Essay #1 Cause/Effect (Revision) – “Genetically Modified Seeds: The Killing of the Honey Bee’s”

Genetically Modified Seeds: The Killing of the Honey Bee’s

From the flowers to the trees, bees of all kinds are very important for the continuation of not just plant life, but all life here on Earth. Without the help from these pollinating insects, the produce section of the local grocery stores might look a lot different. Although the general public has not been aware of a noticeable decline in the growth of commercial crops here in the United States, the use of genetically modified seeds (GMO) has caused the decline of the honey bee population because it has introduced bacteria and viruses into their diet, it has contaminated their food source, and is responsible for the death of the next generation of bees.

With the introduction of genetically modified seeds (GMO), consumers are being reassured that the produce they are eating is safer than ever before. With the help of these GMO’s, growing these crops does not require near the amount of pesticides as before. The question is, what effects are these GMO’s having on the insects that are meant to help in pollination, and the essential growth of these crops? When these seeds were engineered, a strain of bacteria and virus that is used as a pesticide was genetically introduced into the seeds DNA. One of the gene segments that have been introduced is a bacterium called bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is intended to deter butterfly larva from devouring the plant. The resulting bio-toxin that is now found in every cell of the plant, instead of just sprayed on topically where the larva is, is a protein called Cry1Ab (Gitlin, 2009). This bio-toxin is not a new substance that has been introduced to the bees. Beekeepers have been using it as a way to keep moths out of the hives. Over the last few years beekeepers have noticed an increase of Cry1Ab in the hives, and they have not been spraying the hives as often (Donovan, 2009). How is this happening?

The bee’s main food sources are being contaminated. Bees not only pollinate the crops but take that pollen back to the hive to become food, not only for the adult bees but for the larva as well. Bees are a very fragile insect with an immune system that cannot handle a lot of new threats at one time. They are able to fight off diseases up to a certain point. Even the smallest amount of Bt from the GMO’s could potentially have a very adverse affect on the bees. Having to consume pollen that is genetically altered with strains of a bacteria and virus’ is weakening their already delicate little bodies. With no other food sources and without the ability to know not to eat the poisoned crops, the future for the bees does not look very good. They are killing themselves off with the help of ingested bacteria strains that should never be found in their food. What about the next generation of bees?

At the rate the bees are disappearing there may not be a next generation. According to research that was done in Mexico, the affects of Cry1Ab on the bees is very interesting. It affects their judgment and their senses, just like alcohol affects humans. When observed the bees will continue to take the substance in that contains this bio-toxin and will fail to obtain enough pollen to take back to the hive (Donovan, 2009). If every bee in the hive is sitting at a GMO plant and worried only of themselves, in a moment of pure bio-toxin bliss, then there is really no way their hive will survive. The hive is a very well planned out organism. The reason there are so many bees to one hive is so they can take care of and look out for the others. The increase of Cry1Ab in their diets is not only affecting their immune systems but their livelihood as well. The way bees were created is fascinating. Over a very short period of time, a single bee is able to do a variety of different jobs in and out of the hive. With the introduction of this mind altering poison, the bees may not have future.  This could devastate the growing crops, GMO or organic. It has been found that the Bt gene is not directly hazardous to the insects it has not be engineered to destroy, but the toxins it produces could put these insects such as honey bees at risk when it is ingested over a long period of time (Donovan, 2009).

Look into the role of people. How should they get involved? What will happen if they don’t? These are questions that should not be taken lightly. With hundreds of bees disappearing every day, it is imperative that an action be taken to figure out whether or not GMO’s are the major contributing factor to the epidemic of colony collapse disorder, the disappearing of the honey bees. Also, realizing that there are many factors in the bee’s disappearance can help create an awareness that will bring change. Actively searching for answers and ways to organically increase crop productions that will not harm the helpful insects is a must.

Genetically modified seeds may sound like the next best thing for a better crop production, but all the side effects need to be weighed out. The only hope the bees have for a future is to look to a new source of how crops are grown. Maybe organic is the better way to go, not only for the bees but for the people as well. Who knows what Bt and Cry1Ab are doing to the human race?

References

Genersch, E. (2010). Honey bee pathology: current threats to honey bees and beekeeping. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 87(1), 87-97. doi:10.1007/s00253-010-2573-8

Kaplan, J. (2008). A Complex Buzz. Agricultural Research, 56(5), 8-11.

Donovan, P. (2009). Genetically Modified Crops Implicated in Honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.naturalnews.com/025287.html

Gitlin, B. (2009). Is Bee Colony Collapse Disorder linked to GMOs? Retrieved from http://gmo-journal.com/index.php/2009/09/24/is-bee-colony-collapse-disorder-linked-to-gmos/

Response #11-15

Response #11-15

Article #1

The very name of the article, How Factory Farms Are Killing Seals, is thought provoking. How can farms be harming sea creatures? Author Tom Philpott reveals an ugly side to farming that the industry wants covered up. This piece is written for anyone who doesn’t want the sea life of our planet to suffer for our need for cheap food. The focus of the article if the fact those bacterial strains that are easily killed by antibiotics get passed around in factory farms. The livestock are then treated with antibiotics but the bacteria are not all killed, it just moves from one animal to another, gaining immunity to the antibiotics. Eventually a super bug is created that makes its way into the ocean by way of animals feces in the watershed. Now a super strong, highly contagious bacterium is in the ocean food chain and spreads into animals. The animals’ immune systems where never designed to handle human enhanced germs and they suffer greatly. The truly scary part is these diseased animals are found in areas humans swim too. So now the problem has come full circle, and humans have to clean up their own mess. The writing itself is short and to the point, this makes the information effective and easily understood and obsorbed by the reader. The environment is already taking a hit for human messiness. Not only did farmers let the super bugs get into the natural environment, they failed to think of the results of craming millions of animals together and trying to kill every germ. There are no real arguments; the path of these bacteria can be traced from farm to seal. What I want to know is what can be done to stop this cycle before the super germs get into humans and we have no way to stop them. This need to be researched as it is a huge problem that we are creating diseases we can’t treat.

Article #2

While the title Navigating a Critical Juncture for Sustainable Weed Management is not the catchiest phrase ever, this article confronts a growing problem that will affect all members of society. Author David Mortensen highlights a growing problem that could destroy our food supply which would bring all of society crashing to a halt. Currently the common way to control weeds in a field of crops is to make those crops resistant to the herbicide that kills all the weeds. If the crop is genetically engineered to not die while a poison kills everything else growing in the field everything works out right? Wrong! The problem is that weeds are growing immune to the herbicide as well. Stronger and stronger chemicals are created to keep up with the weeds evolution. These chemicals pose a greater danger to the surrounding environment by seeping through the ground and casing pollution and other effects that are not completely understood. The article is pretty effective but uses too much wordy language. Simpler language would make the article more accessible to everybody. Again there is not much that can be argued the weeds are getting stronger and farmers have no permanent solutions. A deeper look at the effects of these stronger chemicals in the wild and a look at possible solutions would be greatly beneficial to the case Mortensen is making. If farmers keep going in the direction they are going now the weeds will outgrow the herbicides and humans will not be able to control them.

