Piglets Inherit Genetic Modifications for Clean Manure

Canada has approved limited production of animals dubbed "enviropigs™." This is a genetically modified breed of pigs producing up to 65% less phosphorous in pig excrement and urine. They would pass this trait onto their young as well. The issue that "enviro" can be attached to these pigs raises some major questions. Will it really work? What does this mean for the continued debates over GMOs? These pigs are modified using an enzyme known as phytase. They found this enzyme in E.coli bacteria. Scientists also discovered that the trait became inherited. The cost of raising pigs is reduced because farmers do not need to supplement pig diets with phosphorous nor with commercially manufactured phytase. Waste treatment costs, to manage the phosphorous in manure, can also be saved. Canada only approved limited prodution.
Reaction: This is a great advance in GMOs. I remember how in class we learned that people were always having to modify their animals or plants each new season. With these one animal needs to be modified and its done. This also benefits the environment. I am in support of this because it could help the environment and it doesn't seem like humans are going to be too effected by this, since these pigs will probably be saved for breeding. Either way this is a cool advancement in the frontier of GMOs and I am really interested to see if there is a follow up.
Questions:
1) Will it work?
2)What do you think this means for GMO debates?
3)Do you support more research into this topic moving forward? Why or why not.

*link in photo

Round Up Ready GMO Crop May Cause Animal Miscarriges

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/roundup_ready_crops_to_blame_for_animal_miscarriages.php?campaign=th_rss

Summary: Round up ready GMO crops contain an organism in them that is known to cause miscarriges in animals. This organism can reproduce and cause diseases in plants and animals. Scientists say that a moratorium should be put on the sale and planting of round up ready crops. They say that if this is causing disease and miscarriges in animals then we can only imagine what it must be doing to us.
Reflection: This is crazy. How can they allow something that could cause disease and miscarriges to be sold. People need to stop buying these and stop eating them. If we boycott them then they will stop selling them. I know from one of my family members that miscarriges are hard to deal with. If they keep happening many families will be hurt and sad. i do not want to see that happen.
Questions:
1. How do you feel about GMO crops?
2. How do you think you would feel if you or your wife was pregnant and had a miscarrige?
3. How do you think this crop has affected humans so far?

Monsanto's GMO Corn Causes Organ Damage in Rodents

Link to article

Summary: After genetically modifying plants and animals become more and more popular, a new report from International Journal of Biological Science suggests that not all GMO's are safe. They have discovered that three different types of Monsanto's GMO crops cause organ damage in rats. Each of these crops have been approved by safety boards, and are sold in many parts of the world including Europe and the United States. There has been an immediate ban on the import and cultivation of this corn.

Reaction: This is very big news for the GMO cultivation! This proves that GMO's can be very dangerous to us. I think this won't be the only time there will be negative impacts on our bodies and our environment because of GMO's. The safety board should have stricter rules for GMO's now that this discovery has been made. I think it is very scary that this crop has been sold widely around the world, when it could be very harmful to our bodies. They should do many more tests on all GMO crops being sold to protect our environment and our health.

Questions:

1. What do you think they should change or do differently after discovering this?

2. Do you agree with genetically modifying crops?

3. How do you feel about the safety board's decision to approve of this crop?

Genetically Modified Chickens That Don't Transmit Bird Flu Developed; Breakthrough Could Prevent Future Bird Flu Epidemics

Article by: Science Daily( January 14, 2011)

Summary: Researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh have found a way for chickens to stop transmitting avian flu to one another. This could pntentially stop all bird flu outbreaks, and stop this strain of flu from entering the human population. Though the scientists do not know what the effects on humans will be, they are hopefull. To make this achievable the researchers entered a new gene that acts as a "decoy." This decoy acts like a very important part of the bird flu virus. Instead of recognizing the viral genome, the virus recognizes the "decoy." Which in turn prevents the virus from replicating. When chickens were infected with the disease, the research shows that they did not pass the virus to the other chickens who were kept in the same pen; whether they were transgenic or not.

Opinion: I think it is excellent that scientists have found a way to prevent avian flu from being transmitted. I see it as we all eat chicken, so if there is a way for prevention, why should we put ourselves at risk? Also the fact that two different scientists have the same opinion on the matter, makes me feel like the experiment will succeed. With chickens being kept in such tight quarters things are bound to be spread that could not only kill them but us too. I don't really want to take that risk.

Questions:

1.Do you think that theses GM chickens will one day be safe for consumption?

2. What are the possibilities of the avian flu eventually getting into the human population?

3. Is it possible we ourselves have consumed GMO animals, and do you think the effects are good or bad?

California Court Overturns Order to Destroy GMO Beets

Summary: In December 2010, it looked like the GMO controversies would be coming to an end when a federal judge ordered that 258 acres of genetically modified sugar beets be destroyed. This was because the risk of gene contamination in Oregon's Willamette Valley was so great. However, the situation recently got worse when a federal appeals court in San Francisco overturned a previous ruling to destroy the sugar beets. This could be a potential problem because the GMO sugar beets account for 95% of the crop and there are fears that the wind might cross-pollinate with the organic crops.

Reaction: I found this article extremely interesting and I thought it was really strange that our legal system did not follow through with destroying the GMO sugar beets. The owners of organic farms must be furious because the seeds can easily be transported into their farms. After gathering information in class and learning about the major effects GMO's can have on our environment, I do not think they should be used. Not knowing the long term effects of using them is extremely dangerous to the health of humans and the environment.

Questions:

1. Are you for or against GMO's?

2. If you were the judge, how would you handle this situation?

3. How would you feel if you were the organic farmers?