Science Technology Sustainability

8/10/2019 Science Technology Sustainability

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Science, Technology and

Sustainability

Integrated pest management,

organic food, sustainableagriculture, genetically modified

food


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In tegrated Pest

Management Management of pests w/ combination of

natural and biological controls rather

than indiscriminate application ofpesticides

Developed in 1959 by University ofCalifornia entymologists

Incorporates some pre-pesticide ideasabout how to control pest problems


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Steps of IPM

1. Prevention Take steps to discourage pest build-up

2. Identify pests3. Set action thresholds

Set a level of loss that is acceptable

Past that threshold, action is warranted

4. Control, in this order: Mechanical control

Biological control

Chemical control


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IPM Techniques

Crop RotationChange crops each year to discourage pestbuildup. Disrupts life cycles of insects

Biological controlUse living organisms to reduce pestproblems, i.e. release natural predators

Increase natural resistance

Breed plants that are resistant to variouspests

Genetic EngineeringModify genes in an organism using

recombinant DNA technology


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Complications of IPM

IPM philosophy:

Pests should be managed, not completely

eradicated

Pesticides should be used only as a last resort, if

at all

BUT, managing pests is more complex than killing

them

IPM relies heavily on farming skills

Farmers must be in fields almost continually

monitoring conditions


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Complications of IPM

IPM must be custom-developed foreach farm depending on crop, local

insects, climate Farmers can work with local universities

to develop individual programs

IPM appeals to younger, better-educated farmers

15-25% of farmers are practicing IPM


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IPM: Key elements for

Success1. Responsiveness to farmers needs

A. community organization as a base for

implementation and sharing of knowledge

B. partnering among institutions with two-way flow

of information (university researchers,

government agencies, local farmers groups)

2. Absence of subsidies and incentives for non-

sustainable agricultural practices

3. Policies that support sustainable practices


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Organ ic farm ing

Based on use of Naturally-derived, not synthetic, pesticide and

fertilizers

Farming practices that restore, maintain, andenhance ecological harmony

Methods used crop rotation, mechanical cultivation,

biological pest controls

Difference from IPM no genetically-modified organisms, no

synthetic chemicals


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USDA National Organic

Program Not allowed:

antibiotics (for prevention) or growthhormones

genetically-modified organisms irradiation, synthetic pesticides

petroleum-based or sewage sludge-basedfertilizers

animal feed that contains manure, parts ofslaughtered animals, plastic pellets, or urea

Animals must have outdoor access andfreedom of movement

Farming should minimize erosion and runoff


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Biopesticides

Microbial Pesticides

Contain a micro-organism as an active agent

The compound is a specific strain of bacteria:Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Non-toxic to animals, including humans

Various strains of Bt bacteria make proteins toxic

to specific classes of insectsBiochemical Pesticides

Include naturally occurring substances thatcontrol pests by interfering with growth cycle


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Certification Process

Certification agencies are registered withgovt

Fields must be organic for 3 years(transition)before they can be labeled andsold as such

Annual inspections

Must document all soil inputs in fields

Farmers must develop soil fertility and pestcontrol plans

Buffer zonebetween them and conventional

farms


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Organic Definitions

100% Organiclabel only organic

ingredients

Organiclabel 95% organicingredients

Made with organic ingredientslabel

70% organic


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Why does organic food cost

more? Not a mass-market item (this is changing)

Produce is picked ripe, so shorter shelf-life

Environmentally-friendly practices are morelabor intensive

Methods used are not subsidized by

taxpayers

Therefore, consumers are paying the full

cost of growing the food


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Organic Controversies

Cost for small farmers may be prohibitive,

both in terms of time and money

Ideal diluted by large agribusinesses?

Beyond organicmovement: farmers have

opted out of organic certification

Some small farmers burdened by new

requirements - example: new antibiotic

regulations


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Shop Wisely: Organics

Consider buying organic:

The Dirty Dozen

Dairy products or rBGH-free

Things you eat daily

On the other hand:

Dont fall for organic junk food, organicwild

fish

Eat more locally produced whole foods(farmers markets, CSAs), less processedfood


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EWGs Dirty Dozen& Clean 15

Environmental Working Group lists

Updated periodically, latest version

http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php Description of the criteria used to develop

these rankings and the complete list of fruitsand vegetables tested www.foodnews.org

Smart phone apps available
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.phphttp://www.foodnews.org/http://www.foodnews.org/sneak/EWG-shoppers-guide.pdfhttp://www.foodnews.org/http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php


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The Dirty Dozen Plus (Buy

Organic)1. Apples

2. Strawberries

3. Grapes4. Celery

5. Peaches

6. Spinach

7. Sweet bell peppers

8. Nectarines - imported

9. Cucumbers

10. Cherry Tomatoes11. Snap Peas - imported

12. Potatoes

13. Hot Peppers +

14. Kale/Collard greens +


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Sustainab le Agricu l ture

Integrates 3 main goals:

Environmental health

Economic profitability

Social and economic equity


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Sustainable Agriculture-

Themes We must meet needs of present without

compromising the ability of future generationsto meet their needs

Stewardship of both natural and humanresources is of prime importance

Stewardship of human resources includes:

working and living conditions of laborers the needs of rural communities

consumer health and safety in present and future


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Themes A systems perspective: system is envisioned

in its broadest sense, from the individualfarm, to the local ecosystem, and tocommunities affected by this farming systemboth locally and globally