Article #3

At first I didn’t know what to make of the title of this article; German blue chip firms throw weight behind North African solar project. What does that even mean? Turns out some big companies in Europe are getting to getter to build giant solar plants in Africa and transmit all that power across the sea to Europe. It is a simple sounding plan but one with huge implications for all parties. Author Kate Connolly explores the many pluses and minuses to such a complex plan. The goal is to help all parties and get clean power to Europe. If this plan works it could be replicated around the world and its progress should be watched by all people who want clean energy. The article is effective in that it covers all sides and considers many views. It makes sure the African nations will profit from this new plan as well as the large European companies fronting the bill. The argument were made and countered that the long transmission of power may not be feasible. New technologies allow power to be sent longer distances for cheap and with little loss. The environment will benefit greatly because if the plan works, Europe will suddenly create no pollution to provide power to the many countries and peoples of the continent. I would like more information on how the power will get from one side of the Mediterranean to the other. There are many technical hurdles that must be met that the article does not fully cover.

Video

The movie Collapse hits the viewer like a slap in the face. Director Chris Smith holds back no punches in this movie built around a riveting interview of a prominent investigative journalist, Michael Ruppert. This film is aimed at all Americans who need to wake up and come to terms with the impending collapse of our civilization. Ruppert says that he is trying to reach out and educate people until he reaches “the hundredth monkey.” This saying is referring to a study conducted of monkeys where once a hundred monkeys learned a skill or new way of doing things the rest of the monkeys followed suit. Ruppert’s main point is to reveal the deep rooted problems America faces and to convince the viewer it is time to at and prepare for what is come; the end of the world as we know it. The movie is very effective in portraying the dark implications of what he is saying. The simple basement or bunker the interview takes place in sets a dark forbidding mood right from the beginning. Throughout Ruppert’s testimony videos and news clips show the evidence backing up what he is saying. The filmmakers also put in long blackouts that allowed the words to sink in to the viewer and emphasized important points. Environmentally this film didn’t talk about pollution or global warming specifically; it mainly was about how the environmental restraints, such as a limited amount of oil, are what will end the global economy. There are many counter arguments that are not addressed specifically. Ruppert at one point says he doesn’t do debates because he is right and the facts are with him. This also brings up the argument that this man is a crazy conspiracy theorist. The next thing to research would be to check if his predictions have come true in the past and where he gets his information. A fact check conducted independently by the viewer would add great weight to the words of this man. This movie does bring up a lot of questions and Mr. Ruppert seems to have all the answers, which is hard to believe.

Website

Trash Trip is a website dedicated to exploring waste that has been spread from coast to coast. There are many posts revealing the many deposits and uses of the trash everywhere. It also serves to highlight the massive quantities of valuable resources that go toward handling our trash. The website is very effective, using a blot style of postings and pictures to not just tell of the mess humans have made but also show it. The amount of pollution humans have put into the natural environment is unacceptable and all humans should be concerned. Our society cannot continue this way, we need to reduce our waste and find new ways to deal with the massive piles of trash that are destroying the world we live in. A counter argument is that this trash is not that big compared to the vastness of nature. This may be true if you just consider a bucket of waste just as a piece of trash. What this site points out is the potential for that waste to get in the water supply and contaminate and harm many forms of life. The website has found its focus and fills the role to show that damage our trash has on the world around us. I see no cons to its existence; all of humanity should see that we need to reduce our waste and clean up our planet. I only wish that more websites could show the damage humans have caused and that more people would pay attention.

Responses #11-15

Responses #11-15

Article #1

The antibiotics that are used on the animals that are raised on feed lots does not leave the land on which they are raised. This statement is what almost every feed lot owner will tell you and the the antibiotics that are given to the animals are harmless to humans as well. In his article, How Factory Farms are Killing Seals, Tom Philpot points out the information that is being told to the people of American isn’t entirely true. Many farm hands that work on or near these feed lots, have been coming into contact with some pretty nasty bacteria. This bacteria is from the antibiotics that were given to the animals that was passed from them and is now mixed into the ground in which these workers are working with. It doesn’t stop there. Researchers have found a strain of E. coli that is now affecting the sea mammals of the Pacific Northwest. These researchers took their findings to Vancouver and presented them with this title, “Swimming in Sick Seas” (Philpot, 2012). If that doesn’t get the attention of the people who need to get involved who knows what will. The water areas in which these sea animals, such as seals and otters, are being found have been in areas where people get their drinking water. If people were to get sick from drinking this water it would very hard to control with the antibiotics that are available right now, since the antibiotics are what would have started this outbreak in the first place.

Philpot, T. (2012). How Factory Farms are Killing Seals. Retrieved from http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2012/02/how-factory-farms-are-killing-seals

Article #2

Many things can be learned about how people are thriving by looking at how the oceans around them are doing. Each year that goes by the chemicals that show up in the water show how more industrialized they have become. As in his article, Sperm Whales Bear Testimony to Ocean Pollution, Dan Ferber shows how man made substances, which are now being called persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are causing major changes in the oceans ecosystem. The sperm whale, in this case, has been the animal of choice to examine and follow. What was done was a five year study on the whales and the food they ate, mostly fish and squid. From there they were able to determine how much POPs had been absorbed from their food into their system. The scientists took samples from 424 whales and found very high levels of an enzyme that detoxifies pollutants, CYP1A1. There have also been high levels of mercury found in sperm whales as well from many different parts of the ocean. Peter Ross who is with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans will be making a trip around the world to visit people who live along the coasts to see if the affects of the POPs are present in them as well. The majority of the world’s population relies on the oceans for a food source. What would happen to the human race if one day the source was contaminated beyond repair? Land pollution that gets into water runoff needs to be better controlled.

Ferber, D. (2005). Sperm Whales Bear Testimony to Ocean Pollution. Science Now, 2-3.

