Genetically Engineered Organisms: The Greatest Threat Ever to Humans and Animals

http://www.relfe.com/GMOs.html

Key Information

• Six years ago, Americans began eating genetically engineered food. Surprised? That's because no one told you. While other countries require mandatory labeling of these food ingredients, our FDA has decided we don't need to know.
• A genetically modified organism (GMO, also called "genetically engineered") is a plant, animal or microorganism (eg, bacteria) that is created by means that overcome natural boundaries. Genetic engineering involves crossing species which could not cross in nature. For example, genes from a fish have been inserted into strawberries and tomatoes.
• Why are companies spending billions on this crazy idea? Because they want to own copyrights on a genes that no one else 'owns' - so that they can make billions of dollars from them.

The purpose of this article is to convince people to not eat genetically modified foods anymore. It is obvious that the author is strongly against GMOs and is willing to put a biased article online to stop people from buying foods that were genetically modified. As far as the reader knows, the author has no positive aspects to genetically modified organisms in his article.

"GMOs: The Greatest Threat Ever to Humans and Animals." Health, Wealth & Happiness. Web. 18 M

ay 2010.

In two articles that I have found, The Good, the 'Bad, and the Ugly of GMOs and No More GMO-Free Foods?!?, there has been little success in finding something that was in favor of GMOs. For example, No More GMO-Free Foods wants foods that have GMOs in it to be labelled. How

ever, not all articles are as biased as this one or the other one that we have read before. In the Good, the 'Bad, and the Ugly of GMOs, they state the positive sides of genetically modified organisms as well as the down side of it, hence the name The Good, the 'Bad, and the Ugly of GMOs. In that article, it states that farmers do not have to work as hard to plow or maintain crops because they have been modified to withstand weather and be

ing able to survived without being plowed; it also states that companies like Monsanto are "copyrighing" the seeds they modified so farmers cannot legally keep seeds for the fol

lowing year. The first article we have read, Genetically Engineered Organisms: The Greatest Threat Ever to Humans and Animals, was very biased compared to the unbiased article.

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of GMOs - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com." Opinion - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com. Web. 20 May 2010. .

"No More GMO-free Food?! | Gather." Make Money Writing Online | Gather. Web. 20 May 2010. .

This first article was obviously biased. First of all, the title itself says that GMOs are the greatest threat EVER to humans and animals. That may seem a little bit harsh or overwhelming to think as a reader to first read that title. Secondly, the word choice is obvious that the author is attacking GMOs. For example, the article's first bullet point comes out with a harsh "hooker" (with the word "Surprised?"). However, through pictures and captions, there are no bias founded in this article. This article is extremely biased because of its word choice, tone, title, and the lack of adding positive advantages of GMOs.

Vatican To Fund Adult Stem Cell Research

http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=156095

• The Vatican is reportedly going to fund adult stem cell research.

• The three-million-dollar grant will allow an international coalition of scientists to study the potential of intestinal stem cells.

• While the church disapproves of embryonic stem cell research, which it says is the equivalent of taking a human life, it has supported research using adult stem cells.

• Although dioceses in Australia and South Korea have funded adult stem cell research in the past, the Vatican has never sponsored the research itself.

  
  
  Reflection
  When I first read this article,I was a bit confused on why the Vatican, one of the most catholic places in the world, was funding stem cell research, which was like "acting God" and is against one of the Ten Commandments.I then read that they were ok with researching stem cells as long as it is from an adult and not from an unborn embryo, which the most valuable stem cells are found. It is interesting to see what type of actions the Church does and does not allow.
  
  
  "Vatican To Fund Adult Stem Cell Research." Mystateline.comm. 23 Apr. 10. Web. 15 May 10. .
  
  
  
  

GMO Billboard Campaign launched

http://media-newswire.com/release_1117484.html

• Greenpeace has responded to the European Commission’s controversial decision to authorise the Amflora genetically modified ( GM ) potato with a billboard campaign across Brussels, Belgium.
• The Amflora decision went against the will of EU member states, public opinion, and the advice of international medical experts such as the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and the European Medicines Agency ( EMEA ), who stressed the vital importance of antibiotics affected by the potato’s genetic makeup.
  
