"Three Approved GMO Crops Linked to Organ Damage, New Study Shows"

Key Purpose: The purpose of this article is to alert people of the recently approved GMOs for human consumption

Key Ideas:

• Monsanto has had 3 GMOs approved for public
• The only tests have been done on rats, there have been no human trials
• The three GMOs are Mon 810, Mon 863, and NK 603
• The crops have produced side effects that are able to harm the kidneys, lungs, and heart.
• Governments of the United States and other countries ignored the lack of test results and allowed the production in their countries.

Key Conclusion:

This article made me a little scared. The fact that this big of a problem from GMOs was approved without rigorous testing is frightening. For a GMO to become approved, it must be tested on at least three mammalian species, but these three were only tested on rats. Because of lack of testing, many people will now be eating GMOs that will ultimately cause problems to their vital organs. Even if Monsanto would approve the GMOs, I would think the government would investigate and make sure the proper testing has taken place, but apparently not. This is not just a problem in the U.S. Many other countries have also approved the three GMOs that will could be dangerous to humans. This could only be a start of the problems that will arise as more and more GMOs are produced. Hopefully it will not take many of these mistakes for the government to change its testing process and approval process to keep citizens safe.

"Three Approved GMO Crops Linked to Organ Damage, New Study Shows." Independent News on Natural Health, Nutrition and More. Web. 16 May 2010. .

"Cloned Crops Closer To Being Realized"

Key Purpose: The purpose of this article is to show people the growing possibilites of cloning crops

Key Ideas:

• With Clonal Reproduction farmers and others do not have to gamble on sexual reproduction
• Work from scientists in France and Austria has made it possible for the creation of stable new mutant crops.
• With clonal reproduction farmers can clone their most successful livestock and crops.
• This process occurs when scientists change the process of mitosis to meiosis in the organism's cells.
• The process above can also minimize the chance of genetic diversity.

Key Conclusion:

I am really interested what may be possible with the concept of cloning, something that I would like to see continued. There are two main problems. First, the Catholic Church frowns upon the concept. The church believes that we are tampering with God’s creation. I think that God gave us this gift to learn to enhance the world. By cloning plants, scientists could help millions of people with world hunger. The second problem is that we are just not there yet. It will probably take many years to be able to clone something. I feel this way about astronomy. Everything is out there but we are not technological enough to explore it, as much as I would want to. Everything that is a part of science is mystery, this is what frustrates me, but also what makes me love it.

"Cloned Crops Closer To Being Realized." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Web. 15 May 2010. .

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"Some Weeds, Bugs Grew Resistant to Genetically Engineered Crops"

Key Purpose: The purpose of the article is to show the readers how insects and different weeds are changing due to genetically modified crops.

Key Ideas:

• Different types of weeds have become resistant to herbicides that are distributed to different plants
• Different types of insects have also become resistant to crops that create their own pesticides
• Crops are genetically engineered to resist the herbicide: glyphosate. This allows the weeds to be eradicated without damaging the crops
• A resistance in weeds and insects that have been exposed to the herbicide and pesticide.
• Both the weeds and insects have developed the resistance through evolution: the insects and plants that could survive the herbicides and pesticides lived and passed this trait down through their offspring.
• All of this will save farmers money; farmers will not have to till fields and crops will be healthier without the use of pesticides

Key Conclusion:

A person could react to this article and genetically modified crops in several ways. I see a very large down side, and some very big benefits from this process. The biggest up side to genetically modified foods is that it saves farmers and the people money. Because the farmers do not have to till the fields and buy pesticides, farmers are able to produce more crops. These crops also live longer because of they are genetically modified. But, genetically modified foods do not also just save money, they can be healthier for the people. Because of the lack of pesticides now used, the crops do not contain as many chemicals. While there are several benefits to genetically modified foods, there are some down sides. Possibly the biggest is the fact that it isn't 100% real food. Because the food is modified, many people believe that the food is not safe to eat. Another downside is that we are not certain what can happen with genetically modified foods, if there is a mutation or sudden change in the environment. All of these problems and benefits are needed to be taken into account, but I believe that this is a good thing that can help many people. The problem that farmers have now about the resistances that are occurring in weeds and insects can be solved. There are methods for decreasing the evolutionary processes that are taking place. All in all, I believe that genetically modified foods will be good for the world, but there are some problems that need to be taken care of before we can perfect the production of the food.

"Some Weeds, Bugs Grew Resistant to Genetically Engineered Crops - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 19 Apr. 2010. .

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