Article #3

Anyone who has spent a good amount of time in the Pacific Northwest, or on up into Canada and Alaska, should be able to give a brief over view of the life of the salmon. This very versatile fish is born in fresh water travels downstream to the ocean, matures and swims back upstream to where it was born in the fresh water rivers and ponds, to reproduce and start the whole process over again. In an article written by Russ Rymer, Reuniting a River, he points out how a power plant has caused a decline in salmon in the Klamath River because of a dam that was built. The affects that this dam had on the salmon in this area was huge. In 2002 there was a massive amount of salmon that had been killed because they couldn’t make their way back up the stream to reproduce. Not only does it affect the salmon who are trying to get upstream but the ones coming down. If the salmon cannot make it over the barrier they will die where they are without ever being able to produce the next generation of salmon. In 2006 after many discussions about removing the dam had been made the comity that brought this forth were concerned nothing was going to be done. But in January of 2007 the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement had been devised and outlined the ways in which the river would be saved. The Chinook salmon is the species that calls the Klamath River its home and thanks to the many men and women, who to it upon themselves to go up against this giant power company on the fishes behalf, has saved it from extinction in this area.

Rymer, R. (2008). Reuniting a River. National Geographic, 214(6), 134-155.

Video – King Corn

Most people do not ever think of the migration their food takes before it gets to their dinner table. In the documentary, King Corn, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis take their viewers from the kernel to the shaft of hair. Professor Steve Macko who is with the University of Virginia shows how when one single human hair is out through an isotope analysis it will contain mainly carbon created by corn. This information tells what food that person has consumed so far in their life. With this information Mr. Cheney and Mr. Ellis decide to grow their own corn crop and follow it to the end of its journey. They begin in Greene, Iowa. Professor Ricardo Salvador an agronomist from Iowa State University gives them a picture of what kind of corn they will be growing. It is called yellow dent #2 which has been genetically modified to be resistant to the liberty brand fertilizer. This species of corn has been highly modified from the original species of corn, which was first introduced here in the United States. As Mr. Cheney and Mr. Ellis begin their farming career they start to realize how much money goes in but does not come out. If it wasn’t for the many government subsidy programs farmers would not be able to grow anything. From the one acre they produced they grew only 200 bushels of corn receiving $1.65 per bushel for a crop that essential inedible. They we able to figure out that 32% of their crop went to export or to produce ethanol. Another 490 pounds went to make high-fructose corn syrup, and 5,500 pounds went to cattle feed. With the valuable information that can be learned from this video it is a wonder that corn is still as valuable and wanted as it is.

Website – Guerrilla Gardening

Join in the war against agricultural land takes over and grows where you can. This website, Guerrilla Gardening is all about taking back the land, whether to grow plants for foods or flowers for their beauty. Their lasted takeover is May 1st. They are asking anyone who will, to plant as many sunflowers as they can. So far there have been over 2000 people who are willing to spread seed to show their support. This type of gardening is an amazing idea. A lady from San Diego, Ava, decided to take back a small area of a sidewalk that had once been home to a tree that had been removed. She noticed nothing was being done to it so she took it upon herself to bring back the beauty of growing life that once was there. Others from all over the world have decided to join the guerrilla gardening movement and take back the unused dirt. One that really turned heads was a pumpkin that was planted at the entrance of a village in Italy. It was an abandoned flower garden that just needed attention.   There have been many people who have got involved in guerilla gardening and many have submitted pictures to prove it.  One was of a bike rack that sat at the side of a building.  It was looking a little drab until someone planted peonies around it and brought that area to life.  There are ways in which people can donate to the cause if they are not the gardening type.  What a great idea to but beauty and function back into these wasted spaces. People everywhere should be joining in guerrilla gardening!

Www.guerillagardening.org

Essay 3 Proposal- Genetically Modified Vegetables: Deadly Veggies

Imagine a world void of everything you know. Where beans, peas, corn and tomatoes once grew only mutant, invincible weeds now grow. Grocery store shelves that once help tortillas, chips, and vegetable soups are now barren. The store’s vegetable section is in a similar state. There is no more popcorn, cereal, soy sauce, potato chips, or pizza. Around the planet, millions of people that relied upon the staple crops of corn, rice and potatoes are starving or dead. Famine has struck the world. Those that continue to consume vegetables suffer from debilitating cancers and paralysis. Imagine a world without vegetables. In the decades preceding this apocalyptic scenario mankind had dabbled in genetics. Following simple processes, scientists had spliced vegetable genes with bacteria, viruses and the genes of other vegetables. The science progressed so fast; scientists focused on whether or not they could accomplish a task and whether or not they should accomplish a task. There had been no accountability for what they were doing. This is the path science has pushed us down. Although genetically modified (GM) crops can provide millions of people with food, local farmers should insist on only purchasing organic seeds for their crops because GM crops can cultivate herbicide resistant weeds, can cause fatal reactions, disabilities and paralysis in susceptible consumers, and can contain high levels of synthetic estrogen which has been linked to causing cancer.

Geneticists began tampering with vegetables back in the 1990s with a single task in mind. Their task was to create a vegetable that was resistant to the common household herbicide, Round Up. Scientists with a company called Monsanto succeeded in altering soy beans to resist this common herbicide (Frewer et al, 2004). This began a biological engineering gold rush. Companies produced GM crops that produce extremely high yield, resilient crops, vegetables that remain edible for months after harvest, and other GM products. Companies such as Monsanto battled each other in a space-race to create, patent and sell the next big-ticket genetically modified vegetable. The reason behind creating vegetable crops designed to withstand a batch of herbicide is simple: fly overhead and spray herbicide over the crops. The weeds all die and the vegetables live on. It is a simple idea with very serious consequences. Over time the weeds develop resistances to the herbicides as well. As the weeds become tougher the farmers are forced to resort to stronger and more potent herbicides. So the initial idea was to make killing weeds easier and now farmers have to resort to extremely dangerous herbicides to kill weeds that were once susceptible to Round Up (Invigorate360, 2009). Now consumers are eating vegetables that have been drenched in poisons that require the farmers to wear head–to-toe protective equipment just to apply.

In addition to herbicide resistant weeds, humans can also suffer severe effects from consuming genetically engineered vegetables. Often vegetables are spliced with genes from other vegetables. Imagine consuming a tomato that has been spliced with nut genes. People that are allergic to nuts can have severe, if not fatal, reactions from eating a simple tomato. People in the Philippines have suffered adverse effects such as developing resistance to antibiotics meaning that human biology has been altered by the GM vegetables that they consume. During the 1990s, 1500 people were paralyzed, over 5000 people were temporarily paralyzed and 37 people died from a syndrome that was linked to genetically modified vegetables (safe-food.org, 2001).

Some GM crops contain Glyphosate, which is added to make vegetables resistant to weeds. This however increases the estrogen contained in the vegetable (Invigorate360.com, 2009). Once consumed, this estrogen can lead to elevated levels in humans which can cause developmental harm. Synthetic estrogen has been linked to numerous types of cancer.

