Sunday, November 3, 2019
Rhetorical Analysis of No Country for Old Men as a Phychological Essay
Rhetorical Analysis of No Country for Old Men as a Phychological Thriller - Essay Example The idea of killing is familiar to all of the main characters with little to no moral center. The novel is existentialist in its discussion of these crimes, creating no real moral or justice and abandoning the idea of resolution to the existence of the socio-path. He comes and he goes, creating a wake of resolutions when the lives of those he passes are ended. The resolution to his existence is not there, however, which causes many reviewers to take pause. In the Cormac McCarthy novel No Country for Old Men uses symbols of killing, innocence, and a post-apocalyptic idea of morality in which America and the wars of the later 20th century have left people flat and cold, the meaning of life lost in an existential fog. In the opening passage of No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy paints a chilling picture of what it means to be a killer. The main character, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, relates a story of someone he had arrested who had been given the death penalty for a crime that most peopl e thought to be a crime of passion. A nineteen year old boy was dating a fourteen year old girl and had killed her. When he visits, the boy tells him that he had always wanted to kill someone and he had chosen to kill her, not been driven to it by some emotion he could not control. The passage goes on to describe his confession where he admits that he liked the feeling of killing and if he could do it again, he would do it. With this anecdotal tale, McCarthy begins the journey of Bell through a psychological thriller that shifts between soulless men and innocents who do not have a clue about the evil that men will do to each other. The book can be seen as a representation of the gothic Romance thriller with a center of evil through which the rest of the action takes place in psychologically driven tension. Garret calls the moment in which the other characters face the evil in the story as the recognition scene, embedding it into the psychology of evil. In this moment, the benign cha racter sees that they are facing evil and in that moment know their fate which had not been clear to them before this point. One difference that McCarthy places in his work, however, is that the world is relatively flat and without great peaks and valleys of emotion. It is a deconstruction of the metaphysical presence that the character that represents evil, Anton Chigurh, establishes through a lack of thrill despite being a part of what should be a thriller. It is not that the novel does not thrill. What it does not do is feed the reader the emotions associated with the events in the story. Therefore, as Chigurh acts he is even more horrifying because of the dispassionate tone that is related through his series of murders. Before page ten Chigurh has killed to police officers, the first in a struggle after which he calmly does what he needs to in order to quietly escape a police station. The second is even less emotional as he simply steps outside of the car and uses his pressurize d air in which to put a hole in the head of the officer. It is clean, precise and practiced. Chigurh is a man with no soul, one very similar to the one that Bell has described after meeting with the boy before his execution ââ¬â but Chugurh has no emotions about his work and barely registers curiosity at times (McCarthy 1-7). The comparison made between Moss and
Friday, November 1, 2019
Hw Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Hw - Assignment Example Growth in a company creates an important, enthusiastic corporation where individuals see genuine opportunity. At the same time, the management must be careful not to solely make growth its main objective but rather should focus on profitable growth. The main responsibility of marketing is to achieve profitable growth for the company. Marketing must recognize, evaluate and select market opportunities and strategize on how to achieve things. Product-market expansion grid is one of the devices for identifying growth opportunities. There are four strategies one for each and every quadrant in the grid (Yim Hee: 76). The grid has two dimensions which are product and market dimensions. Four growth strategies can be formed from these two dimensions. They include: This is a risky strategy this is because there is inadequate scope for utilizing current expertise or realizing economies of scale especially when you are trying to sell entirely different services or products to different customers. Its main strength is that one business is unlikely to be affected incase one business suffer from adverse circumstances (Yim Hee:
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Thinking Critically Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Thinking Critically - Essay Example This caused for falling of sales from the last three months. Sharmaji firstly identify the problem elaborately. Some problems may become the real problems that may be caused for the falling of sales. Sharmaji critically think the real problems facing in the store and the terms of urgency in the company. In accordance with Sharmaji the real performance of a business is related to the employees. The satisfaction, market trend,working experience, their interest to work are based on the performance of a business. When the marketing trends are changed, it can be motivated by the employees, the employees can find ways to succeed the problem. (University of Phoenix)(1) Sharmaji critically think the problemsââ¬â¢ urgency and criticality. The urgent problems can be impact the storeââ¬â¢s problems in short-term and the critical problems is that can be impact in a significant manner in the operations of the company. He understands that the sales are decreased from the past three months only this store. Any other has not the problems. Because of the competition process that the present marketââ¬â¢s facing problem the sales become fall. For the overcome of the problem they take decision to take alternative solution to this problem.