Agricultural Issues: Genetic Modification.

Agricultural Issues: Genetic Modification Scientists are developing ways to make new genetically modified (GM) food that could transform the way we feed ourselves. GM crops may enable more food to be produced from less land using less water and fewer chemicals. However, some people question whether this "gene revolution" will really reduce hunger in the world. Others worry that it is being pushed too quickly without enough consideration of its long term impact. Throughout the world there are drastic inequalities in food supply with the emergence of areas of surplus and famine. The cause of such inequalities vary from physical to human and political. Most of the responses to these problems have been driven by high income, high technology MEDC's or trans-national companies. The impacts of the Green Revolution, intensification of farming and the development of genetically-modified foods have varied. Some are economic while others have been social or environmental: some have brought benefits, while others have created problems and some may be focused upon the environment e.g., organic farming. Throughout the world genetic modification has been used freely for more that a decade as a research tool for medical purposes and in food ingredients. It holds exiting promise, not only for conquering disease, eliminating pests and contributing to the knowledge economy but for enhancing

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Cloning. Should it be banned? I will explain all the different types of cloning and I will be researching the scientists evidence behind each method and evaluating whether or not it is reliable

By Jonathan Stockdale Page 1 - Title page Page 2 - Contents Page 3 - Introduction into Cloning, and Asexual reproduction Page 4 - Asexual reproduction continued Page 5 - Asexual reproduction continued, and Religious views on cloning Page 6 - Religious views on cloning continued Throughout this investigation I am going to be looking at the arguments for and against cloning. I will explain all the different types of cloning and I will be researching the scientist's evidence behind each method and evaluating whether or not it is reliable. I will also be imputing my points of view on the points made, and this will put across the positive or negative aspects of cloning. What is a clone? Clones are genetically identical living organisms and can be produced commercially by taking cuttings. All the clones of 1 plant have the same genes and the same genetic history so therefore they have the same characteristics. There are many different types of cloning such as, asexual reproduction, commercial cloning of plants, animal cloning, and human reproduction. An insight into asexual reproduction. Plants can reproduce asexually. Asexual reproduction is reproduction which does not involve meiosis, or fertilization. Only one parent is involved in asexual reproduction. A more scientific definition is Agamogenesis which refers to reproduction without the fusion of gametes. 'Asexual

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Effects of Genetic Engineering

The Impact of Genetic Engineering on Society Word Count: 748 Abstract The following article will discuss and go into depth about the facts about genetic modification on food, animals and even humans. Genetic engineering has both positive and negative sides to it. This article will explore both sides of genetic modification and its effects on society. Introduction Genetic engineering is the use of modern biotechnology techniques to alter the genes of an organism, such as a plant or animal. There are many positive and negative sides to genetic engineering. To some people, genetic engineering is the chance for an improved and healthier life, but there are others who fear that it is "playing God" and there is no evidence that genetically enhanced organisms will have a positive effect on our society over time. Each of these views is correct in certain ways. Genetic engineering could be used to enhance people's lives, but it could also be used to harm people's lives. Discussion Genetic modification is a significant issue that involves the whole community because of the mass amount of genetically enhanced foods being produced and consumed on a daily basis. Many buyers are unaware of the fact that if the food they are consuming does not say "organic" it means that there are at least 70% genetically modified foods inside of that product. Although many people are in favour of

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Cloning means making a living thing from another living thing such as a plant or animal. The process uses the genes of the first so they both have identical DNA.

TRANSLATION PRACTICE -1st year CLONING Cloning means making a living thing from another living thing such as a plant or animal. The process uses the genes of the first so they both have identical DNA. Cloning isn't new. Nature has been doing it for billions of years with plants. Things like potatoes and grass send out shoots which can grow into a whole new plant. If you grow a plant from a cutting it's a type of cloning. And identical twins are naturally-occurring clones of each other even though they're genetically different from their parents. In the last few decades scientists have been trying to clone animals. They transplant DNA (the gene pattern which makes living things unique) from the cell of one animal into the cell of another which has had its DNA taken out. Now scientists in America have announced that they have created a clone of a human embryo. In 1997 Dolly the sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Scientists in Scotland used a new type of technique. When Dolly was born months later, it had taken 276 tries to get it right. Since Dolly, cows, pigs, monkeys, rodents, cats, mules, horses and dogs have been cloned. Animals or plants with special qualities could be mass produced to help in the manufacture of important drugs. You could replace pets which have died or even repopulate endangered or extinct species. In 2001 the first

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Research in Genetic Engineering Should Be Halted. Discuss

Research in Genetic Engineering Should Be Halted "The tools of molecular biology have enormous potential for both good and evil. Lurking behind every genetic dream come true is a possible Brave New World nightmare" (Dudley 13). Although we all might not acknowledge it, these words hold the key to the future of mankind. The science of genetic engineering, also referred to as biotechnology, first came into the scientific realm in the 1970s. This recent technology offered a new way to manipulate an organism or a population of organisms. Researchers and scientists from around the world were thrilled at the upcoming knowledge that could answer many of their questions dealing with all aspects of genetics. The new genetic engineering technology was never meant to hurt individuals. On the contrary, it offered promises of manipulating the molecules that make up the genetics of living matter in order to benefit, even save, an individual's life. Although genetic engineering promises good fortune for the human race, many questions have been raised pertaining to issues concerning safety, necessity, and, most of all, morality of the entire enterprise. It has been shown through the years, that genetic engineering not only provides great risks to men, women, and children but also presents potential dangers to the environment. True, genetic engineering can have numerous medical advantages,

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Why is sexual reproduction so common in nature?