• Health Commissioner John Dalli and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso are depicted as spoof chefs cooking up GM recipes for disaster; Greenpeace is disappointed that Dalli’s first decision on the matter disregarded the health advice of the WHO and EMEA.
• The billboards are a taste of things to come as Greenpeace turns the spotlight on the Commission and its indigestible pro-GMO agenda.

Reflection

When I read this article, I was prepared to hear that greenpeace was involved in this controversial topic. Greenpeace put a petition by placing billboards all over Brussels, Belgium to stop genetically modified potatoes from being sold and consumed by the citizens of Belgium. I think that GMOs should be used at a certain level and that the growth of organic foods should be just as important.

"GMO Billboard Campaign Launched." Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency. Web. 17 May 2010. .

South Africa cancer trek: Crew rounds Capes on PWCs

http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=46623

• The Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA jet ski team reached the halfway mark of their epic 2800km jet ski journey, and also rode past the most Southern Point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, on the previous days leg from Mossel Bay to Klein Baai.
• The expedition is aimed at raising funds and awareness for cancer and CANSA and is supported by SPAR and IT partner ACER. The team ran into adverse weather conditions as they reached Cape Town, forcing the five jet ski riders and 4 crew members to delay the 150km ride to Big Bay, and the subsequent journey up the West Coast to the Namibian border.
  
• It was great to see the guys pulling together and toughing it out. As bad as the weather was, we knew that it was going to get worse over the next few days, and as such we are relieved to have reached Cape Town before the worst of the weather arrived,” said Barry Lewin.
• The jet ski team passed the 1400km mark 60km into the 136km 13th leg between Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay.

Reflection When I read this article, I was thrilled to hear that yet another group is trying to raise money for cancer research. Cancer kills so many people in the United States and in the entire world that money is appreciated from anywhere it is from. This group jet skied around the southern most tip of Africa for this cause, and I am so happy that there are still people like them left in this world.

"South Africa Cancer Trek: Crew Rounds Capes on PWCs." Surfing News & Contests, Surf Reports & Forecasts. Web. 17 May 2010. .

Proposed US law to mandate GMOs?

http://www.biofortified.org/2010/04/proposed-us-law-to-mandate-gmos/

• The Global Food Security Act of 2009, S.384 has a few clauses that have anti-biotech activists all worked up.
• One of the biggest arguments against improved seed, whether biotech or simply hybrid, is that it is developed by corporations. To be fair, this is often true in the United States. The US government decided decades ago to leave crop improvement to corporations. The USDA still does a little work in crop improvement, but this work doesn’t result in many released varieties.
• Titles I and III don’t mention biotechnology or any other specific farming or research methods, so they haven’t raised any controversy to my knowledge. Title II lists quite a few changes that most would argue are favorable for agriculture in developing nations.
• The Act does not say “include genetic engineering to the exclusion of anything else”. It doesn’t even say “include biotechnology to the exclusion of anything else” (biotechnology includes marker assisted selection (pdf) as well as genetic engineering and other techniques).

Reflection

When I first read this article, I was amazed to find out that the United States government is getting involved in this controversial topic by passing an act on GMOs. The author of this article was pointing out the good parts and bad parts about this act. Some of the clauses in this act got a lot of people upset, but it is hard to please everybody with such a controversial topic as GMOs.

Bodnar, Anastasia. "» Proposed US Law to Mandate GMOs?" Biofortified. 22 Apr. 10. Web. 17 May 2010. .

Cannot See the Forest through the GMO Trees

http://www.naturalnews.com/028618_GMOs_foods.html

• After many questions on "what's next?" during the 1960s-70s, scientists started to add GMOs to trees.
• According to the documentary "Silent Forest," GMOs are the greatest threat to forests since the chainsaw.
• GMO trees are genetically designed to create their own pesticide, so if you eat fruits or nuts from one of those trees, you may have your own pesticides mingling in your gut and messing with those friendly bacteria permanently.
• But Rod Harbinson, a GEFF (GE Free Forest) spokesperson said in 1999,"The science is moving so fast they are not considering the effect on the environment. ... There has already been a case with GM aspens in Germany flowering [enabling pollination of other trees]when they were supposed not to be able to. We are alarmed that these trees will pollute the environment." (emphasis added)

Reflection

When I read this article, I realized that it was very biased. The author did not bring up the positive side of GMOs. Unfortunately, the author also attacks the scientists that are in favor of Genetically Modified Organisms. If the author was not as biased, then I could have enjoyed this article more. Regardless, I still enjoyed this article.