(Koontz)(2) They think to purchase another Store cooling and air-conditioned machine to the store and by this increase the sales. They discussed it with other subordinates and take the decision of purchase. They critically think that his is the only way to achieve the goal. But the legal side takes notice that the new machine has some newly furnished machine and that will cause for the air pollution. They detect the installing of the new machine. By the new machine the company can reduce the cost of electricity and this will cause for increase of the return. But the rules of Law of the companies will not allow for the installation. Sharmaji critically thinking the urgency and
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Dignity Of Women And Domestic Violence
Dignity Of Women And Domestic Violence A lady was crying in the arbitrator room because her husband severely beat him yesterday, the face of the lady was swollen and her hands were injured. It was the case of Domestic violence. Dignity of women should be respected by every individual of the society, because the Women are the equal partner of the society. According to Beijing conference on women Dr Joaquin Navarro-Valls said (1995) The dignity of women is prerequisite to any recognition on the part of the State. Without a clear understanding of the meaning of human dignity, discrimination will never be avoided. But unfortunately such respect and honor could not be maintained and which resulted in an uncompromised issues such as domestic violence. It can be defined as: A continuum of behavior ranging from verbal abuse, physical and sexual assault to rape even homicide. (Department of Health DOH 2000) Domestic violence is the most serious problems that affect the health and wellbeing of the women. It ranges from single injury to life long disabilities. As Marjorie McAtee (2010) mentioned that: Domestic violence can have a number of long-term effects on the women who are often its victims. These effects can extend far beyond immediate injury. It was shocked me when my friend told the story which said lady presented in front of him. The lady told that: I got married at the age of 21 and delivered the first baby girl within the periods of 12 months. On the completion of the second year of my marriage my husband showing irresponsible attitudes towards providing finance and participating in social activities. He starts to abuse language and threaten me; day by day his attitude become worse and he disallowed me to go out even to my parent house. Im so sacred to him. One night he came very late and he was drunk, when I ask the reasons to late and drunk, he come to me and slaps me and start biting me with his belt, its now became his habit to beat , torture and abuse me, many time our neighbors came and intervene us. Im so worried about my baby because I can not give her proper time. I also feel myself unhealthy as physically and mentally. Analysis: Domestic violence is an extended phenomenon. One analysis on the basis of statistics can help us to understand the widespread of this issue. According to Aurat Founadtion press statement: (Feb. 2010). A total of 8548 incidents of violence against women were reported in the four Provinces of Pakistan and in capital territory Islamabad during year 2009. It is not only the nationally spread phenomena but it cross the boundaries and now become the global issue As the Sushma Panday mentioned in her book of Psycho-social aspect of domestic violence: According to UNCIEF study report (2000) 20-50 percent of women population of world is victims of domestic violence. After going through the story, different question has been raised in my mind such as why domestic violence happens? What are the forms of such violence? How it effects on the health of deprived lady as well as other women? And how it can be prevented or avoided? These questions help me to analysis the said story through various literatures. There are different domains or kinds of domestic violence which the victim as well as the under discussion lady has been faced, the first kind of violence is physical abuse in which women are being physically abused by biting, hitting, pouncing, slapping or burning. Another one is emotional or psychological abuse in which women is being humiliated and threaded by spouse. Sexual abuse is a kind of violence in which women is being forced for unsafe or unwanted sex with the same spouse or with others. Femicide is form of violence in which women are killed due gender discrimination; honor killings are one of the examples of femicide. The role of health care provider to identify such form would be helpful to plan smooth treatment process to the women health. According to Wikipedia: All forms of domestic abuse have one purpose: to gain and maintain total control over the victim. Abusers use many tactics to exert power over their spouse or partner. Susan Scott Ricci and Terri Kyle (2008) citied in the book Maternity and Pediatric Nursing that: Nurses play a major role in assessing women who has suffered from some types of violenceà ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¦a visit to a health care agency is an ideal time for women to be assessed for violence. Besides the forms of such violence there are several causes responsible for domestic violence and these causes answered that why domestic violence happened to the said lady as well as the entire victimized women. The individual who grow in an environment where violence is practice