) have been unknowingly consuming GMO foods since the 1990s. The Food and Drug Administration scientists warned that these new foods had the capability to produce new allergens and toxins and advised that more thorough testing was needed. But the U. S. government’s position was that GM foods were equivalent to non-GMO foods and failed to require labeling and testing (Smith, 2012, para, 9). According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), eating GMO foods contributes to a number of health risks (Smith, 2012),â€Å"including infertility, immune system issues, accelerated aging, disruption of insulin and cholesterol regulation, gastrointestinal issues, and changes in organs† (para. 9). AAEM reported that doctors most likely are seeing negative health effects in their patients and may not realize that GMO foods are the culprit. Doctors are urged to prescribe non-GMO diets for all of their patients (Smith, 2012, para. 9). The environment is not exempt from the risks of GMO foods. There is the threat of GMO seeds contaminating nearby fields of organic and non-GMO crops. Pesticide usage has dramatically increased over the first thirteen years since the GM crops were introduced. Further, high amounts of herbicide usage on GM herbicide –resistant crops have caused the development of â€Å"superweeds† that adapt to and withstand your typical herbicides (Smith, 2012, para. 10). On the positive side, genetic engineering offers a wonderful solution to farmers, especially those in developing countries, and that is the opportunity for developing perennial grains. As most grains are annual crops, tilling and replanting of the soil is required every single year. This involves an enormous amount of energy each year, including fossil and human energy and strength. Annual tillage also results in soil erosion. Planting perennial grains would mean that farmers would only need to till and replant every five or six years. This would be a major benefit for farmers in developing countries, as tilling for them involves 400 hours per hectare, hand-tilling their fields prior to planting their crops. As such, according to the author, â€Å"plant breeding and genetic engineering will continue to make a tremendous contribution to our food supply† (Smith, 2012, para. ). Other advantages of GM foods include disease resistance, cold tolerance, drought resistance, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and phytoremediation (Whitman, 2012, pp. 2-4). Legal and Political Issues I. Regulations and Laws There have been an abundant number of studies done in the past on American health and safety standards that have demonstrated the inconsistencies of risk assessment. Some standards are rather strict and offer few or no benefits in savings lives, preventing diseases or injuries; while other standards have been negligent and have placed a considerable amount of lives at risk or harm. It is essentially due to the passage of these standards for which the American regulatory policy making has been implanted. In the past, both Congress and the political appointees who head regulatory agencies have been very susceptible to public opinion and public pressures. As a result, the more the American public is prone to worry about a particular risk, the more meticulous American policy-makers are likely to regulate it. â€Å"Therefore, many of the American regulatory policies, especially those between the mid 1960s through the mid 1980s, were characterized by the triumph of â€Å"passion† over â€Å"sound science. † (Vogel, 2001). In 1984, the Federal Government established a formal policy that is referred to as â€Å"The Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology†. This policy describes the Federal system for evaluating products that have been developed using modern biotechnology. â€Å"The Coordinated Framework is based upon health and safety laws developed to address specific product classes and involves the cooperation of three federal regulatory agencies; the EPA, the USDA, and the FDA. The U. S. Government has written new regulations, policies and guidance to implement these laws for biotechnology as products have developed† (United States Regulatory Agencies Unitied Biotechnology Website, 2012). EPA Regulation â€Å"Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA regulates the use of intergeneric microorganisms in commerce or commercial research. The EPA considers intergeneric microorganisms to be those formed from organisms in different genera (genera is the plural of genus, which is a level in a taxonomic classification system based on the relatedness of organisms) or those microorganisms formed with synthetic DNA not from the same genus† (Biotechnology Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act, 2012). â€Å"The EPA believes that inter generic micro organisms have a sufficiently high likelihood of expressing new traits or new combinations of traits to be termed â€Å"new† and warrant EPA review. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Biotechnology Program conducts a screening program for new microorganisms under section 5 of TSCA. In 1997, the EPA published regulations that fully implement its pre-manufacture program for microorganisms under TSCA section 5. Prior to 1997; the EPA operated its biotechnology program in accordance with the 1986 Policy Statement† (Biotechnology Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act, 2012) USDA Regulation. | â€Å"USDA supports the safe and appropriate use of science and technology, including biotechnology, to help meet agricultural challenges and consumer needs of the 21st century. USDA plays a key role in assuring that products produced using biotechnology are safe to be grown and used in the United States. Once these products enter commerce, USDA supports bringing these and other products to the worldwide marketplace† (Bitechnology, 2012). | â€Å"The Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) was originally established in February, 2003 and first met in June, 2003. Under its Charter, the committee is charged with examining the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U. S. food and agriculture system and USDA, and providing guidance to USDA on pressing individual issues, identified by the Office of the Secretary, related to the application of biotechnology in agriculture. The AC21 is a broad-based committee representing a wide range of interests and agricultural expertise† (USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology & 21st Century Agriculture (AC21), 2012). FDA Regulation â€Å"In the Federal Register of May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22984), FDA published its â€Å"Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties†. The 1992 policy clarified the agency’s interpretation of the application of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to human foods and animal feeds derived from new plant varieties and provided guidance to industry on scientific and regulatory issues related to these foods (Genetically Engineereed Plants for Food and Feed, 2012). The 1992 policy applied to all foods derived from all new plant varieties, including varieties that are developed using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology. This site refers to foods derived from plant varieties that are developed using rDNA technology as â€Å"bioengineered foods†Ã¢â‚¬  (Genetically Engineereed Plants for Food and Feed, 2012). â€Å"In the Federal Register of January 18, 2001 (the premarket notification proposal; 66 FR 4706), FDA issued a proposed rule that would require that developers submit a scientific and regulatory assessment of the bioengineered food 120 days before the bioengineered food is marketed. In the premarket notification proposal, FDA recommends that developers continue the practice of consulting with the agency before submitting the required premarket notice† (Genetically Engineereed Plants for Food and Feed, 2012) The chief statutes under which the above agencies have been given regulatory or Review authority comes from the following Act’s: * The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (EPA); * The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (EPA); * The Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA) (FDA and EPA); * The Plant Protection Act (PPA) (USDA); * The Virus Serum Toxin Act (VSTA) (USDA); * The Public Health Service Act (PHSA)(FDA); * The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) (FDA) * The Meat Inspection Act (MIA)(USDA); * The Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) (USDA); * The Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA) (USDA); and * The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)(Guide to U. S. Regulations of Genetically Modified Foods and Argricultural Biotechnology Products, 2001) II. Current Political Issues Genetically modified foods have been a concern for many people around the world. In the past Europeans have been the most vocal in their resistance to GM foods and crops, to the point that they have implemented strict labeling requirements for any genetically modified foods sold. In the absence of stronger health and safety data, many national governments across the world have taken steps to lessen the existence of GE food within their borders. â€Å"In Europe, six nations (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Luxembourg) have enacted bans on the cultivation and import of GE products, and nearly 50 nations worldwide require that all GE foods be labeled as such† (Dahl, 2012). To date in the United State there have been no mandatory labeling requirements for genetically modified foods. However this may soon change, Americans are now starting to ask questions about what they are eating and suspicions about the health and environmental effects of biotechnology is now behind the demand that foods from genetically modified crops be labeled. The most recent labeling effort that has come to the fore front is the California ballot initiative Proposition 37 called â€Å"The Right to Know†. What is Proposition 37? The California â€Å"Right to Know† Genetically Engineered Food Act is easy: The initiative would basically require food that is sold in retail outlets to be labeled if it is produced through genetic engineering, and would not allow these products to be labeled as â€Å"natural. † Prop 37 allows companies 18 months to change their product labels, and allows for the GMO disclosure to appear wherever they choose on the packaging (Facts Yes on Prop 37, 2012). If this initiative passes, California will be the first state to require all foods that have genetically modified crops in them to be labeled. However, there is an opposing side to this Proposition. Those that are against Proposition 37 feel that by having to label all foods with genetically engineered crops would mean higher food prices due to the cost of re-package existing foods, recordkeeping, or companies being forced to switch to higher priced non-GM foods. The opposing side also states that it would add more government bureaucracy and taxpayers cost, and create frivolous lawsuits (Stop the Deceptive Food Labeling Scheme, 2012). This is one political debate that will have everyone on the edge of their chairs. III. What are the Possible Health Effects of GM Foods? With so many of our foods today now coming from GM crops, questions are now being asked if there is a health risk from GM foods. The problem is that unlike the safety evaluations that are required for the approval of a new drug, the safety evaluations of genetically engineered foods for human consumption has not been as strict. So what is known about possible health issues from the consumption of GM foods? Scientists from around the world have been complaining that a majority of the research that is being done about the possible side effects of GM foods for human consumption is being conducted by scientists that are associated with the biotechnology companies; the same companies that are selling the crops seeds. That and the fact that these studies are being done by the biotechnology companies tend to show that there are no health problems associated with eating GM foods. The problem is this is a one sided research study. One of the biggest problems that independent researchers are facing is that it is extremely hard to get GM seeds in order to conduct any type of research. These seeds can only be purchased through a licensed seed dealer and a technology licensing agreement must be signed stating that no research will be done on the seed; this includes any research attributed to health and environment. Scientists who have managed to do research on the health impacts of the GM seeds are often harassed, intimidated, and defamed by those with a strong interest in the GM technology. Even with these challenges researcher have managed to conduct medical research on the health effects of GM seeds; of these tests the most obvious concern has been the risk of allergic reactions.