Fassa, Paul. "Cannot See the Forest through the GMO Trees." Naturalnews.com. 21 Apr. 10. Web. 13 May 10. .

Zimbabwe: Adequate Research On GMOs Needed

http://allafrica.com/stories/201004300037.html

• Zimbabwe has been experiencing an influx of such imports as cereal products, chickens, and drugs suspected to originate from genetically modified organisms thereby raising debate on the safety of such products on people's health and the environment.
• Most GMO products are not labelled.
• The Secretary for Science and Technology Development, Professor Francis Gudyanga, said it is the task of the National Biotechnology Authority, NBA, to detect the presence of the GMOs in imports at all of the country's entry points.
• South Africa, which produces GMO maize, cotton and soya beans and does not distinguish GMOs from non-GMOs, is responsible for most of Zimbabwe's GMO import.

Reflection

When I read this article, I found out that even one of the most failed states do not want genetically modified foods. I never knew how controversial something like genetically modified foods could be, and for it to be denied by a country who desperately needs food means that it is extremely controversial.

"Zimbabwe: Adequate Research On GMOs Needed." Reuters.com. 30 Apr. 10. Web. 13 May 10.

Researchers: Breast cancer gene markers show increased risk of disease Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/05/10/2010-05-10

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/05/10/2010-05-10_researchers_breast_cancer_gene_markers_show_increased_risk_of_disease.html

• Researchers at Oxford University have identified five common genetic variants that are linked to a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
• The five "spots" bring to 18 the number of genetic clues that link to a slightly higher risk of the disease, which according to the National Cancer Institute kills more than 40,000 women in the United States each year.
• "We know for sure that these gene variations are associated with risk," University of Cambridge's Dr. Douglas Easton, the study's lead author, told the BBC. "It is not the whole picture but it will contribute ultimately to genetic profiling of risk."
• While the exact causes of breast cancer are still not known, it's believed that one in twenty cases may be linked to family history. Having a grandmother who developed breast cancer in her 80s is not as worrisome as having a mother and sisters who got breast cancer before menopause, Josephs says.

Reflection

When I read this article, I was thrilled when I found out that researchers are even closer to finding and possibly curing breast cancer. Breast cancer has taken so many lives in the United States and around the world, it was finally relaxing to realize that there are people trying to fix this universal problem.

Black, Rosemary. "Researchers: Breast Cancer Gene Markers Show Increased Risk of Disease Read More: Http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/05/10/2010-05-10_researchers_breast_cancer_gene_markers_show_increased_risk_of_disease.html#ixzz0nosvn3pb."Nydailynews.com. 10 May 10. Web. 13 May 10.

Prostate cancer therapies all affect quality of life

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B5EA20100512

• The various forms of prostate cancer treatment -- from surgery to radiation to hormones -- can all have long-term effects on men's quality of life when it comes to sexual function and urinary problems, a new study finds.
• On the other hand, researchers found, none of the treatments seemed to have strong effects on men's overall quality of life -- including energy levels, pain, emotional well-being and ability to perform day-to-day physical tasks, like walking, climbing stairs and carrying groceries.
• The majority -- 60 percent -- underwent radical prostatectomy, surgical removal of the prostate gland. Another 17 percent had brachytherapy, an internal form of radiation therapy in which radioactive "seeds" are implanted in the prostate gland, and 12 percent had externally delivered radiation.
• In this study, the researchers found that, in general, men who had surgery or any form of radiation saw their urinary symptoms worsen in the first year after treatment, based on their responses to standard quality-of-life questionnaires. As a group, surgery patients had the most problems.