or taught is an essential cause of violence, because such individuals develops and grow his perception or thoughts accordingly. Poverty or low socio-economic status is a prominent cause of violence because when the wants and needs not fulfilled, that resulted in domestic violence. That similarly happens in the mentioned story. Addiction is equally responsible for the said violence, As the Bethany Winkel (2009) citied: Almost 80% of domestic violence crimes have a connection to drugs. Therefore, a big part of the solution to domestic abuse is to address the underlying substance abuse. Mental illness is also responsible for the domestic violence. The mentally unhealthy person unable to cope with situations an d domestic violence resulted. Poor self esteem and power relation or male domination is also the cause of said violence, because in our society men treated as head or dominated part of family as compare to women. The role of health care provider to identify specific causes help to guide the victim to resolve the underlying factor of violence. As the Holly McDowall cited: While nurses can help to prevent further abuse by placing barriers between victims and the abuse, this is more complex than referrals to shelters. After being analysis of causes and forms of domestic violence its essay to understand the affects of such violence to health of the deprived lady as well as other victimized women. As Kristen Fraser citied in article of Domestic Violence and Womens Physical Health: Campbell et al. (2002) argue, based on their findings that abused women have increased risk of gynecological, central nervous system and stress-related health problems. Primarily physical health of the women is severely affected from such violence. Bruises, cuts, burns, scars and fractures are some of the sign of the physical violence. Psychological and mental health is also being affected by such violence, depression; stress, anxiety; suicidal ideations and post traumatic syndrome are some of the unhealthy signs which victim as well as deprived lady has been experienced. When the violence is practiced in front of the children it may affect his /her psychological health as well as leads to building up their negative perceptions, similarly happen in mentioned story. When the victim is physically and psychologically is unhealthy can not enjoy the well beings of life and remain unsocialized from family and friends. When one individual is affected in the society from a domestic violence than the concept of violence society is emerged, because every individual is connected to their society as a member. Therefore domestic violence affected the health and wellbeing of the women as well as entire society. In context of said story or deprived lady; her physical health, psychological and social activity is affected from the violence and on other hand her child is also affected as passive member of violence After having the analysis of forms, causes and affects of domestic violence. It is very important to look forward the ways that how said violence can be prevented or avoid for the deprived lady as well as the all victims. cycle of violence theory which was introduce by researcher and feminist Lenore Walker in 1970 which help to understand such violence It include Honey moon Phase, Tension building Phase, and Acting out Phase putting the lady on that cycle we can analysis that problem has been started gradually that leads to severe one. We can avoid such tensions into tension building phase. Another suggestion and recommendation include that self awareness about rights of women, approached for legal rights and mutual consensus is also some of strategies to stop violence. The role of the nurse to in the said violence is very important as Mary Cipriano and Ruth Ludwick citied: The challenge is what nurses can do about it. Ask a woman if she is fearful of harm. Write a letter or speak to a legislator about domestic violence. Volunteer your skills at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Open a discussion with a person from another culture about domestic violence. I conclude by saying that the by proper knowledge and understanding of forms, causes effects and preventive methods of domestic violence women can safe from hazardous effects of violence on health and wellbeing.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Government Funding For The Arts Essay -- essays research papers fc
Government Funding for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts is a government sponsored foundation. The duty of the National Endowment for the Arts is to foster the growth of the arts evenly through the national, state, and local levels of the country. With all of the budget slashing that is now taking place the arts is the first place that people look to take money from. This not only happens on the national level but also in our schools. Many people don't see the arts as important. It is the most important thing that our society has. Art, in each and every form that it comes in, shows us who we are. Our pictures that we paint, our songs which we compose, our theater for which we write, act, and dance for, our buildings which we design, as a whole, explains our culture. Future historians will look back at these things and judge us by our accomplishments in these areas. When we look back in history, we recall it through the greatest past achievements in art: the Sistine Chapel, the great pyramids of Egypt, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and the works of Plato. Shouldn't we be able to show feats just as grand? Most Americans do agree with me. In 1992, a study called the "Americans and the Arts VI" was conducted; it ended with these results: * 60% of the people support the federal support of the arts. * 63% of the people support the state's support of the arts. * 84% of...