Aside from the obvious hazards of genetically engineered vegetables, there are some hidden dangers as well. Scientists have engineered GM vegetables with a suicide gene. This is a method of forcing farmers to purchase seeds every year instead of harvesting seeds from their own crops and reusing them next season. The way this suicide gene works is it makes the 2^nd generation seeds sterile efficiently killing off the crop after one season. Imagine what happens if this crop breeds with organic and wild crops of vegetables. If GM corn, for example, breeds with unaltered crops and this suicide gene is passed on, the world could see the extinction of corn. This is possible with any crop that is engineered with this suicide gene (globalhealingcenter.com, 2012). There are other issues as well. GM crops all share identical genetic blueprints. This means that should a virus, bacteria or fungus attack the crop it could wipe out the entire crop. There is no genetic diversity to ensure the survival of at least a portion of the crop.

There are vast amounts of money to be made from genetically modifying vegetables. This poses numerous problems when one decides to stop or even limit the modification of foods. Any action taken on a large scale such as lobbying senators or writing petitions to politicians would be met with armies of lawyers, add campaigns, and GM-owned experts claiming all these dangers are exaggerated and untrue. Therefore, stopping GM crops has to be done on a small scale.

Fortunately this is not only more effective, but it is also infinitely easier to facilitate. Every farmer from the largest bulk producer to the backyard veggie gardener can participate. Very little effort is required. In fact the only thing needed is for the grower to insist on only buying organic seeds. Home gardeners can purchase unaltered organic seeds locally and grow healthy vegetables in their own backyard. When purchasing vegetables in markets, consumers can insist that they only purchase organic vegetables. This ensures the consumer is not getting vegetables that could potentially harm their families. This simple action creates a situation where it does not pay to genetically enhance vegetables. It will soon pay to produce organic instead of modified. Often foods purchased at the supermarket are produced from or are fed GM crops. Consumers can insist on purchasing organic meat and organic products such as popcorn, and ice cream. Consumers can also insist on purchasing hempseed oil and olive oil instead of canola oil or vegetable oil which often contain GM products. Consumers can shut down the production of genetically modified vegetable products by simply going organic. Insist on organic seeds, plant organic vegetable gardens, use organic products and eat organically raised meat products. Edmund Burke once claimed that “The only thing needed for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.” Nothing can by more true in the world of GM crops. All the dangers of GM crops can be stopped by people simply insisting or organic products. There is no voting, or petitioning, or lobbying, or relying on politicians to make the genetically modified crops vanish. Every person must make a personal decision to purchase organic products.

References

Group III, Dr. Edward F. “Genetically Modified Foods”, Global Healing Center. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/nutrition/genetically-modified-foods

Invigorate360. “Top 10 Dangers of Genetically Modified Foods”, Invigorate360. http://www.invigorate360.com/reviews/top-10-dangers-of-genetically-modified-food/

L. Frewer, et al, “Societal Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods,” Food and Chemical Toxicology, no. 42 (2004). http://www.ask-force.org/web/Bt/Frewer-Societal-Aspects-2004.pdf

Mothers for Natures Law. “What are the Dangers”. http://www.safe-food.org/-issue/dangers.html

Essay 3 Proposal- Community Garden: Finally Alaska Fresh

 

It is easy to just say let us start a community garden, but the reality is that there are many things that need to be taken into account before the process can begin. Regardless of that process there are so many benefits that can come out of a community garden, benefits for the environment and possibly your wallet. This could be a great opportunity for family time and to help instill pride in yourself and your children. Although my neighborhood may find it easier to buy their produce from the grocery store, they should start a community garden because it helps the ground water, reduces soil erosion, and reduces carbon dioxide.

Community gardens are a great way to help out the ground water around our neighborhood. There is a great area to start doing this in the park that runs along our houses. Wide open and unused grass area can be converted for the purpose of creating a cleaner and more beautiful park for our community. Instead of looking out and seeing patches of grass and eye sore mud puddles we can see beautifully grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The community garden can help filter out some of the pollutants that get into the ground water around are homes from the youth center and convenient store that sit fairly close by the park. This could help the homes around that use ground water as their main source for their home. Fairbanks is not known for sweet tap water, but rather harsh tap water full of chemicals. If everybody could donate just a few dollars to getting a community garden started for this area it would become a relatively cheap and cost effective project and a benefit to many who live in the surrounding area.

Another benefit of a community garden is that it can reduce soil erosion. Since last year the rain was almost an everyday adventure in Fairbanks, it would help create a better looking landscape surrounding the park. Last year the grass was torn up and required maintenance around the park that was not given making it an area rarely used. A community garden would help the park by reducing the sediment that can settle after a rainfall and help evenly distribute the sediment and nutrients. This project would take more than just money donations; it would also need time donations from volunteers who would like to participate in this cause. The hopes of volunteers leads to the hope that people would also be willing to loan out gardening tools to help out in the beneficial community garden. It is a possibility that tools may not be available, but with money donations it should be no problem to acquire the necessary tools to create a community garden. To receive enough volunteers and donations should be relatively easy considering the unity this neighborhood already has over the other surrounding neighborhoods in the area of Fairbanks.

Now, remembering the youth center and convenient store are close by and cause heavy traffic flow by our neighborhoods. A community garden could help reduce the carbon dioxide in the air by using the carbon dioxide, almost like recycling the carbon that is being unused. This will create cleaner air not just for you, but for you children that play at the park and our neighborhood. Carbon dioxide might seem like only a small problem, but every inch we give we receive a foot in return from natures natural processes. Whether you choose to help out on a regular basis or not, I believe that it would be beneficial to get together Saturdays and Sundays starting the first weekend in May. Making a community garden can bring families closer together and bring pride into our neighborhood. Let us not forget the best thing about a community garden, at the end of a growing period it will yield food for our community saving a trip to grocery store for that one tomato or three potatoes for your dinner meal which will also help in reducing carbon dioxide.

This small community garden can contribute to our environment by improving ground water, reducing soil erosion, and reducing carbon dioxide in our air. It may also save you a few dollars and create more unity and instill pride in a great neighborhood. The beauty that can come from growing fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in Alaska where fresh is hard to come by. This community garden is within reach, it is not an impossible task so let us come together and donate our time and money in creating something truly beneficial.

Essay #2 Book Review (Revision)- Rural Renissance

What does the future of the world look like? Will it be one that is dying and its future looks bleak or is it one where life is thriving, birds are singing, the grass is green, and the sun is shining bright? “A renewal of life, vigor, interest; rebirth; revival”, this is how renaissance is defined. The world is in need of a renaissance. Although city life is supposed to be the dream life in his book Rural Renaissance, Bill McKibben, with help from John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, shows that living in the country is the best way to create a greener lifestyle because people are able to positively influence their food sources, more easily use alternative energy sources, and be able to leave the best gift of all to their family, skills for a better way of life.

