Genetically Modified Apples

Title: “That Fresh Look, Genetically Buffed”

Author: Andrew Pollack

Publication: The New York Times

Date: July 12, 2012

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/business/growers-fret-over-a-new-apple-that-wont-turn-brown.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Summary:

A relatively small company named Okanagan Specialty Fruits is working on a compelling breakthrough in the world of food. Their fruit of choice is apples. They have genetically modified an apple to eliminate bruising on its shipping and travels and to eliminate the browning of apple slices. The problem is getting this amazing feat approved by the people of the United States, government organizations, and other fruit companies. Most Americans have been eating genetically modified foods since the 1990’s, but this was mainly processed foods. If this apple is approved, it would be the first fruit on the market to be genetically modified. Okanagan is holding a 60-day comment period for the people of the United States on what they would do if the apples hit the market. Known as Arctic Apples, these apples would be controversial to the exportation of this fruit to other countries. Countries could be confused on what apples are genetically modified or not, and refuse to buy the product from the United States. Even though the apple gene is just an added gene from another apple, people are still questioning the safety of the fruit. Okanagan sent the fruit to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which is not necessary for the genetically modified foods. With these new forms of apples comes the environmental factor; will other apple farms receive the unwanted gene? A company in Washington State has started the production of these new Arctic Apple farms, under a permit of course, so the food will be ready by the time the apples are approved, hopefully. But, once this gets approved and a lot of money is made, those companies who were against the apples will not be against them anymore.

This shows an exagerrated image for a genetically modified organism. 

http://www.sweettaterblog.com/2010/12/03/gm-apples-up-for-approval/ 

Opinion:

                I believe that we should allow the use of these apples, but more research needs to be done. We need to know that the apples will cause no harm to the human population or the ecosystem around them. Also, we must make sure that dependent organisms are not affected by this change in apples, whether it would be directly from the trees, or from the wasted apples that are bruised. America needs this apple because many people like me do not eat an apple if it is brown or bruised badly. Many Americans think this way, and that is why America should approve this apple, for the good of the human population.

Questions:

1. Would you approve the production and selling of these Arctic Apples? Why or why not?

2. Do you eat apples that are brown or bruised? Why or why not?

3. Would you buy these apples if they were approved?

4. Would you buy these apples from the U.S. if you were an international country? Why or why not?

Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Title: Exploring the future of sustainable and renewable energy

Author: Greener Ideal

Date: December 14th, 2012

Link: http://www.greenerideal.com/alternative-energy/1214-exploring-the-future-of-sustainable-and-renewable-energy/

               The article that I read was on renewable and sustainable energy, and how that could easily be the main source of  this countries energy in the next 10 years. The sources of energy that we are using now, such as oil, is not a sustainable resource and the earth will eventually run dry and not produce it anymore, and this is a major crisis because of the United States' dependency on foreign oil. We need a way to power our houses, and cars and offices, so there needs to be a "back-up plan" for when this actually happens. Some ways this country is making "greener" energy choices is by harnessing power from hydroelectric dams, geothermic, solar and wind energy. These are much cleaner, more environmentally, and safer options then oil, coal or nuclear power. We are hoping that eventually these greener options become our sustainable energy source since they reduce our environmental impact and are renewable.

Above is two photos showing how Hydroelectric Dams and Geothermal Power is harnessed and used.

Opinion:

     I believe that we really need to start using energy sources that can be renewed and can sustain us in the long run, because Earth's resources are very limited, and we are burning through the supply very quickly. We need something that will quench the world's need for energy and using Earth's renewable sources instead of non-renewable sources is a great way to do it. 

Questions:

1.) What renewable energy source do you believe will power the United States in the future?

2.) What are your personal thoughts on renewable / sustainable energy?

3.) Have you ever seen solar panel, a hydroelectric dam, or a wind turbine?

Is a Family Farm Better

Lauver: Family farming -- an American tradition that must be preserved

By Andrew Lauver,

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_1a9d0ffc-3ffa-11e2-80ac-0019bb2963f4.html

This Article talks about the importance of keeping the family farm. One of the great things about working in a place like this is that it makes the family so much stronger. There are siblings working right next to each other as a team... long ago most people use to live on a farm. Now only about 2% of Americans live on a farm. Soon that number will drop again because the average age of a farmer is 57, not many more years for them to keep the businesses open.  When it come to the new generation replacing their parent there are many things that make this very difficult. One thing is that is making it hard when the children try to plan a future for the land is they often do not agree about what to do with the land. They can sometimes make $20,000 an acre if they sell it. If the family keeps the land, the taxes are a huge burden on the children. To help the family out there are some organizations that will help but not many. To operate a farm it can cost up to one million dollars to set it up and that will make it just reach industry level. A way to help this cause is to education people on this matter. In addition, the government needs to help the family farms. Hopefully, if both of these things are done the agriculture lifestyle can become more popular.

     

  Then                                                       Now

Opinion
I think that it would be great to have a family farm but it is just not practical for the size of our nation’s population for family farms to be the only option. The small family farm is good to serve a family, a community and local manufactures but it is not a good way to feed the country. I also do not agree with factory farming. I think that animals should not be treated as they are in factory farms. It would be good if we could mix the two and have a farm where animals get great care and make enough food to feed a nation as big as America. The use of GMOs on factory farms makes them suitable for producing the majority of the nation’s agriculture but small farms offer safe and humane ways for livestock to live. Perhaps a blending of these two ideas would allow both institutions to succeed.

Questions
What is a benefit of Factory farm?
Should the government be helping in your option?
Which farming is the best to be the major was to farm?