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Hr Policies of Ibm by Bal Essay
About ibm IBM is a global technology and innovation company that stands for progress. With operations in over 170 countries, IBMers around the world invent and integrate hardware, software and services to help forward-thinking enterprises, institutions and people everywhere succeed in building a smarter planet. IBM has been present in India since 1992. The diversity and breadth of the entire IBM portfolio of research, consulting, solutions, services, systems and software, uniquely distinguishes IBM India from other companies in the industry. IBM Indiaââ¬â¢s solutions and services span all major industries including financial services, healthcare, government, automotive, telecommunications and education, among others. As a trusted partner with wide-ranging service capabilities, IBM helps clients transform and succeed in challenging circumstances. IBM has been expanding its footprint in India ââ¬â and has a presence in over 200 cities and towns across the country ââ¬â either directly or through its strong business partner network. IBM India has clearly established itself as one of the leaders in the Indian Information Technology (IT) Industry ââ¬â and continues to transform itself to align with global markets and geographies to grow this leadership position. Widely recognised as an employer of choice, IBM holds numerous awards for its industry-leading employment practices and policies. IBM has one of the largest professional workforces in the world today. And what we bring to market is the expertise of our people, a workforce which is responsive to market requirements, with the skills and expertise to deliver value to clients, is resilient to market forces and delivers strong leadership. IBM has retained its position as one of the Worldââ¬â¢s Top Employers of Choice over these years because of its three-fold initiatives for the employees: * Capability: Rigorous and ongoing career/skills development programs * Climate: A challenging, empowering work environment, with world-class infrastructure * Culture: Sensitive to a global workforce The attributes that qualify these 3Cs are the Top Reasons that people come to work at IBM. IBM HR Policies 1. Global employment standards At IBM, we have always set high standards for the way we conduct business ââ¬â in areas from corporate and social responsibility to sound business ethics, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. These Conduct Principles apply to all IBM employees. However, they are not meant to describe the full scope of IBM human resource policies or practices. More detailed statements of policies, procedures and practices are contained in documents such as the IBM Business Conduct Guidelines. Employees are required to comply with all IBM policies, procedures and practices at all times and are responsible for consulting their management if they have any questions. Our goal is to ensure full compliance with these principles by IBM managers and employees. A companion to this document, the IBM Supplier Conduct Principles, governs our relationships with and standards for IBM suppliers. . Forced or involuntary labor IBM will not use forced or involuntary labor of any type (e. g. , forced, bonded, indentured or involuntary prison labor); employment is voluntary. 3. Child labor IBM will not use child labor. The term ââ¬Å"childâ⬠refers to any employed person under the age of 16, or under the age for completing compulsory education, or under the minimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. We support the use of legitimate workplace apprenticeship, internship and other similar programs that comply with all laws and regulations applicable to such programs. 4. Wages and benefits IBM will, at a minimum, comply with all applicable wage and hour laws and regulations, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours, piece rates, nonexempt or exemption classification and other elements of compensation, and provide legally mandated benefits. 5. Working hours IBM will not exceed maximum hours of work prescribed by law and will appropriately compensate overtime. Employees will not be required to work more than 60 hours per week, including overtime, except in extraordinary business circumstances with their consent or where the nature of the position requires such work, as for exempt employees and employees in executive, managerial or professional positions. In countries where the maximum work week is shorter, that standard shall apply. Employees should be allowed at least one day off per seven-day week. 6. Nondiscrimination and harassment IBM will not discriminate in hiring, promotion, compensation of employees and employment practices on grounds of race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability or veteran status. IBM will create a work environment free of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or veteran status. . Respect and dignity IBM will treat all employees with respect and dignity and will not use corporal punishment, threats of violence or other forms of physical coercion or harassment. 