Why is sexual reproduction so common in nature? One of the greatest challenges for evolutionary biology is explaining the widespread occurrence of sexual reproduction, and the associated process of genetic recombination. Sexual reproduction involves one individual combining half its DNA with half of DNA of another individual, so that the offspring is only half genetic copy of each parent. However, in asexual reproduction, the offspring are genetic copies of the parent. Thus, sexual reproduction poses an evolutionary problem because it seems to be half as efficient a method of reproducing as asexual reproduction. Asexual females can potentially produce twice as many daughters as sexual females, so that the ratio of asexual to sexual females should initially double each generation, resulting in the 'two-fold cost of sex'.? In addition to this 50% cost and the dilution of the individual's genome, sexual reproduction also presents other disadvantages in comparison to asexual reproduction. First and foremost there is the cost of recombination - favourable gene combinations that have increased in frequency under the action of natural selection are broken up. Secondly, the process of sexual reproduction requires a significant cellular-mechanical cost as sex requires meiosis, syngamy and karyogamy. A great amount of time is taken up by these three processes alone, and far

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Cellular Reproduction

Cellular Reproduction Cellular Reproduction is the process by which all living things produce new organisms similar or identical to themselves. This is essential in that if a species were not able to reproduce, that species would quickly become extinct. Always, reproduction consists of a basic pattern: the conversion by a parent organism of raw materials into offspring or cells that will later develop into offspring. (Encarta, 2) In almost all animal organisms, reproduction occurs during or after the period of maximum growth. (Fichter, 16). But in Plants, which continue to grow through out their lifetime, therefore making the process more complex. Plants' reproduction is usually caused by a stimulant, mostly environmental or growth factors. The reproductive process, whether asexual or sexual always involves an exchange in hereditary material from the parent(s) so that the new organism may also be able to reproduce. Reproductive processes can be categorized in many diffrent ways although the most common is to put them into either asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction is the process by which a single organism gives rise to two or more daughter cells. Most single celled organisms reproduce by the asexual process known as fission, which is commonly called mitosis. Fission (or Mitosis) is the division of one cell into two identical daughter cells.

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The potential benefits and risks of genetically modifying food.

In this essay I will be looking at the potential benefits and risks of Genetically Modifying Food. The idea of genetically modifying food is, and has been, a subject of great debate for quite a while now, and all over the world GM food is available to buy. The argument for and against GM good is split into 4 main groups, the group that think GM is the way forward, and the way to reduce famine, increase health etc, the group that thinks that GM food is the way forward because it increases efficiency, i.e. no pesticides needed, faster growing, better yields etc, then there are the 2 groups against GM foods, those who fear GM foods to be damaging, and that we should only eat organic, and then there are those who believe that GM foods is playing god. Of course, not everyone fits into a single one of these categories, for example many people are on the fence about the issue, there are people who just don't care about the issue, and there are those who cross between the groups. There are some genuine Health risks that could arise from extensive genetic modification of foods, these risks include; New toxins and allergens in foods, Other damaging effects on health caused by unnatural foods, The creation of herbicide-resistant weeds, The spread of diseases across species barriers, Loss of bio-diversity in crops, The disturbance of ecological balance, Artificially induced

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Biology - Cloning. In this case study I shall explain the divisive subject of cloning, I shall endeavour to give an insight into the many factors of cloning, a detailed explanation to what it is and why we do it. I will include what the experts and the pu

Contents . Title Page 2. Contents 3 - 4. Introduction 5. In the News 6. Historical Content 7. Advantages/Disadvantages 8. Discussion 9. Conclusion 0. Bibliography & References Introduction In this case study I shall explain the divisive subject of cloning, I shall endeavour to give an insight into the many factors of cloning, a detailed explanation to what it is and why we do it. I will include what the experts and the public think of this ever growing occurrence. I shall cover the historical background and breakthroughs in the subject, all of this, and backed with my opinion and helpful resources, I hope to deliver a flowing and detailed explanation covering all of the aspects of replicating organisms, combined with detailed explanation covering all related issues. It all began with the ancient Egyptian race, they wanted to clone themselves as an offering to the gods, but this was just an ancient, lost theory. Attempts at cloning ran through the years until 1885. The first cloned animals were created by Hans Driesch. Driesch's original goal was not to create identical animals, but to prove that genetic material is not lost during cell division. His experiments involved sea urchins because they have large embryo cells and grow independently. And then in 1951, scientists cloned a frog egg from the research and experiments from the 1800's. They cloned the frog egg

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Biology Case Study

Should drug trials be allowed? By Roshan Mistry 11O Title Page Pg 1 Contents Page Pg2 Introduction Pg3 What is a Drug Trial? Pg4 Types of Drug Trial (Vitro Tests) Pg5 Types of Drug Trial (Clinical Trial) Pg6 How Can Drug Trials be Harmful? Pg8 How can Drug Trials Be Helpful? Pg8 Should Drug Trials be allowed? Pg9 Bibliography Pg 10 This case study will investigate whether drug trials are safe for people and animals. By reading this you will learn about all the benefits and risks of drug trials, whether it's safe or not. The question of "Should Drug Trials be allowed?" will be answered in this case study. I decided to choose this question as there haven't been many debates about the topic so therefore people are unaware. By writing this case study I hope to inform you about drug trials. I also picked this question as I found it interesting knowing where medicines come from and why we assume they are all safe for us. It also lets us look at the hard work put into developing safe medicines for us to use and how much we rely on the scientists who develop and test the medicines. Where does a new medicine come from? Firstly, you will need to know where new medicines come from. When you are ill, you'll visit the doctor and receive drug prescription. Little do you know about where the drug comes from and how the doctors know it's safe to

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