environment – GMO SAFETY

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MIT Scientists Create GMO Biofuel

Editorial Posted On February 17, 2022

A team of researchers from MIT have managed to find a solution for the production of genetically modified biofuel which can be mass distributed in the future, lowering the cost of the biofuel available in the market today. The process of deriving biofuels from plants and bio waste can be lengthy and the fermentation is often tainted by unwanted microbes if not done in completely sterile and secure environment. What makes this discovery so astonishing is the fact that they have managed to grow modified microorganisms and generate biofuel from them quickly and efficiently. Therefore, this method of production vastly lowers the environmental issues involved in the current production of biofuel.

The MIT research team is supported by Novogy, which is a startup company that will take over the patent once the formula is perfected and the product passes the final tests. The scientists managed to create genetically modified microbes that use phosphorus and nitrogen, both essential for the production of biofuel. They are the foundation of this sort of fuel and are crucial for the final product porno.

Biofuel and the benefits

The typical way of creating biofuel includes fermentation and a lot of outside factors that take a lot of time. Therefore, biofuel is very expensive and the majority of population cannot afford it right now. However, this new method of generating biofuel by using genetically modified microorganisms will lower both the price of production and the final product.

The team of researchers at MIT created special strains of microorganisms that are capable of using nitrogen and phosphorous from various sources, such as genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria that uses melamine in order to produce high levels of nitrogen within itself. They also created Yarrowia lipolytica, a strain of yeast capable of using potassium phosphate to generate phosphorus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has the ability to get nitrogen by breaking down cyanimide into urea. All of these microorganisms are found in nature but their abilities to absorb the chemicals from other sources cannot even come close to these strains created at MIT’s laboratories.

Biofuel is important because it does not emit greenhouse gasses like fossil fuel. Using it regularly would make a huge difference in saving the environment and reducing the pollution. Biofuel is derived from plants and agricultural waste and that process can get a bit costly for the manufacturers. The results are not always satisfactory due to the possible microbes that might invade the process of fermentation. By genetically modifying the strains, scientists are making them more resistant to the microbes and therefore securing the positive outcome.

Novology who is behind this project hopes to make a difference in fuel production and once they test out the process and the efficiency of the genetically modifies biofuel, they plan to license the patent and pass it out to bigger fuel companies who have the ability to mass produce this fuel. It would revolutionize the production and the availability of biofuels to the public, as well as prove the critics how useful genetic engineering can be for improving our daily lives.

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Research

The Astonishing Results of Bt Eggplants Research

Editorial Posted On February 7, 2022

Scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños joined their forces with a research team working at the Cornell University in order to investigate the effects of Bt eggplants on the surrounding species that are not the primary target of this insecticide. The research itself lasted for three planting seasons and it monitored the surrounding biosphere of both Bt eggplants and non-Bt eggplants. The results proved that species which are not targeted by Bt were not affected in any way.

The study was published a couple of weeks ago and it confirmed the previous findings. Similar researches were done with cotton and corn, and they also indicated that there was no interaction with the non-targeted species. However, these studies did not cover the entire three seasons. The results from Philippines explored the long term influence of this insecticide on the surrounding nature. Bt has been around since 1990s but for some reason it wasn’t a common subject in scientific studies of video porno.

What is Bt?

Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a microorganism commonly used for protecting crops from various pests and insects. It can be introduced either to soil or to a crop itself. It was the first human-made insecticide that was approved for general use in the United States. Bt became very popular among farmers all around the world in the last two decades.

The positive effects of this finding

Dr. Anthony Shelton, a professor working at the Cornell University confirmed that these results will ensure both farmers and consumers that Bt eggplants are safe for environment, as well as for the customers. As a matter of fact, Bt eggplant will be very beneficial for the people living in Philippines because these plants are typically sprayed with toxic insecticides during the growing season. However, Bt eggplants do not require the same chemicals and they still remained resistant to the targeted pests.

Shoot borer pest is the most common troublemaker for farmers on Philippines and they use a variety of highly toxic insecticides in order to keep it away from their crops. Bt eggplant will completely change the way eggplants are cultivated in Philippines because there will be no need to spend additional funds for a wide range of pesticides. Integrated pest management is the future of agriculture because it will keep the surrounding ecosystem intact.