8. Freedom of association IBM will respect the legal rights of its employees to join or to refrain from joining worker organizations, including labor organizations or trade unions. IBM complies with legal requirements worldwide regarding employee and third-party involvement. IBM respects the rights of employees to organize, and makes managers at all levels aware of those rights. The companyââ¬â¢s long-standing belief is that the interests of IBM and its employees are best served through a favorable, collaborative work environment with direct communication between employees and management. IBM endeavors to establish such favorable employment conditions, to promote positive relationships between employees and managers, to facilitate employee communications, and to support employee development. 9. Health and safety IBM will provide its employees with a safe and healthy workplace in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Consistent with these obligations, IBM will have and will implement effective programs that encompass things such as life safety, incident investigation, chemical safety, ergonomics, and will provide safe standards of health and safety in any housing and transportation provided for our employees by the company. 10. Protection of the environment IBM is committed to worldwide leadership in environmental protection.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Bt Corn
Research Question ââ¬Å"Evaluation of the commercialization of Bt-Corn breeds: how it is both economically efficient and overall beneficial for the environment. â⬠Abstract This paper discusses and evaluates both the negative and positive aspects and raised controversial issues regarding Bt-Corn, a transgenic maize developed through genetic engineering and biotechnology methods, and will finally conclude that the commercialization of Bt-Corn breeds for the past 14 years have been both economically advantageous and beneficial for the environment.The purpose of this paper is to further educate and inform the general audience regarding issues relating with genetically modified organisms and will try to disprove negative speculation and ambiguity with statistical data and experimental evidence. Introduction Recent development and advances in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering has enabled scientists today to improve crop varieties through alteration of their most fun damental building blocks, their DNA.These alterations of the genetic material allow scientists and researchers to develop ââ¬Ënew speciesââ¬â¢ and breeds of organisms which posses certain altered favored traits, which would not otherwise naturally exist in the organism. (Peairs, 2007) However, there is much ambiguity and controversies surrounding the whole field of genetic engineering of organisms and their commercialization.Bt-corn, a breed of transgenic maize whose genetic material has been altered to include the ability to produce a certain toxin that has specific insecticidal property against pests, has been commercialized now for several years in the US and also in several other countries such as Canada, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Honduras, South Africa and the Philippines. (Wu, 2006) The prefix ââ¬ËBtââ¬â¢ from Bt-Corn originates from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a species of soil bacterium that produces the insecticidal crystal protein or delta endotoxins, toxins that kill crop pests.Genetic engineering has allowed scientists to take the single gene that controls the production of the delta endotoxins from Bt, create a modified version of it and synthesize it with the DNA of selected corn species using recombinant DNA technology. This new set of ââ¬Ëgenetic codeââ¬â¢ allows the plant to produce the delta endotoxins by itself; hence it is able to repel crop pests by itself. This newly acquired attribute is like a miracle for farmers, not just corn farmers since the insecticidal attribute of ââ¬ËBtââ¬â¢ has also been implemented in several other crops such as Bt-potatoes and Bt-sweet corn.However, there have been several issues raised against the commercialization of Bt-corn in recent years due to investigations, which reveals how Bt-corn pollen proves to be lethal to other species of organisms that are not considered as pests. (Peairs, 2007) This paper will discuss, evaluate and finally demonstrate how the commercialization of Bt- Corn breeds is overall both economically efficient and beneficial for the environment through the following points: * Origins of Bt and Bt-Corn * Mode of action of Bt toxins Economical and environmental advantages of Bt-Corn * FDA regulations on genetically modified organisms * Controversies and issues raised * Evaluation Origins of Bt and Bt-Corn As previously stated above, Bt-Corn is a breed of transgenic maize