When a green lifestyle is mentioned what comes to mind, someone who is one with the earth?  Or maybe someone whose life is so far out in left field that they tend to make others think twice about going green? A green lifestyle does not mean you must become a nonconformist and throw your cares to the wind. Becoming more conscious of the food that is eaten and how it is grown or raised can help to live life to the greenest. In the book Rural Renaissance, the first step to making life green is to realize the “rippling effect – the multiplicity of small changes is something we carry over into our lives” (p. 23). There are many small things that can be done to change a way of life into one that is more renewed. Positively influencing the food source is a way to live green. Organic farming is not only good for the planet but for the people who eat the food, too. Chapter three has many ideas on how to grow the greenest garden. The information shows how the seeds should be selected and planted along with how the garden should be tended to also. It is mentioned that when planning the location and the plants that will be grown in the garden, take into consideration the animals in the area.  Wildlife can be an added bonus to how well the garden grows.  Think of it as creating an edible landscape that all of nature can share in.  A few great recipes can be found within these pages to be used with the produce that is grown fresh in the garden. Free range animals, such as chickens, are also a great source for farm fresh eggs and poultry that is guaranteed to be the purest of its kind. But that is not all this great book has to offer.

Has alternative energy and heat sources ever been something that has caused a mild curiosity? There is a chapter on that as well. Solar, wind and water are all three great sources for renewable energy sources that can be incorporated into any home. Think about a nice hot bath or shower. Imagine that water being heated by the sun. Ivanko and Kivirist take the time to point out exactly how that can be done (2004), “We appreciate and look forward to the sun’s grand entrance and exit. Sunrises and sunsets are nothing short of a daily dramatic performance” (p. 118). When the sun comes up every morning take advantage and appreciate all of the warmth and energy it gives off.   There is another natural resource that should not be overlooked. Without the wind to bring relief from the heat of the sun, life here on earth would be unbearable. Wind is a great energy source to harness. When those notorious winds “come sweeping down the plains” and turn those turbines a great thing happens (Oklahoma Historical Society, n.d.).   A residential wind turbine system can produce as much as 13,560 kilowatt hours annually with an average wind speed of 13 miles per hour (p. 131). Just think if there was a windmill in the yard of every house how much energy would be saved. Plans on how to use a residential windmill are found in this book too. These gifts that nature gives to use should be used but with great care.

Future generations need to be taught how to care for these great gifts. The knowledge that is passed down from generations gives the gift of a better life. It is imperative to “live with the seventh generation in mind” (p. 12). The seventh generation is ” a concept from the Iroquois Nation: every individual action is examined and evaluated based on how its effect may be felt seven generations into the future” (p. 12). That is a sobering concept but it is one worth living by. If the people of today do not think how their actions affect the future, then who is there to teach the skills needed to care for life? The children of the future rely on the actions and the skills they are taught today. Teaching how to grow an organic garden isn’t the only way to improve the future.  Creating a passion for a better lifestyle is a way to show the next generation how to live on earth and not destroy it. As so aptly put, “we envisioned the cultivation of a livelihood and a more sustainable lifestyle that would help restore the land, protect nature, and – long after we’ve passed away – thrive and prosper” (p. 249). What kind of legacy should be left for the children? A legacy which prospers with great hope for a better life or a future where they are left with nothing?

Rural Renaissance gives people good information to think about how life should be lived. From how food is influenced and influences the ones who eat it, to how energy is collected and used, and how the future is something each person needs to think about. Rural Renaissance is a book worth sharing with those who will one day be left to care for the future.

References

McKibben, B., Ivanko, J., and Kivirist, L. (2004). Rural Renaissance. BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.

Oklahoma Historical Society. (n.d.). OKLAHOMA! Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Cukture. Retrieved from http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/O/OK090.html

Renaissance. (n.d.). In The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renaissance?s=ts

Eaasy #2 Book Review – Rural Renaissance

What does the future of the world look like? Will it be one that is dying and its future looks bleak or is it one where life is thriving, birds are singing, the grass is green, and the sun is shining bright? “A renewal of life, vigor, interest; rebirth; revival”, this is how renaissance is defined. The world is in need of a renaissance. Although life is moving fast taking time to slow down and appreciate what the world has to offer makes life worth living which can be seen in the book Rural Renaissance, Bill McKibben retells how John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist have made living in the country the best way to create a greener lifestyle because people are able to positively influence their food sources, more easily use alternative energy sources, and be able to leave the best gift of all to their family, skills for a better way of life.

When a green lifestyle is mentioned what comes to mind? Someone who is one with the earth?  Or maybe someone whose life is so far out in left field that they tend to make others think twice about ‘going green’? Well a greener lifestyle does not mean you must become a hippie and throw all your cares into the wind to achieve it. Becoming more conscious of the food that is eaten and how it is grown or raised can help to live life ‘greener’. In the book Rural Renaissance the first step to making life green is to realize the “rippling effect – the multiplicity of small changes is something we carry over into our lives” (p. 23). There are many small things that can be done to change a way of life into one that is more renewed. Positively influencing the food source is a way to live green. Organic farming is not only good for the planet but for the people who eat the food too. Chapter three has many ideas on how to grow the greenest garden ever. From the seeds that are picked to plant to how the garden is cared for is addressed. A few great recipes can be found within these pages to be used with the produce that is grown fresh in the garden. Free range animals, such as chickens, are also a great source for farm fresh eggs and poultry that is guaranteed to be the purest of its kind. But that is not all this great book has to offer.

Has alternative energy and heat sources ever been something that has caused a mild curiosity? There is a chapter on that as well. Solar, wind and water are all three great sources for renewable energy sources that can be incorporated into any home. Think about a nice hot bath or shower. Imagine that water being heated by the sun. John and Lisa take the time to point out exactly how that can be done (2004), “We appreciate and look forward to the sun’s grand entrance and exit. Sunrises and sunsets are nothing short of a daily dramatic performance” (p. 118). The sun comes up every morning why not take advantage of the warmth and energy it gives off. Wind is another source of energy that is over looked. A residential wind turbine system can produce as much as 13,560 kilowatt hours annually with an average wind speed of 13 miles per hour (p. 131). Just think if there was a windmill in the yard of every house how much energy would be saved. Plans on how to use a residential windmill are found in this book too. These gifts that nature gives to use should be used but with great care.