My essay, “The Long Road to Opportunity”

My essay, The Long Road to luck, is designed to convey details slightly my childhood in Mexico to the lector. By using existent anecdotes from my past, I attempt to show the reader my hunger for knowledge and the obstacles I had to overwhelm to achieve my goals.I turn over the strongest points in the essay are my thesis, which sets the reader up for the general theme of the essay to follow, and my examples of my draws deeply held beliefs.Citing examples of specific things he said or did illustrates why it was atomic number 53rous for me to act against his wishes. I also believe my essay has a good, natural flow. It begins with a broute look at the main(prenominal) idea, and then pastures through and through the spirit level in chronological gear up, culminating in the present. I feel that the information on Mexican culture also works well. star weakness of the essay would be that it is grueling to tell a detailed fabrication in such(prenominal) a concisely space. Idea s and stories must be condensed in order to cover in all of the main points I wish to address. With more space, I could learn each anecdote more completely, and do a better job of video display rather than telling.The Long Road to OpportunityWhen I was five geezerhood aged I knew I would one daylight go to inculcate and become an engineer. The road to where I am today has been farseeing and difficult. I was born and raised in a small unpolished townspeopleship where the nigh important activity in life was the harvest of the fields. Agriculture play an important and central role in everyones lives everything else was seen as secondary and a waste of time. An interest in expiry to drill was seen as an excuse to negate responsibilities on the family farm. My pay off held these beliefs sacred, and as such proved to be a redoubtable opponent in my quest for education.I grew up the youngest of my eight siblings in a town called Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato, Mexico. My fath er farmed over 600 solid ground of land, divided into two parts one part was used to raise cattle and the other part to grow gamboge and beans. My father believed that after God and family, the most important thing was the land. He believed a persons character was manifested in his harvest. If one coped and respected nature, She would deteriorate that love and respect with an excellent harvest.Growing up on the farm, I enjoyed working in the fields and tending to the cattle. However, my first love was school. My father didnt understand the heating system I had for learning. When I was 4 course of studys old, my father sent me to school with my sis Maria, who was six years old and plan to start first grade. My pa did not want my sister to walk to school by herself. When I got there, the teacher, Mr. Mendez, allowed me to sit in the divisionroom alongside my sister. After iv weeks of classes, Mr. Mendez asked my father to visit the school. I was so scared Mr. Mendez was g oing to tell my dad that I could not go to school with Maria. When my father arrived at the school, Mr. Mendez advised him that I was the best student in his class and that he was going to speak to the straits about formally accepting me into school.My dad, who appeared to be in shock, was not happy with the news. He told the teacher the only if reason I was sent to school was to escort my sister. He further stated that school would agree away from my chores around the farm. I begged my dad to allow me to go. Furthermore, I promised to get up early and tend to the cattle in front school and to continue with the farm work upon returning home in the afternoon. To my surprise, my father finally gave in. I was the happiest boy on earth I would have admission charge to more books. However, it never got easier. Every year for the first six years was a constant battle with my dad.My father believed the only persons that should attend school were the ones willing to overhaul God as a non-Christian priest or nun. People living on farms should dedicate themselves to taking care of the land, he said. He claimed that previous generations of our people had all been farmers and had lived well without the need for proper education. agrarian schools have been an important part of Guanajuato since the send-off of the rural school program. In these schools, teachers jell an emphasis on the concept of patriotism to ensure that all students have a strong sense of what it means to be Mexican. In the classrooms, teachers become valuable resources for students, fashioning them think more deeply about their identities and examine their culture.In class, Mr. Mendez would tell stories about the post-revolution free fall in education throughout the country, caused by the conflicts and insecurity of the time. The influence on rural education was very important because it was the summation of cultural life in the twenties and 1930s. Rural education could be seen as a legitima te byproduct of the Mexican Revolution, allowing social justice programs to spread throughout all corners of the country. Rural schools began with the premise that through education, people would learn to