whose genetic material have been altered and combined with the insecticidal crystal protein-producing trait of the common naturally occurring soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. Shigetane Ishiwata, a Japanese biologist, was the first to discover Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in 1901.However, it was not until Ernst Berliner rediscovered it in 1911 in Thuringia, Germany, that the bacterium was named Bacillus thuringiensis. In 1938 a French company started commercially producing the combination of the bacterium and its toxin crystals as a pesticide, calling it Sporeine, and in the 1950ââ¬â¢s American organic farmers started using Bt on their crops as a way to control pest. (Aroian) As research methods improved (1960ââ¬â¢s) and new Bt species were found producing thousands of other specific toxic proteins, more and more farmers started to use Bt.However, it was not until advancements in genetics and genetic engineering in the 1990ââ¬â¢s that researchers were able to detect and isolate the specific genes that trigger production of the toxins and transfer it into certain species of crops, such as Bt-Corn. The first Bt crop that was registered with the USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), which allowed for its commercialization, is the Bt-Corn. (Aroian) In 2004, Bt-Corn comprises more than ? of the total acres of cornfields in the United States itself. Wu, 2006) According to Clive James, the chair of the ISAAA (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications), today (2002) the total Bt-Corn fields in the wo rld approximates to 25 million acres. (James, 2002) Mode of actions of Bt toxins Bacillus thuringiensis produces certain proteins, categorized as crystal proteins, which are very specific, well known for its ability to target and inhibit specific metabolic processes of certain species of organisms, mainly insects.Investigations have revealed that most of these insecticidal crystal proteins, when activated (when they come into contact with their specific host), attaches itself to the epithelium cells of the gut of the insects and causes the generation of pores in the cell membranes. These pores in the membranes of the epithelium cells, outermost cells that line the surfaces of structures, such as the gut, of organisms, disrupts the osmotic balance of the cells, causing them to swell and lyse. (Hofte, 1989)In simpler terms, basically these proteins (toxins) cause imbalance of water absorption (osmotic imbalance) in the cells of the ââ¬Ëorgansââ¬â¢ of specific insects, which caus es these cells to swell and break (lyse). They are also very specific and selective on the species of insects they are able to affect, making Bt toxins potent in eradicating pests while being relatively harmless towards other organisms. There is substantial evidence that the toxins (insecticidal crystal proteins) are not harmful to human health nor are they detrimental for the health of vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bony fish and sharks).According to Peairs, these toxins are considered to be very selective and very safe for humans and non-targeted organisms when compared to the most conventional and common pesticides used nowadays since they only attack certain groups of insects. (Peairs, 2007) Economical and environmental advantages of Bt-Corn It has been several years now, more than a decade, since the commercialization of Bt-Corn breeds and now more than ever, we are able to see statistical data and actual evidence that overall, using Bt-Corn is both economic ally efficient and beneficial for the environment.Economic advantages of Bt-Corn According to a study by Brookes, there have been substantial net economic benefits at the farms, totaling up to $5 billion in 2005 and $27 billion during the first decade (1996-2005) of the commercialization of genetically engineered crops. For the genetically engineered maize species, including Bt-Corn and other forms of genetically modified corn, boosted farm incomes by over $3. 1 billion since 1996. In the United States alone genetically modified maize crop income benefits accumulates to a little under $2. 3 billion, which is about 88% of the world GM maize crop income. (Brookes, 2006) The main reason for its economic advantage is its ability to produce higher yields of the same, or even better, quality of produce compared to ââ¬Ëorganicââ¬â¢ corn because two reasons. The first reason is that since pests are not lured to the crop, they unhindered and are able to flourish and produce more yields . The second reason is that the ability to self-produce insecticidal toxins allows farmers to cut down costs to maintain the crop since they do not have to purchase massive amounts of pesticide.This also means that less time will be spent on crop walking and the application of pesticides and herbicides, less usage of energy associated with less spraying, savings in costs of machinery and machinery usage (from less spraying and reduced harvest times) and also the unseen benefits in the health and safety of farm workers that is caused by handling pesticides. (Brookes, 2006) Environmental advantages of Bt-Corn The usage of Bt-Corn allows farmers to stop the usage of environmentally hazardous chemicals, may it be pesticides or herbicides.Overall between the years 1996 and 2005, GM crops have caused the net reduction in the environmental impact on the cropping area by 15. 