Future generations need to be taught how to care for these great gifts. The knowledge that is passed down from generations gives the gift of a better life. It is imperative to “live with the seventh generation in mind” (p. 12). The seventh generation is ” a concept from the Iroquois Nation: every individual action is examined and evaluated based on how its effect may be felt seven generations into the future” (p. 12). That is a sobering concept but it is one worth living by. If the people of today do not think how their actions affect the future then who is there to teach the skills needed to care for life? The children of the future rely on the actions and the skills of today. Teaching how to grow a green garden isn’t the only way to improve the future. As so aptly put “we envisioned the cultivation of a livelihood and a more sustainable lifestyle that would help restore the land, protect nature, and – long after we’ve passed away – thrive and prosper” (p. 249). What kind of legacy should be left for the children? A legacy which prospers with great hope for a better life or a future where they are left with nothing?

Rural Renaissance gives one a lot to think about how life should be lived. From how food is influenced and influences the ones who eat it, to how energy is collected and used, and how the future is something each person needs to think about. Rural Renaissance is a book worth sharing with those who will one day be left to care for the future.

Reference

McKibben, B., Ivanko, J., and Kivirist, L. (2004). Rural Renaissance. BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.

Renaissance. (n.d.). In The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renaissance?s=ts

Response #6-10

ARTICLE #1

The article “Electric Bugaboo” by Tim Dickinson tells of the struggle to get started with renewable energy here in the United States.  It would seem natural to believe that the biggest obstacles standing in the way for renewable energy construction would be large corporations that supply energy already, coal and oil.  The shock this article brings is that others how promote “green” ways are the biggest obstacle.  How can we move on with growth in sustainable energy when some of those who should be in support for sustainable energy are against the construction for that renewable energy?

The problem may very well have its roots in the fight environmentalists have been engaged in for so long.  Dickinson relays the idea that the fight isn’t against renewable energy, but instead for against the idea of “big”.  “Big” is associated with bad for many who have been fighting for the safety of the environment.  Now that renewable energy can be produced on a “big” scale some environmentalists are fighting the installation of things like “big solar and wind farms” from being developed.  Those who are environmentalist fighting against “green” energy are doing so because they believe that they are protecting the environment of the areas that would be sites for solar panels and windmills.  These fighters seem to be missing the big picture, and that is the message Dickinson is trying to convey in his article.

Now the fight for green has put environmentalists against environmentalists.  The ones opposed to “big” installations of solar panels or windmills on a stretch of land desire smaller approaches to the energy issue; the idea of solar panels on roof tops are more along the lines of what the environmentalists in opposition to large scale want to see happen.  Their dreams of roof top installations for solar panels are dreams only.  There is a more messy problem with trying to get people to convert their roof tops to solar than having a solar panel field.  There are issues like; the cost of converting, the maintenance, who uses the energy, whether or not people will be compensated, if regulation would be needed, trees in the way of some roofs, if regulation was necessary there is the issue of personal property, rights, and privacy, and the list could go on.  These fields of wind mills and solar panels would be constructed with the surround area in mind, and causing the least amount of damage possible.  That is a much better alternative to things like more oil rigs or coal mines.  When renewable energy is widely available it can make oil and coal less necessary, and cutting back on environmentally unsound energy will result in less impact on the environment overall.  This is the big picture, now if only we could all see it together.

 

ARTICLE #2

Mike Rdsenwald’s article “Fast Food” gives a quick glimpse, not of food but of a biodegradable car.  The article provides a short list of components of the car and what was used to construct those components.  The seat, steering wheel, body, and brakes were all made from recycled or biodegradable materials.  The fuel used for the vehicle is also recycled; the fuel is a biodiesel fuel consisting of cocoa butter and vegetable oil.  The author states that vegetable oil from making fish and chips has been recycled to be used as fuel for the car.  Rdsenwald makes it a point to let readers know that the car performs well and even goes fast.

The purpose of the article is to make people aware that such a car exists.  Perhaps Rdsenwald hopes that people will have enough interest in this car that it will help keep projects going to eventually mass produce vehicles for the public, with this car as the fore runner.  Other than listing the innovative and environmentally friendly aspects of this car, there is no evidence that the author’s intent is to provoke such an interest.  If the intent of the article is simply to give a glimpse of an interesting new technology for a car, then it does so just fine.  Any stance the author takes about this technology is implied through all of the positive attributes listed.  The car certainly seems very environmentally friendly from materials used to make the parts to the radiator to the fuel the car runs on.

What then are the drawbacks?  The author neglects to inform readers of any possible negative aspects, only listing all positive features.  One counterargument could be based on the subject of the car’s fuel.  Where will people be able to purchase the fuel?  Would there be enough recycled fuel to feed the need for fuel?  If not, then what could be the environment impact of producing vegetable oil for fuel?  It is clear that the fuel issue would certainly need further research in order to determine just how environmentally friendly it really is.

 

ARTICLE #3

“Eating Mercury” by Alexandra Gross is an article presenting information about mercury in foods we may very well eat.   Although it seems that fish is commonly known to have mercury and the mercury in fish can affect a person’s health, it is not well known that we may be ingesting mercury with other foods we consume that have no fish or other seafood present in the ingredient list.  Instead of fish or seafood being the source of the mercury addressed in the article it seems that high-fructose corn syrup is the culprit.  Gross tells us that not only have levels of mercury been found in foods containing high-fructose corn syrup, but that these same foods have not been removed from the shelves.  Companies implemented in the study reported by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) contest that the findings are not viable.  Another reason given by Gross that these foods have not been removed from shelves is that the mercury in the foods in question would not be organic mercury, which is the mercury known to cause adverse affects on people when the levels are too high in their bodies.  The mercury in foods containing high fructose corn syrup would be inorganic, and not as easily absorbed in our bodies.

The intent of this article is certainly to inform any possible readers of what could be in the next bite of food they take.  There should be an outrage that something is being found in our foods which is not meant to be there in the first place.  “Eating Mercury” shows the disconcerting side of mercury found in foods containing high-fructose corn syrup and balancing that information with the fact of which kind of mercury it is addressing, organic versus inorganic.  Either way, the author brings the reader back to the point that this should not be in our foods and we should care that it is.

More research should be done on these foods as to whether or not they do contain mercury.  One of the arguments presented by companies implemented in the study is that the study itself cannot be considered conclusive evidence.  An untainted and unbiased study needs to be done on the foods listed as containing mercury as well as any other food containing high-fructose corn syrup.  High-fructose corn syrups should be put to the test as well, if not above the foods that list high-fructose corn syrup as an ingredient.  The study high-fructose corn syrup from the different plants that produce the product will help confirm whether or not it is the high-fructose corn syrup that is the culprit in the mercury case in the first place.

Regardless of the fact of whether or not the inorganic mercury would have negative health effects on people is irrelevant to the fact that is simply does not belong in our food.  Even more, standards are set for mercury in other sources and there is no scientific way to prove that inorganic mercury will not cause any health issues in people.

