Topic 3: Feeding a Growing Population vs. Conserving Biodiversity

A common debate that many discuss would be the difference between industrial agriculture versus sustainable agriculture and which one is overall more beneficial. Both have many pros and cons, however, there are many factors that should be considered before taking one side. You may be wondering, what exactly do these two terms mean and how are they different to one another?

Industrial agriculture would be defined as the modern farming technique that refers to the advanced process of growing, harvesting and processing of livestock breeds and crops varieties using intensive machinery. Industrial farming utilizes fertilizers, pesticides, genetic technology, artificial selection, large amounts of irrigation water and creates new markets for consumption. All these chemicals are dangerous and can without question affect us in a way. Not only that, but by using these methods of industrial agriculture, we are harming our environment, disrespecting animals as well.

On the other hand, sustainable agriculture is the form of manual farming and deals with plant and animal production using the principles of ecology. There are many great and positive characteristics which include conservation and preservation, biodiversity, animal welfare, economically viable and all-in-all it is socially and morally just. In the long term, sustainable agriculture will benefit us in more ways than one and will protect the planet for future generations.

In comparison, it is obvious that sustainable agriculture is the healthier and better choice. Many argue with the fact that industrial agriculture and its benefits cannot outweigh the costs and dangers that come along with it. From my research, I was able to become more familiar with the breeds of livestock and varieties of crops grown to produce to food we eat. I have found that there are many food products out there (some even my favourite) have gone through artificial selection which is being able to produce plants and animals with the traits we want. However, it is ethically wrong to try and change the natural aspects of our world.

Now, with that said, perhaps there is a question of what would happen if we relied on sustainable agriculture. Would the agriculture industry be able to keep up with the rapid growth of the global population? Or would we have to rely on machinery and industrialized farming in order to feed the amount of people in our world? The answer is yes, industries will be able and can keep up with this growing population. The amount of food we waste is increasingly and unnecessarily becoming larger. People need to learn how to only take what they need instead of throwing out food that can be consumed. With that, we need to work in keeping our environment healthy and develop good habits in order to preserve our world.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/how_industrial.php
http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html
http://sustainableagriculture.net/about-us/what-is-sustainable-ag/
http://www.worldvision.ca/Education-and-Justice/advocacy-in-action/Pages/what-a-waste-the-food-we-throw-away.aspx
http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2009/05/industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php
http://www.worldvision.ca/Education-and-Justice/advocacy-in-action/Pages/what-a-waste-the-food-we-throw-away.aspx

Topic 2: Designer Babies

This term "Designer Baby" is used by many journalists to describe a procedure where reproductive technologies now give power to parents and doctors to design the charateristics of their own child. From genetic disorders, healthy embryos, eye colour and even determine their height. Advanced technologies involve many techniques where InVitro Fertilisation is used to fertilise eggs with sperm in test tubes. Types of sperm is chosen to determine the sex and genes of the baby, then the screening of the embryos for a genetic disease. This process is better known as Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis.

The human research into genetic processes is advancing beyond our control. Its like people will never be satisfied with what they were given with by God and will always expect to have more using this technology. I admit, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis has many advantages for the future but is it really necessary that parents and doctors decide on whom their children will become? Through this ability, man kind is taking advantage of making perfect babies and imitating God as we speak. Not all people were born perfect and that is how it should be.

Though many people have considered this procedure to be abnormal, there are many proven advantages to designing their children the way they want them to be. A situation such as an ordinary family with recent history on many illnesses and diseases are more likely to conceive a child with the same symptoms. But through Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, parents are able to avoid disorders that the baby would develop as it grow, not only protective the baby but the people around as well. Nevertheless, if a technology such as this is presented to the public for cosmetic and medical purposes, society would quickly change their minds on portraying a "perfect" baby is wrong.

All in all, I believe that this procedure bears great problems. Though our research and technologies have made incredible breakthroughs in the past, some of us wonder what else can we do or if there is a limit. Designer babies have many advantages and disadvantages that will help society but it is also faced with great responsibility. In a matter of time, doctors will be able to do more than alter genetics such as eye and hair color but abuse this technology for its inhumane uses.

To conclude, Genetic Engineering should never be tampered with. At times, things are better left unsaid and let nature and God take its course.

Sources:

http://www.hfea.gov.uk/glossary_p.html

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

Comments:

Philip Sapuay: http://biologywaytogo.blogspot.com/2011/05/recreating-creation.html#comments

Jerwin Lalata: http://jerwinbioblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/designer-babies_12.html#comments

Topic 1: Positive Impacts Humans have on Biodiversity

Although many have considered humans to be the most invasive and destructive species because of how greatly they can affect the enviroment, they could also impact biodiversity in a positive way. Humans have mostly been focused on the negative damages that they have done that the action of fixing these problems are never seen or mentioned.






The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University is a place where scientists, engineers and taxonomists work together to share their experiences and to discover, describe and classify the millions of species that remain unknown to science and the society. When introduced to these new species, we gain more knowledge and more aware of our own ecosystem. Their mission is to inspire, encourage and further the advancement of taxonomy and exploration of earth's species.

The Institute and an international committee of taxonomists recently have published their yearly "Top 10" list of new, discovered species from around the world. The annual list of new accessible species had helped scientists to draw attention to biodiversity and the importance of natural history museums and gardens. Awareness for accurate taxonomy have been highlighted by various species to create medicine and proper treatment. Some of these species that help humans become more aware are:








Oxyuranus temporalis
Known to be one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Its closest relatives in the animal kingdom are the inland and coastal taipans, which are ranked first and third most venomous snakes. The discovery of the Oxyuranus Temporalis, which was only known from a single specimen emphasizes how little is known of large animals in harsh habitats such as the isolated region of Australia. It also caused awareness in the need of precise taxonomy for treatment of venomous bites.

Organizations such as the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University are just one of many organizations that prove human interaction in our enviroment are not all negative. Engineers, scientists and taxonomists of the institute have taken action and play an important role in documenting species and making society more aware of its own biodiversity.

References:

http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/years-coolest-new-species

http://species.asu.edu/mission

Comments on other bioblogs:

Bridgette Abas: http://bridgettebioblog.blogspot.com/