3% while the total volume of active ingredient usage has also been reduced by 7%. Specifically in the GM maize sector there have been a net reduction in the environmental impact on the cropping area by 4. 6% through the reduction of pesticide usage and another net decrease in 4% in the environmental impact through the usage of more environmentally benign herbicides. Brookes, 2006) There has also been a decrease in greenhouse gasses emission; excess greenhouse gasses emission is a factor contributing to global warming. Brookes states in his article, that the two main reasons for the decrease in green house gasses emission is due to two factors. The first being reduced fuel usage from the less frequent need of using pesticides and herbicides applications (machinery used for spraying). From 1996 to 2005, it is estimated that there has been a reduction in carbon dioxide emission of 4,613 million kg, calculated from the reduced fuel usage of 1,679 liters.In comparison, the permanent carbon dioxide savings from reduced fuel usage from 1996 to 2005 by planting GM crops is equivalent to the removal of 2. 05 million cars from the road for one year, assuming that a car does an average of 15,000 km per year, producing 2,250 kg of CO2 per year based on the fact that an average family car produces 150 grams of CO2 every km. (Brookes, 2006) FDA regulations on genetically modified organisms With the development in genetic engineering and biotechnology there is urgency and a need to both control and oversee products and methods used, especially relating with food products.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are the three main supervisors of genetically modified foods. The FDA, the official government agency in charge of regulating food, drug and cosmetic laws and ensuring safety of food (other than meat), food additives, medicines, medical devices, veterinary drugs, cosmetics and genetically modified food products, plays the major role in the actual ââ¬Ëscreeningââ¬â¢ of products that are available for the public.The FDA categorizes genetically modified food products under the ââ¬ËGRASââ¬â¢ list; the GRAS list comprise of products that are ââ¬Ëgenerally recognized as safeââ¬â¢, which demands the manufacturers to be responsible for the safety of their own products, allowing them to place products into the market without pre-approval of the FDA because whole foods are GRAS. Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed or unrefined such as unprocessed meat, poultry and fish, fruits and vegetables, and non-homogenized milk (basically unprocessed milk; straight from the animal).The manufacturer bears responsibility for ensuring the product is not adulterated or misbranded. However if there is proof that the product is adulterated, or detrimental to human health (animal health for animal products), then the products may be taken back from the market and the manufacturer may be prosecuted. (Gertsberg, 2009) Controversies and issues raised The development and conti nuation of research in the whole issue regarding genetic engineering of any organisms itself raises much issues.However, most of the issues raised within the field of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are issues regarding perspective and ethics, since there is much fear and ambiguity that most people feel when they think and speak about this issue. Controversies with genetic engineering There are not enough, if there are any, substantial, academic, plain physical experimental proof that genetically modified organisms are hazardous to both the health of humans and the environment.The main issues raised regarding GMOs are that there is a risk there new allergens will arise from the ââ¬Ëunknownââ¬â¢ effects of combining different DNA sequences with each other, increased toxicity levels in organisms do to a faster metabolism, the possibility of unwanted/unintended gene transfer between different species, loss of biodiversity and basically unknown possible effects on different organisms related. (Turner, 2007) There are also several other ethical issues raised, such as the monopoly of world food production by several ompanies, problems with intellectual property and non-mandatory labeling, which is the case in the United States. Non-mandatory labeling violates the rights of consumers to choose between ââ¬Ëorganic foodsââ¬â¢ and genetically engineered foods. Monarch butterfly issue and Bt-Corn Several years ago, an issue was raised regarding how non-pest (non-targeted) species of organisms, the Monarch