 

WEBSITE

The site Guerrilla Gardening seems to be aimed primarily at people in Europe.  At the top of the home page there is a paragraph with an explanation of how the concept started.  The website’s author states that he began his project around London.  The main idea of the website and the project is to be a “growing arsenal for anyone interested in the war against neglect and scarcity of public space as a place to grow things, be they beautiful, tasty(or both!).”

The website is effective in the fact that it shows viewers many different ideas and places that “Guerrilla Gardening” has taken place.  The website gives lengthy stories, but they are encouraging and inspiring.  The concept of beautifying areas that lack growth of vegetation is inspiring and a great way to get people involved with the desire to have plants around.  Growing plants is probably one of the best ways to get people interested in natural environments as well.  I would love to say that “Guerilla Gardening” can do only good to the environment and no bad, but there are some precautions that should be addressed.
The most serious matter would be introducing a plant that would have a negative impact.  The negative impact that would be very damaging would be to introduce a new plant to an area that would aggressively spread.  An aggressive plant could start choking out indigenous plants, and rather than add beauty it would be a rampant nuisance.

The website fills a niche by providing an inspiration to make areas beautiful.  People react to what is around them, and beauty can have a positive effect.  Using plants to achieve this goal is an added bonus.  Just be sure that plants being used are safe.

VIDEO

The Future of Food blew me away.  The main issue of the film was genetically altered food plants.  The movie also addresses issues with patents on seeds/plants, and the negative impacts of both issues.  The movie tells how plants are genetically altered and the reasons behind how it got started along with why it continues.  Patenting seeds become a side effect of the genetic altering science.  I feel this is a must see video for everyone.  There are more issues to address than the two listed here in this review, and I feel that viewing the movie is the best way to be filled in on everything this movie touches on.  This review will stick to genetically altered plants.

Although I feel that the main point of the movie is about genetically altered plants, this movie encompasses not only the alteration but all that has come with genetic altering.  First, a plant is being changed and it is not happening in a natural way.  Plants naturally evolve on change throughout time.  Plants can become domesticated through practices to help cultivate the plants and crosspollination can create different plants.  The idea of genetically altering plants takes the natural process out and injects laboratory science.  The movie does an effective job at presenting the issue of genetically modified plants.  The movie does move into different issues that all have roots in genetically modifying plants.  Perhaps The Future of Food is meant to have its audience see the big picture rather than just focusing on one small part.  There is more that needs to be addressed than genetically modified foods on our plates.

When addressing the genetically modified plants, we come to an environmental issue.  As these plants are being used they are also being spread.  The movie gives instances when seeds of genetically modified plants have germinated in areas other than where the original plant was grown.  This means that these plants can be spread and cross with organic natural plants, and poses the threat that one day there may no longer be any organic plants to harvest.

Reading Responses #6-10

Article #1

Bryan Walsh starts out his article “Getting Real About the High Price of Cheap Food” by drawing a picture of a pig being raised for slaughter in the state of Iowa. His picture contains confined pens, chopped of curly tails, antibiotics, and the waste produced by all of these pigs wafting up into the air to be smelled by the surrounding houses. Not only do the surrounding houses get to smell all of the lovely pig feces, but when the “manure lagoons” overflow they can expect it to go into the river and straight to the ocean. Another nightmare I can now add to my list.

Walsh mentions The Jungle written by Upton Sinclair in 1906 because it changed the food industry for the better, but only to a point as though America is receding back into how it was when the book was published. Walsh doesn’t mention any of the good changes that the food industry has made, only the bad. He brings up that one of the changes to the food industry was now being able to produce massive quantities of product for cheaper by adding a high risk of health effects to the environment, animals, and even humans. If only the food industry would fight back and say they have improved in every way possible it would make for a great argument between Walsh and industries.

Walsh sees the worst of everything being that the massive quantities of food in America does make is exceedingly bad for humans. He brings up a contaminated food incident to prove his point of how the food industry is anything but safe. By trying to make an even greater impact on his readers he throws out that 8 people were killed and 600 became sick due to a salmonella outbreak.

With all this in mind it is safe to say that soon our land will no longer be able to provide for us. It would be very interesting to take all this and go a bit further into the food industry and see how they truly operate with no red curtains to cover up the truth.

Article #2

Alan Weisman wrote an article that he titled “Nothing Wasted, Everything Gained” which conjures images of resourcefulness and the waste not motto. Weisman you can tell at the beginning of his article that he is more of a story teller writer. He describes the area as though he is driving nowhere. Weisman even calls the roads “dust-chocked” and when the rain begins he describes the road as “jeep-swallowing” because of all of the mud. Taking you from all the negative thoughts he brings you to an opening filled with colorful houses that sounds like a dreamland.

Weisman’s first sign of what he is really trying to get at in this article is when he mentions the buildings having solar collectors. He then goes on to explain the scientific experiment that started in 1971 that ended with the creation of a town that is self-surviving. Started by an idea from a man named Paolo Lugari who had a vision to make a place that seemed to be inhabitable and inhabit it.

Now my first thoughts will all this makes me think of a cult initially that wants to sustain itself and be left alone form society, but Weisman does a good job to quickly deter these thoughts by adding “the scientist weren’t seeking an alternative lifestyle.” It would very interesting to visit this town of 200 people and see how exactly it operates and look even further at everything they have created out of what they have been given by the forest.

Weisman absolutely blows my mind by describing all of the materials used in creating things like water purifiers and heaters. These scientists did everything right by using all of the resources given to them making sure they waste nothing. I can’t see a negative in being resourceful and leaving nothing to waste away. The best thing, the scientist’s community is one of “peace and sanity.”

Article #3

“Sperm Whales Bear Testimony to Ocean Pollution” is exactly as its title says. Written by Dan Ferber who talks about the ocean pollution is not just along the coast line, but is also in mid-ocean areas as well. It is very heart wrenching to know that we truly are affecting the whole earth, not just the places we have popularized. There is no arguing hard evidence taken from 424 whales showing that they have pollutants in their body even though they are far away from land. This means if the whales are being affected in such a huge way what other animals are we, as humans, affecting? This is an older article written in 2005 and Ferber does talk about some studies that are planned for 2006 and 2007 on testing humans that live close to contaminated and heavily polluted areas. It would be great to know if this research was ever carried out and if so what their findings where.

Ferber makes it clear that the contamination of the ocean is “not pretty.” He also makes it clearly understood that human made chemicals are everywhere and this is not something to be proud of. Humans are truly destroying everything including what is thought to be pristine. The whale research, Ferber points out, is a big indicator of the health of the world’s oceans. What a depressing reality to know that the world’s ocean is on the brink of destruction.