It is well known that pesticides can destroy the organisms that are essential for keeping the natural environment intact. These life forms help with the pollination of the crops, as well as with decomposition of different matters that keep the soil healthy and fertile. By removing these dangerous chemicals from the equation, you will get increased harvest productivity, as well as healthier crops.

Therefore, once they apply this technology to their fields, farmers will decrease the cost of the production which will lead to numerous consumer benefits. After all, they will be able to buy safer and healthier eggplants that cost less. The reduction of the standard pesticides will make the produce less hazardous for human health. It is really a win-win situation for both sides.

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Analysis

The Economics of Genetically Modified Crops

Editorial Posted On June 14, 2016

The potential of genetically engineered crops is manifold. This occurs even in the midst of the dwindling effects it has on the resource base thus promising a significant increase in productivity hence promoting sustainability regarding food supply as well as the provision of raw materials for the rapidly growing population. Genetically modified crops give rise to environmental benefits that play a central role in alleviating poverty through income generation especially in developing countries. It is through genetically modified foods that there is a nutritional enhancement in the plants hence offering a new platform through which human health is enhanced.

In spite of the contributions that are realized through the introduction of GM crops, its development has aroused lots of opposition. This is particularly high in Europe, and the effect has spilled over to other parts of the globe. This is through such aspects as trade regulations, media coverage as well as the establishment of outreach groups that intend to lobby anti-biotechnology usage. The key driving forces for these issues is the concern over the environment, health risks as well as social implication effects. For example, there is fear that consumption of GM crops and foods derived from them having the potential to undermine traditional knowledge systems, especially in developing countries.

Regarding economics, the increase in privatization of crop improvement research has aroused possible monopolization of the seed market and thus causing adverse exploitation of the farmers in the region. This is because GM crops are associated with novel possibilities that have triggered research dealing with aspects of the economy and policy making. Through this article, there is a clear outline of the economic factors that relate to GM crops.

Status of GM crops

Commercialization of GM crops
The commercial application of the GM crops goes way back to the mid-1990s and has then spread across the globe. According to reports released in 2008, GM crops were grown in over 25 countries in over 120 ha of land. However, the US registered the highest share of GM crops accounting for 50 % of total ha across the globe. Despite the fact that there is a significant increase in approval of GM technologies in some countries in Europe, the commercialization of the GM crops is still negligible. This is because of a low level of public acceptance as well as other regulatory framework factors that are not favorable.
Today, there is a limited number of technologies that are commercialized including herbicide tolerance in soybeans among others. GM maize also has been introduced to confer herbicide tolerance as well as resistance against insects. The resistance against insects is based on a wide range of genes that spring from Bacillus thuringiensis bacterium. It is these Bt genes that play a central role in the control of corn rootworm, corn borers as well as other stem borers.

Micro-level impact of the first generation GM plants
Many of the studies that focus on the micro-level impact of GM plants are currently based on random sample surveys as well as a comparison of adopter performances with non-adopter GM crops. However, this kind of comparison is characterized by selectivity bias. Additionally, its adoption may give rise to an overestimation of technological impacts and underestimation of farmers’ impact under certain conditions. Bacillus thuringiensis technology is a promising platform for control of pests in the environment. Some of the approaches that are geared towards addressing selectivity bias using econometric means include;

Empirical evidence: Bt GMO plants do not entirely get rid of the need for sprays against insects. This is because there still crop damage that occurs. The reason for this is based on the fact that Bt toxins have a high specificity for certain species of pests while insect pests are not affected at all. There is evidence that insecticide-reducing effect, as well as yield increasing the effect, is observed on the international front with high scores reported in Argentina and India.
Conventional cotton farmers often use very low levels of insecticides and thus effectiveness in controlling pests is small. However, the use of pesticides in India is higher. This suggests that there is a yield effect of the Bt technology is influenced by the quantity and quality of insecticides used hence control of damage on cotton. Additionally, the resistance to insecticides, as well as the timing of spraying the GM crops, is also to be considered xxx.