butterfly species in this case, were affected by the delta endotoxins contained in the pollen of a certain species of Bt-Corn. The issue revolves around how Monarch butterflies population was in danger of being killed through the poisoning by the Bt toxins.Monarch butterflies would migrate and lay their eggs on areas near the Bt-Corn fields. Their larvae feed on milkweed plants, a species of plants that grow in same regions as the Bt-Corn. However, Bt- Corn pollen would scatter throughout the area and lay on these leaves. Several investigations revealed some mortality in Monarch butterfly caterpillars that consume these pollen-covered milkweed leaves. (Peairs, 2007) Following the recent controversy, a number of private parties assembled and conducted workshops and investigations regarding this issue sponsored by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States.Scientists and researchers were assembled from U. S. and Canadian universities, ARS members and several other environmental organizations, in a joint effort to prove whether the issue has a scientific basis. (Hellmich, 2008) Laboratory experiments done with pure Crystal toxins (Bt toxins) mixed with artificial diets revealed that a certain type of Cry toxin, Cry1Ab, was harmful to Monarch caterpillars but other types of the Cry toxins were not toxic to them.Field studies done along with lab experiments conclude that there were not any adverse effects observed on the Monarch caterpillars who fed on milkweed leaves dusted with natural levels of the commonly found Bt-Corn pollen species. All but the single Cry toxin proved to be safe. The results of this experiment caused for the termination of the production of Bt-Corn species 176, which expressed high amounts of Cry1Ab toxins. (Hellmich, 2008) Several other studies were conducted to compare between the mortality of Monarch caterpillars in agricultural and non-agricultural habitats, where there arenââ¬â¢t any Bt-Corn species in the area.Results from this experiment show no significant differences in mortality rates of the caterpillars. (Hellmich, 2008) Another study conducted compared the mortality rates of Monarch caterpillars exposed to Bt-Corn species and ââ¬Ëorganicââ¬â¢ corn species with the commonly used pesticide, cyhalothrin. Experimentations revealed how, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦nearly all monarch larvae on milkweed plants inside the field were killed. â⬠Hence Bt-Corn is safer t han traditional commercial insecticides and pesticides. (Hellmich, 2008)The final risk assessment brought forth by Hellmich regarding the Monarch population and Bt-Corn is that the risks are negligible since exposure of the Monarch caterpillars to Bt-Corn pollen is low. Furthermore, the current commercially available Bt-Corn species and hybrids revealed low toxicity. Hellmich concludes that, ââ¬Å"The bottom line from these studies is that all commercial Bt corn hybrids have negligible effects on populations of monarch butterflies, especially when compared with traditional insecticides. â⬠(Hellmich, 2008) EvaluationIn conclusion, through research and investigations conducted by researchers across the world, we can see how the commercialization of Bt-Corn for past 14 years have significantly benefitted both society and the environment through the ability of farmers to cut down costs, usage of energy, fuel and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, increase in yields and decrease i n the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. We also see that most of the issues raised surrounding the issue of Bt-Corn and genetically engineered organisms are mostly just a matter of perspective and preferences.Lack of education and an open perspective regarding genetically modified organisms is the main hindrance towards improvements in the current agricultural field. Bibliography Aroian, R. (n. d. ). History of Bt. UCSD ââ¬â Aroian Lab. Brookes, G. (2006, October). GM crops: the first ten years ââ¬â Global socio-economic and environmental impacts. 1-106. Gertsberg, D. (2009, August 30). Introduction To The Regulation of Genetically Modified Foods by the FDA . Retrieved May 2, 2010, from GMO Journal: Food Safety Politics: http://gmo-journal. com/index. php/2009/08/30/introduction-to-regulation-of-gm-foods-by-fda/Hellmich, R. L. (2008, March 8). Monarch Butterflies and Bt Corn. 1-3. Hofte, H. (1989). Insecticidal Crystal Proteins of Bacilllus thuringi ensis. MICROBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS , 53, 242-255. James, C. (2002). Global Review of Commercialized Transgenic Crops: 2001. ISAAA Briefs (26), 1-184. Peairs, F. (2007, April). Bt Corn: Health and the Environment. Colorado State University Extension . Turner, L. (2007). Playing With Our Food. Better Nutrition , 69 (4), 30-33. Wu, F. (2006). Mycotoxin reduction in Bt corn: potential economic, health, and regulatory impacts . Transgenic Research , 277-289.
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