Website

Richard went out to make a difference, creating a blogging community labeled Guerrilla Gardening. It is easy for the reader to get lost in his writings as he talks about great gardening ideas that you can do around the city of London. That is not all though he talks about what is going on with guerrilla gardening in Poland and even the United States, specifically New York.

The point Richard hopes to get across is to create a community where public space to grow plants are no longer neglected. From the looks of his community he is accomplishing just that. By taking these public planting places and turning them into beautiful gardens he is not only helping out the environment, but helping out the local resident’s eyes. Richard gives 12 steps to too follow when going after “orphaned land.” He puts it in warfare terms, which makes it cute and fun to read.

All of this hard work has barely any negatives, besides maybe a back ache from the lifting of plants and the bending over to dig. For the sake of argument, a true negative would no longer being able to continue the guerrilla gardening because of the lack of donations. It seems that to plant and replenish the earth with which it is naturally supposed to be given costs money. The sad truth it is, but it would only be a minor setback purely because where there is a will there is a way and someone with that much drive will find a way to continue what they love to do.

Film

“The Inconvenient Truth” is directed by Davis Guggenhiem, but the true star and creator of “An Inconvenient Truth” is Al Gore. Al Gore gives a speech about the issues of global warming and showing people that this is not only a United States problem, but a worldwide one that could have been avoided or lessened if we as humans paid attention to scientists just forty years ago.

Al Gore’s speech is truly effective to anyone who watches this video, not only was it effective, but he made it fun and easy to listen to by incorporating some of his real life experiences into the speech.

His power points are telling and give an amazing realization of how global warming is affecting us in more ways than just one. He starts with the heat being locked into our atmosphere along with flooding in places that usually have drought and drought in places that usually have flooding. He doesn’t just give his argument on the subject, but countless others, proving that in some cases scientists in there reports where made to alter their findings about global warming! If that is not American politics I can’t tell you what is.

Going further into his speech he lightly covers the effects that global warming has on animals. It would be interesting to research that further because I am very curious on what the extinction of some animals, plants, and insects have on the earth. Learning about what humans are doing to the earth and its ecosystems is by itself depressing. It almost makes me wonder where we would be at today if Al Gore had won presidency.

Essay #1 Cause/Effect – “Genetically Modified Seeds: The Killing of the Honey Bee’s”

From the flowers to the trees, bees of all kinds are very important for the continuation of not just plant life but all life here on Earth. Without the help from these pollinating insects the produce section of the local grocery stores might look at a lot different. Although the general public has not been aware of a noticeable decline in the growth of commercial crops here in the United States, the use of genetically modified seeds has caused the decline of the honey bee population because it has introduced bacteria and viruses into their diet, it has contaminated their food source, and is responsible for the death of the next generation of bees.

With the introduction of genetically modified seeds (gmo) consumers are being reassured that the produce they are eating is safer than ever before and with the help of these gmo’s growing these crops does not require near the amount of pesticides as before. But what effects are these gmo’s having on the insects that are meant to help in pollination and the essential growth of these crops? When these seeds were engineered a strain of bacteria and virus that is used as a pesticide was genetically introduced into the seeds DNA. One of the gene segments that have been introduced is a bacterium called bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which is intended to deter butterfly larva from devouring the plant. The resulting bio-toxin that is now found in every cell of the plant, instead of just sprayed on topically where the larva is, is a protein called Cry1Ab (Gitlin 2009). This bio-toxin is not a new substance that has been introduced to the bees. Beekeepers have been using it as a way to keep moths out of the hives. But in the last few years beekeepers have noticed on increase in Cry1Ab in the hives and they have not been spraying the hives as often (Donovan2009). How is this happening?

The bee’s main food source has been contaminated. Bees not only pollinate the crops but take that pollen back to the hive to become food not only for the adult bees but for the larva as well. Bees are a very fragile insect with an immune system that cannot handle a lot of new threats at one time. They are able to fight off diseases up to a certain point. Even the smallest amount of Bt from the gmo’s could potentially have a very adverse affect on the bees. Having to consume pollen that is genetically altered with strains of a bacteria and virus is weakening their already delicate little bodies. With no other food source and without the ability to know not to eat the poisoned crops the future for the bees does not look very good. They are killing themselves off with the help of ingested bacteria strains that should never be found in their food. What about the next generation of bees?

At the rate the bees are disappearing there may not be a next generation. According to research that was done in Mexico the affects of Cry1Ab on bees is very interesting. It affects their judgment and their senses just like alcohol affects humans. When observed the bees will continue to take the substance in that contains this bio-toxin and will fail to obtain enough pollen to take back to the hive (Donovan 2009). If every bee in the hive is sitting at a gmo plant and worried only of themselves at that moment of pure bio-toxin bliss than there is really no way their hive will survive. The hive is a very well planned out organism and the reason there are so many bees to one hive is so they can take care of and look out for the others. The increase of Cry1Ab in their diets is not only affecting their immune system but their lively hood as well. The way bees were created is fascinating and how through a short period of time a single bee is able to do a variety of different jobs in and out of the hive. The introduction of this mind altering poison has been devastating to the future of bees. “Although not directly lethal to non-target organisms, the toxins from the Bt gene potentially put non-target insects such as honeybees at risk” (Donovan2009).

Look into the role of people. How should they get involved? What will happen if they don’t? These are questions that should not be taken lightly. With hundreds of bees disappearing every day it is imperative that an action be taken to figure out whether or not gmo’s are the major contributing factor to the epidemic of colony collapse disorder, the disappearing of the honey bees. Also realizing that there are many factors in the bee’s disappearance that can help create an awareness that will bring change. Actively searching for answers and ways to organically increase crop production that will not harm the helpful insects is a must.

Gmo’s may sound like the next best thing for a better crop production, but all the side effects need to be weighed out. The only hope the bees have for a future is to look to a new source of how crops are grown. Maybe organic is the better way to go not only for the bees but for the people as well. Who knows what Bt and Cry1Ab are doing to the human race.

References:

Genersch, E. (2010). Honey bee pathology: current threats to honey bees and beekeeping.

Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, 87(1), 87-97. doi:10.1007/s00253-010-2573-8

Kaplan, J. (2008). A Complex Buzz. Agricultural Research, 56(5), 8-11.

Donovan, P. (2009). Genetically Modified Crops Implicated in Honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder.

Retrieved from   http://www.naturalnews.com/025287.html

Gitlin, B. (2009). Is Bee Colony Collapse Disorder linked to GMOs?

Retrieved from http://gmo-journal.com/index.php/2009/09/24/is-bee-colony-collapse-disorder-linked-to-gmos/