Reflection

When I read this article, I discovered many new things that I have never knew before. For example, I never knew that a surgery for prostate cancer can affect your future life so drastically. I also found out that the treatments are not the ones that affect your social and sexual life but the surgery. I would have always thought that the treatment would be the cause of most of the side effects.

"Prostate Cancer Therapies All Affect Quality of Life." Reuters.com. 12 May 10. Web. 13 May 10. .

GMOs, food security and misplaced aid -- an interview with Kenya's Jos Ngonyo

http://www.seattlepostglobe.org/2010/05/11/gmos-food-security-and-misplaced-aid-an-interview-with-kenyas-jos-ngonyo

• Forty thousand tons of genetically engineered maize was recently rejected in Kenya. Protesters are making sure it remains stuck in the port city of Mombassa.
• Jos Ngonyo talked about why small-scale farmers reject the Green Revolution in Africa and “dysfunctional aid”; The Gates Foundation helped launch the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa four years ago.
• Ngonyo says that Genetically Modified Seeds are threatening Kenya's old-fashioned "heat the maize seeds and plant them." She says that Kenyan farmers cannot keep Monsanto's seeds because it is no longer theirs. This is jeopardizing Kenyan farmers.

Reflection

When I first read this article, I was a bit confused because Kenya is a failed state, and it needs as much help as it can get. When I read on, however, I noticed that Jos Ngonyo makes a very valid point on how Monsanto would try to manipulate Kenya because it will contain their invention of Genetically Modified Seeds. It showed me how something as simple as seeds could now be owned by a company.

Baskin, Martha. "GMOs, Food Security and Misplaced Aid -- an Interview with Kenya's Jos Ngonyo." Seattlepostglobe.org. 11 May 10. Web. 12 May 10. .

Sorry, you can't sue over penis cancer

http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2010/05/sorry-you-cant-sue-us-for-the-penis-cancer.html

• Francisco Castaneda was an illegal immigrant who got busted on a meth charge and was sent to a federal facility.
• Unfortunately, Castaneda had penis cancer. Instead of treating him, officials gave him ibuprofen, antibiotics and extra underwear.
• It took 10 months to get a biopsy, and even after the amputation, it was too late -- the cancer had spread, and he died.
• His family tried to sue the individual employees who handled Castaneda's case. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, said that those people can't be sued as long as they were carrying out their official duties.
  

Reflection

When I first read the title of this article, I laughed to myself a little. When I read this article, I found out that practically anybody in the world can get cancer, and that not everybody will be there for you when you do. In this case, the officials did not give Castaneda the proper medical attention he needed to stay alive, and he died. The officials did not even get punished for their lack of action for they were carrying out their official duties.

"Sorry, You Can't Sue over Penis Cancer." Blogs.kansascity.com. 4 May 10. Web. 8 May 10.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer Therapy Reduces Mastectomies, Saves Breast

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119103735.htm

• A new treatment developed and tested by University of Oklahoma researchers not only killed large cancer tumors, but reduced the need for mastectomies by almost 90 percent.
• "This therapy is a major advancement for women with later stage breast cancer. Right now, most patients with large tumors lose their breast. With this treatment along with chemotherapy, we were able to kill the cancer and save the breast tissue," said William Dooley, M.D., a researcher at the OU Cancer Institute and the director of surgical oncology at OU Medicine.
• In the most recent study, researchers tested the Focused Microwave Thermotherapy on tumors that were an inch to an inch and a half in size. These large tumors usually require mastectomies. When researchers used the heating therapy within two hours of patients receiving chemotherapy, the tumor was more susceptible to the chemotherapy and shrunk rapidly.

Reflection

When I read this article, I was relieved to hear that there is an advancement in curing breast cancer. It is good to know that woman in the later stages of breast cancer still can survive without removing any one of their breasts. Researchers use a new type of therapy called Focused Mircowave Thermotherapy to reduce large tumors if done within two hours of when the patients received chemotherapy. It is good to know that woman with breast cancer can still live normal lives.

University of Oklahoma. "Breakthrough Breast Cancer Therapy Reduces Mastectomies, Saves Breast." ScienceDailyhttp://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/01/100119103735.htm>.