Econometric estimates: using different models, this confirms the net effect on insecticide reduction and increasing effect on yield in using the Bt technology. This is evident through the demonstration that part of the impact variation that was seen in some countries like India was because of integration of the Bt gene in a few cotton varieties that did not suit the location. This is because the positive impact of this gene was undermined by the adverse effect of the germ-plasm.
This indicates that the full benefits of GM plants can be realized through the insertion of the target gene in a wide range of varieties that are locally adaptable. This is the approach that is used in reducing the occurrence of selectivity issues as well as problems associated with endogeneity.

Gross margin effect: farmers that have been shown to adopt Bt technologies have benefited from the economic advantage that is related to female entrepreneurs saving insecticides as well as high yields. This means that on average the gross margin gains are estimated to be very high in the case of such crops as GM Bt maize and GM Bt cotton. Additionally, the cost of seeds is much lower in developing countries as opposed to other regions of the world. This is attributed to the weak aspects that relate to intellectual property rights, seed production, subsidies as well as other price interventions that are set by the government. Additionally, other factors such as agricultural policies play a role in determining the gross margin effects.

Conclusion
Aspects that relate to economics play a pivotal role in determining novel ways through which social benefits can be maximized. This means that more effort is to be directed towards quantification of possible indirect effects of GM plants and the outcome it has on health and the surrounding environment. This is through a significant contribution made by economists in designing efficient regulations and innovative systems. This could finally lead to advanced levels of income generated from the sale of GM crops.

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Analysis / Research

GMO and the Impact on the Economy

Editorial Posted On May 23, 2016

Have you ever wondered about the general effect eliminating GMO foods in the US would have on the economy and the quality of life in that country? A group of scientists and professors had an idea to take a closer look at the consequences that would arise if all GMO seeds and products were eliminated from the States and reached a startling discovery.

Their results were presented to the fellow scientists at International Consortium on Applied Bioeconomy Research in Italy and have reached the rest of the public a couple of weeks ago. Their goal wasn’t to convince anyone that GMO is either good or bad – they simply took a closer look at the aftermath we might be facing and the effect it would have on the country’s economy.

The researchers conducted a thorough examination of the numbers of GMO crops that were planted and produced in 2014. After double checking their numbers and making sure their data is accurate, they ran it through a calculator that is designed to deliver the results of hypothetical changes in agricultural production and the overall impact on the quality of life among US citizens.

The results should raise a concern because in case of eliminating all GMO crops, the general rate of food production would be majorly decreased. The amount of corn that is produced on a yearly basis would decline for 11%, meaning that in order to get the production to the previous level, more than 100,000 hectares of forest should be turned into pastures and corn fields. That would without a doubt have a huge impact on the environment and the surrounding nature.

Besides the changes in the ecosystem of a given area, the gasses emitted in the process of organic production would damage the entire landscape. The greenhouse gas is a dangerous thing and people who are against cultivating and using GMO crops are usually against the greenhouse effect as well. However, you simply cannot have it both ways. Thanks to GMO crops, the emission of the greenhouse gas is much lower than it was a couple of decades ago or so.

If we completely eliminate GMO foods from production, the prices of food in general would skyrocket. The price of corn alone would go up for 28 percent, which is indeed pretty high. That would influence the prices of other products as well, making food more expensive. The cost of living would most certainly change in the United States that is for sure.

The same team of researchers will be continuing their examination of the same subject but in other areas of the world. The Purdue University will fund this project and they will closely inspect the economy of European Union and the possible changes in the identical conditions. GMO crops are not that widespread in Europe as they are in the United States, but we are sure that the results will be surprising.

After Europe, they will move to the Asian countries where GMO crops are more common. We are very excited to see their findings in the future since any research that involves exploration of the subject of GMO crops is thrilling to all of us interested in that field of study. There are so many trials and tests that are underway right now but they usually focus on the short term and long term effects GMO foods have on living organisms. This is the first study that is dealing with the impact on the economy and the quality of life. We are sure that the international research would give us plenty of interesting results that will make us rethink our perspectives.

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