Generic Engineering is now being used in the farming industries that produce some of the foods that we eat. Some of this generic engineering are more extreme than others. For example, the golden rice project. It is said to be the solution for the poor countries starvation problem. How so? Well it is a bio-fortified rice or a rice that has been chemically enriched with vitamins. It sounds like a good idea doesn't it? I think it is a great idea that something like this is being developed for those who are less fortunate than others. I also believed that there are other ways of helping countries that are in need. I believe that instead of genetically engineering food, we tax those "rich" individuals, major companies and donate that money to buy more food for the needy. I believe generic engineering food is not the only answer. What about the water that these people so badly need? Why not help these people grow their own foods and help them with acquiring an education. Why not help them with more stable living environments? I believe if we have the money to make new foods, then we have the money to help them in other important ways. I do like the idea of the golden rice project, but I feel that if we just rely on helping poor countries with fortified rice as a solution for their starvation problems, then other health problems might get over looked. As good as generic engineering sounds, some it has some individuals worried. I mean this is in a way brand new science. I don't think we know if this could have some medical effect on our bodies. How would our bodies process these foods? Does the fact that the foods that are fortified with some vitamins mean that people will be deficient in other vitamins? So is this really a problem solver or a creation of a new problem, such as developing other vitamin deficiencies, which also causes illnesses. People don't even know that some vitamins work well with the help of other vitamins and minerals. Another problem that I see with generic engineering food is that some of these foods are being made so that insects and other pesticides don't eat up the plants, because it kills them off if they do eat them. This has people wondering if we," the consumer" could be harming ourselves by ingesting these foods. I my self believe that some of these processed foods are the cause for the increase in the cancer rates here in the U.S. I worry that the rate of cancer will continue to increase, if we continue to manipulate the foods that we eat. I also believe that these chemicals that are being put into the soils for the growth of these processed foods, will have an effect on other plantations and animals near them, through cross contamination (water leaks, winds, etc.). Some individuals see this as playing GOD and to a certain extent, I feel the same way. I believe that the more things we learn about science, the more harm we will be causing not only to our selves, but to our living environment in the near future. Some of the harm, like I mentioned prior, will be the increase in cancer rates, and other diseases, such as early deaths caused by some chemical that was used. The scary thing is that these problems don't arise, until years later, so it will be very hard to know for sure, if generic engineering foods is safe or not. This is why I believe that the government should not have a complete say on what products should be genetically engineered. We as the consumer, should also have a say in this, since we are the ones who will be paying for what we consume.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Generic Engineering
Just what is generic engineering? According to UCSUSA genetic engineering refers to a set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms. The techniques involve highly sophisticated manipulations of genetic material and other biologically important chemicals. These genes are what gives organisms their characteristics (blueprints). By transporting these genes or traits from one organism to another, it creates a new organism with a new set of genes or characteristics.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
How Green is Our Campus?
So I went around our campus to observe how green we are. I believe our campus is not green enough. I noticed that last quarter, there was a trash bin, with 3 compartments (cans, trash, plastic). I only saw 2 of these bins in the 3rd floor eating area, and in the basement eating area. I also noticed that in the 2nd floor computer lab, there was no recycling bin for paper (there was 1 trash bin, with all the unwanted paper along with other trash). In our library, there were 3 small bins (for which I assumed were for recycling paper, because they had no label on them). These bins were next to the printer, which was a good place for them, but as I did some work in the library, I noticed that some of the students who were also doing work there, threw scrap paper in the regular trash can. Next, I went to 20 different classrooms and none of them had a bin for recycling paper, plastic, or paper. I also did not see one recycling bin for old news papers within the campus (I know many students read the news paper and the red eye). In the women's restroom, I did noticed that there are no paper towels and the toilet paper being used were from recycled paper. I believe our school could be a lot more green. The first step to becoming "green" is to promoting "green". How is a school supposed to be green, if many of the students don't know how to be "green"? This will make students become more aware of their surroundings and will hopefully make them take action. I would start by adding more recycling bins throughout the school, starting from the classrooms, by adding recycling paper bins. I would place 2 more small bins next to trash cans in the hallways, with a sign above saying; "recycle cans or plastic". Most of the students that I know take public transportation to school, because of the U-PASS we acquire from school. This I believe is also a good start of being more "green". A good recycling program should be developed to encourage students to be more green. Just like they awarded a student last year with a free lab top for registering for classes early, this should also be available for students who help the most with making our campus more green. According to The Princeton Review, UIC was one of the 286 elected "green colleges". They have many Eco-friendly programs that helped them get noticed. Here is a little bit of info I found on their website. Recycling Program, the UnPlug! Campaign, and Climate Action Plan. To see UIC's entry and the other colleges chosen, download the free “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges.” I know that UIC is a much bigger University, but this is no excuse for East West not to become more efficient on being green. I know a lot of it is done through funding, but we could have fundraising events to help us.
