Envirmental

Biodiversity, Ecology, Human Population, and Food

Genetically modified food controversies are disputes over the use of foods and other goods derived from genetically modified crops instead of conventional crops, and other uses of genetic engineering in food production. The key areas of controversy related to genetically modified food (GM food or GMO food) are whether such food should be labeled, the role of government regulators, the objectivity of scientific research and publication, the effect of genetically modified crops on health and the environment, the effect on pesticide resistance, the impact of such crops for farmers, and the role of the crops in feeding the world population. In addition, products derived from GMO organisms play a role in the production of ethanol fuels and pharmaceuticals.

Specific concerns include mixing of genetically modified and non-genetically modified products in the food supply, effects of GMOs on the environment, the rigor of the regulatory process, and consolidation of control of the food supply in companies that make and sell GMOs. Advocacy groups such as the Center for Food Safety, Organic Consumers Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Greenpeace, say risks have not been adequately identified and managed, and they have questioned the objectivity of regulatory authorities.

The safety assessment of genetically engineered food products by regulatory bodies starts with an evaluation of whether or not the food is substantially equivalent to non-genetically engineered counterparts that are already deemed fit for human consumption. No reports of ill effects have been documented in the human population from genetically modified food. There is a scientific consensus that currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than conventional food, but that each GM food needs to be tested on a case-by-case basis before introduction. Nonetheless, members of the public are much less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe. The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.

Please review the following readings for more information:

Rich, A. K., & Warhol, T. (2016). Genetically Modified Foods: An Overview. Points Of View: Genetically Modified Foods, 1. Link to article.

Bowman, J., & Griswold, M. (2016). Point: Genetically Modified Foods will Dramatically Improve Agriculture Around the World. Points Of View: Genetically Modified Foods, 2. Link to article.

Pearson, J. (2016). Point: The Many Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods. Points Of View: Genetically Modified Foods, 5. Link to article.

Driscoll, S., & Morley, D. C. (2016). Counterpoint: Genetically Modified Foods Should be Carefully Regulated. Points Of View: Genetically Modified Foods, 3. Link to article.

Anderson, T. (2016). Counterpoint: GMO Foods are Unsafe. Points Of View: Genetically Modified Foods, 6. Link to article.

Biodiversity, Ecology, Human Population, and Food

This week we focus on two important topics: population and food. As the populations of developed and developing countries continue to grow exponentially; the production of the food necessary to feed these growing populations significantly impacts the environment.

Even though birth and death rates have fallen worldwide, the Earth's population is increasing. However, the population of the United States is still growing faster than any other developed country. Visit the website, Population Coalition, to view a population clock as well as a productive land clock. Notice how as the numbers for population go up, the amount of productive land goes down.

Worldwide, we find birth rates are affected by the role of children in the workforce, urbanization costs of raising children, infant mortality rates, average age of marriage, and opportunities for women. Life expectancy and infant mortality are useful indicators of the overall health of people. The age structure of a population affects its growth. A country with many in the pre-reproducing years have a built in momentum to increase in population size.  Age structure diagrams can be used to predict effects of increases and decreases in a population. The U.S. Census Bureau website, Population Period Summary allows you to obtain age structure diagrams for any country.  Worldwide, the percentage of people age 60 and over is expected to increase. The following animation shows the increase in population as the baby boomer generation ages.

A Demographic Transition is a "hypothesis that as countries become industrialize, first their death rates and then their birth rates decline (Miller, p. 85)." In this animation, a Demographic Transition Model shows the changes in the population at each stage of industrialization. Explore what happens at each stage.

Programs to slow population growth in India, China, and Thailand have been undertaken with mixed results. India's program has been disappointing. Despite educational programs about birth control, the need for child labor, and a strong preference for male children, couples are encouraged to keep having more children. China has achieved some success with the most extensive, intrusive, and strict population control program. Couples postpone marriage and have no more than one child. If couples have more than one child, they are penalized economically. Thailand has had an impressive decline as a result of government supported family planning program, a high female literacy rate, an increasing economic role for women, and better health care. 

The proportion of the world's population living in urban areas is increasing. People are moving from rural to urban areas by poverty, lack of land, job searching, food, housing, and a better life.  Urbanization is increasing most rapidly in developing countries. About 75% of the United States population lives in urban areas. Transportation systems influence urban development patterns.  Plentiful land, a network of highways, and America's love affair with cars and cheap gasoline, has encouraged urban sprawl. Transportation alternatives such as the use of bicycles, mass transit rail systems, and buses need to be explored. Cities are not self-sustaining and large areas must be disturbed and degraded to supply them with food, water, energy, and other resources. Cities have high pollution levels, generate large quantities of waste, and are centers for poverty and crime. 

Environmentalists and urban planners call for us to make new and existing cities more sustainable. Cities need to become more people oriented, and place an emphasis on preventing pollution, reducing waste, recycling, reusing resources, and using renewable energy resources. Cities such as Curitiba Brazil, Davis California, and Portland Oregon, serve as successful examples of urban planning and environmental protection. Read Sustainable Cities Principles for Portland Oregon's official policy on dealing with pollution.