Genetically Modified Foods

There are many genetically modified foods in the local grocery stores with the debut appearance in 1994 by Flaur Saur. Genetically modified foods are foods in which the DNA has been altered by some form of genetic enigneering. Plants such as soybean, corn, canola, cotton, and seed oil were the first foods to be gentically modified and was followed by tomatoes and potatoes.

While genetically modified foods do help in ensuring that stravation is kept minimal, they also have their drawbacks. Through genetic altering, theses foods have been changed such that the crops have pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, cold tolerance and/or drought (sailiant) tolerance ensuring a bigger crop for the growing population. According to scientists, these foods may have an adverse effect on the environment, disrupt the food chain and cause serious damage to human health.

The ability of these foods to cause so much damage has had a positive impact of some countries. For instance, Venezuela, in 2004, banned genetically modified plants and seeds and in 2005, the Hungarian government stopped the import and planting of genetically modified foods.

Tomatoes and sweet corn are not the only items in the grocery stores that have been modified. Other everyday items include Frito-lay Fritos corn chips, Kellog's Corn Flakes, Ball Park Franks, Ultra Slim, Quakers Yellow Corn Meal, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix and Dry pet food. In a report published in September 1999, sad but true, baby items such as Enfamil ProSolee Soy Formula, Heniz Z Baby Food, Similac Isomil Soy Formula and Nestle Carnation Infant Formula was found to have unlabeled genetically modified ingredients. Although, these ingredients were found to be safe, the question is still asked, where isn't there genetically modified foods?

The only way to ensure that you do not purchase genetically modified food is to purchase certified organic food. You can also go online and gain a list of food with genetically modified ingredients in them.

Endanger Species

They are four turtle, one bird , and a lizard that is one the endanger species list, that live the island of Jamaica. They are the Green turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Leatherback turtle, loggerhead turtle, Jamaican rock iguana and theJamaican Pauraque. (WWF or World Wildlife Fund) an independent conservation organizations. The Green turtle so called because of the greenish color of their cartilage and the fat deposits around their internal organs, green turtles are black-brown or greenish yellow in color. They grow up to 1.5 meters long and can reach 200 kg, but individuals from different populations vary widely in size. The Hawksbill turtle has a thin shell, flexible and highly colored with elaborate patterns. The carapace of the hawksbill is unusual amongst the marine turtles as the scutes (the hard, bony plates that constitute the shell) are overlapping. These are often streaked and marbled with amber, yellow or brown, most evident when the shell material is worked and polished. This species is the sole source of commercial "tortoise shell". As the English name suggests, the hawksbill has a narrow pointed beak reminiscent of a bird of prey. The Leatherback turtle is the largest marine turtle and one of the largest living reptiles. Leatherbacks are one of the most migratory of all marine turtle species, making both trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific crossings. They are easily distinguished by their carapace, which is leathery, not hard as in other turtles, and by their long front flippers. The Loggerhead turtle has a rusty colored carapace. It is one of the largest cheloniid turtles, and carries more encrusting organisms such as barnacles on its carapace than the other marine turtle’s species. This species is distinguished mainly by its large head and strong jaws. The Jamaican rock iguana is a large heavy-bodied lizard primarily green to salty blue in color with darker olive-green coloration on the shoulders. Three dark broad chevrons extend from the base of the neck to the tail on the animal's back, with dark olive-brown zigzag spots. The dorsal crest scales are somewhat brighter bluish-green than the body. The body surfaces are blotched with a yellowish blotched color breaking up into small groups of spots. And the Jamaican Pauraque is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to Jamaica. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrub land. These species are hunted for their meat and egg or in the case of the Jamaican iguana and Jamaican Pauraque was hunt by a Mongoose, an animal that was brought in to Jamaica in 1847 to kill snake. With is significantly reducing the population and place them from threaten to endanger. The reason these species now watch by environmentalist is because they play an important role in the ecosystem. Information found at www.panda.org

The Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a complex Earth system where carbon dioxide (CO2) is exchanged among four main regions of the planet. In the carbon cycle, CO2 is recycled through the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and oceans and other waterways in what are called "sinks" or reservoirs
but there are many human influncence that is disrupting the carbon cycle such as deforestation, reforestation, increasing or decreasing human or animal populations. other manmade influncence is the burning of fossil fuel, that lead to the raise in greenhouse gas effect. it has taken decades for the release of greenhouse gas to get the , the carbon cycle out of balance. So it will take decades for man to reverse the effect of global warming. there are some way that we as a nation can start making a chance. Using alternative fuels and particularly those created with renewable energy such as solar, wind and water sources will help the carbon cycle and reverse the greenhouse effect.

Environmental Organization

As a project in my Evironmental Biology course, we had to analyze the mission statements of Greenpeace, National Resource Defense Council, and Wild Spot Foundation and decide which of the three orgainizations we would join. While all three are excellent organizations, I chose the Wild Spot Foundation. This organization grabbed my attention becasue it is located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. less than five minutes from where I live. This nearby location gives me the opportunity to be involved in the ay to day activities of the organization. Secondly, the Wild Spot Foundation has workshops that educates and informs tha community of ways that we can better the planet. It help us to understand how we may be harming the animals and how to stop. It also has expeditions to places like New Zealand and China in order to assist in education of our natural beausties as well as to free animals that are being treated cruely. Lastly, the Wild Spot Foundation grabbed my attention because becoming a member is not a long and drawn out task; all that is needed is your name and address. So regardless of your status, as long as you want to protect and promote biodiversity in our planet, you can.