Here are some links that will help us be more green:
http://www.ulsf.org/pdf/going_green_saves_green.pdf
http://corporatekindness.org/blog/green-office/?gclid=CPa6rLWEpagCFQnrKgod0D1OIQ
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/28WaysToMakeYourFunEcoFriendly.aspx
http://freelanceswitch.com/working/29-simple-ways-to-become-a-more-environmentally-friendly-freelancer-help-us-donate-500-to-charity/
Here are some links that will help us be more green:
http://www.ulsf.org/pdf/going_green_saves_green.pdf
http://corporatekindness.org/blog/green-office/?gclid=CPa6rLWEpagCFQnrKgod0D1OIQ
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/28WaysToMakeYourFunEcoFriendly.aspx
http://freelanceswitch.com/working/29-simple-ways-to-become-a-more-environmentally-friendly-freelancer-help-us-donate-500-to-charity/
Cloud Color Observation
My observation for my environmental class, was on the color of clouds. I learned that the sun has a lot to do with the color that a cloud has. When clouds are bright white, is because the sunlight reflects form the water droplets within the clouds. When clouds have different shades of gray-like color, it is usually do to another cloud's shadow and when it is very cloudy outside, the clouds cover the sun, which results in their gray color. The best effect that the sun has on the color of the clouds, it mostly at sunset (sunrise also affects it, but I prefer the appearance on the clouds at sunset). During my observation, I also noticed that on cloudy days, I my self tend to be in a not so productive mood, but on a sunny day with bright white clouds, I feel very happy and ready to work whatever it may be, (yard work, wash car, in house, etc.). I learned this week in class about the water cycle and how critical it is to life on earth. This water cycle also has an affect on clouds. Just like plants are powered by energy from the sun, so is our water bodies (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc). This is a cycle that with the sun's help it creates the processes of evaporation, precipitation, and transpiration. This is mother nature's way of basically using the water bodies, cleaning them and putting it back on earth (kind of like how we recycle and reuses things). These processes are affected by the human population, due to covering of land with new roads, new buildings, parking lots, etc, which increase the risk of flooding. Tis makes me wonder what other project is being thought of just around the corner?. How many more Walgreens, CVS, McDonalds and gas stations will be build on a 2 mile radius?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Biography
Hello there, I am originally from Puerto Rico. I have lived in Chicago for 21years and surprisingly, I just can't get used to the extreme cold weather. I am an ultrasound tech and have been working in the field for 7yrs. I love the medical field and have always been interested in it. I planned to further my education in the near future and might go into med school. I love working and helping people (specially those in need). This will be my last quarter @ EW and I have to say, it was a good experience. I love the Biology department. Environmental Science was a class that I elected, due to poor scheduling on the school's behalf. I have to admit that even though it was not my first choice for an elective, it has been pretty interesting this first week.
I like to go for long walks just about anywhere, as long as the weather permits it. I like to ride my bike, go to the lake in the summer time, play softball, volleyball and exercise at the gym. I consider my self a pretty active person. I am currently working on bettering my eating habits as well as my family's. I strongly think that eating well will prolong our lives. I love animals, especially dogs. I am very outgoing and a workaholic. I've been working since the age of 15 and have not stopped since. That just shows you that I am a very independent woman.
One interesting thing I learned in class this week was about how poverty affects the environment. It's funny how I saw (and I am sure others also see it this way) poverty as just people not eating well or at all. As not having proper clothing or good education or not having money. I never saw poverty as something that will actually have an effect on the environment. As I read in the chapter, it became clear to me how it does have an affect on the poor people. One example was not having adequate sanitation. Most of the people use the lake, rivers, etc. to urinate or defecate. Then, at the same time they use the same water to bathe, drink and cook. This is a huge problem for these people, especially the young children, because it causes them to get sick from all the bacteria in the water. These are some of the websites that I found on environmental topics:
www.livescience.com
environmentalresearchweb.org
www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/.../surfing_the_net_with_kids/ - (this one is for kids) ;)
I like to go for long walks just about anywhere, as long as the weather permits it. I like to ride my bike, go to the lake in the summer time, play softball, volleyball and exercise at the gym. I consider my self a pretty active person. I am currently working on bettering my eating habits as well as my family's. I strongly think that eating well will prolong our lives. I love animals, especially dogs. I am very outgoing and a workaholic. I've been working since the age of 15 and have not stopped since. That just shows you that I am a very independent woman.
One interesting thing I learned in class this week was about how poverty affects the environment. It's funny how I saw (and I am sure others also see it this way) poverty as just people not eating well or at all. As not having proper clothing or good education or not having money. I never saw poverty as something that will actually have an effect on the environment. As I read in the chapter, it became clear to me how it does have an affect on the poor people. One example was not having adequate sanitation. Most of the people use the lake, rivers, etc. to urinate or defecate. Then, at the same time they use the same water to bathe, drink and cook. This is a huge problem for these people, especially the young children, because it causes them to get sick from all the bacteria in the water. These are some of the websites that I found on environmental topics:
www.livescience.com
environmentalresearchweb.org
www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/.../surfing_the_net_with_kids/ - (this one is for kids) ;)
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