A systems approach gives tools to exploreinterconnections between farming and otheraspects of our environment

A systems approach implies interdisciplinaryefforts in research and education


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Themes Transition to sustainable agriculture is a

process: for farmers, transition to sustainable

agriculture normally requires a series ofsmall, realistic steps

Reaching toward goal of sustainable

agriculture is responsibility of all participants

in system, including farmers, laborers,policymakers, researchers, retailers, and

consumers


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More Principles: Sustainability

Dealing transparently and systemically

with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility

Ensuring appropriate valuation,appreciation and restoration of

nature

Conservation of biodiversityandecological integrity


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More Principles: Sustainability

Ensuring inter-generational equity

Recognizing the global integration of

localities

A commitment to best practice

No net loss of human or natural capital

Principle of continuous improvement

The need for good governance


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Precautionary Principle of

Sustainability If there is riskthat an action could cause

harm, and lack of scientific consensus on thematter, the burden of proof is on those who

would support taking the action If competing "experts" recommend

diametrically opposing paths of actionregarding resources, carrying capacity,sustainability, and the future:

Serve cause of sustainability bychoosingconservative path

Leaves society in less precarious position ifchosen path turns out to be wrong path


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Biotechnology

Any technique that uses living organisms orparts of organisms to make or modify aproduct OR to improve an organism for a

specific use

Cross breeding/selective breeding Crossing different strains within closely

related species in attempt to re-create desired

characteristics

Genetic Engineering Manipulation on molecular or genetic level to

transfer specific genes


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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic

Acid) Genetic code of DNA: instructions specifying

amino acid sequence of all proteinssynthesized by an organism

Organismsinborn characteristics aredetermined by their DNA

The portion of DNA that codes enough

information to build one protein is called agene


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Advantages of Genetic

Engineering(When compared to cross-breeding)

Precision

Only transfer genes that code for thecharacteristics you are interested in

Speed

Can involve distantly-relatedorganisms

Tomato and fish!


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How to add a fish gene into

a tomatoScientists attempted to create a frost-resistant

tomato plant by adding an antifreeze genefrom the cold-water flounder, a fish that can

survive in very cold conditions, to the tomato:

The flounder has gene to make chemicalantifreeze. This is removed from thechromosomes within a flounder cell

The antifreeze DNA is joined onto a piece ofDNA called a plasmid. This hybrid DNA,which is a combination of DNA from 2different sources, is known as recombinantDNA


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a tomato (cont.)

The recombinant DNA, including the

antifreeze gene, is placed in a bacterium

The bacterium is allowed to reproduce manytimes producing lots of copies of the

recombinant DNA

Tomato plant cells are infected with the

bacteria. As a result, the antifreeze gene inthe plasmids, in the bacteria, becomes

integrated into the tomato plant cell DNA


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a tomato (cont.)

Tomato cells are placed in a growth medium

that encourages cells to grow into plants

Tomato plant seedlings are planted

GM tomato plants contain copy of flounder

antifreeze gene in every one of their cells;

plants are tested to see if fish gene still works

and whether they are now frost resistant


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Examples of Genetic

Engineering Medicine

Insulin

Decreased allergic response

HIV

Food Processing

Chymosin/rennet Delayed ripening, Flavr-Savrtomato


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Examples of Genetic

Engineering Agriculture

Insect resistant plants

Herbicide-tolerant plants

Nutrition Increased protein quality

Increased micro-nutrient content

Decreased fat absorption

Aquaculture GM salmon under consideration, FDA review

process has been stalled, and consumers areincreasingly against approval

Whole Foods, TJs say they wont sell it


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Who regulates

biotechnology?In U.S., regulation by 3 federal agencies:

Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluates the production process of creatinggenetically altered organisms

U.S. Department of Agriculture Evaluates whole foods and the production process

Food and Drug Administration

Evaluates whole foods, food ingredients, and foodadditives


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Concerns about Genetic

Engineering Environmental Issues

Pesticide-resistant insects

Increase in use of herbicides Transfer of characteristics to undesirable

species (outcrossing)

Decrease in biodiversity

Unintended harm to other organisms


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Concerns about Genetic

Engineering Safety issues

unnaturally occurringhormones, i.e.

rBGH

Food allergies

Unintentional change in nutrient

content

Unintended changes to DNA


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Concerns about applications of

genetic engineering Who will it benefit?

Farmers in developed nations?

Farmers in developing nations?

People in developing countries?

Biotech industry?

Ethical and Religious concerns

To label or not to label

Anti-competitiveness in the seed industry

Anti-trust issues


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Cloned Animals

In January, 2008, the FDA concluded thatfood from cloned cattle, pigs and goats andtheir offspring is safe to eat

USDA immediately cleared the offspring ofcloned animals for sale but asked owners ofclones to continue to observe a voluntarymoratorium on marketing them

USDA is working with industryrepresentatives on a plan to usher clones intothe food supply


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Cloned Animals -

Controversy Consumer groups maintain FDA's study

based on insufficient evidence; are pushingfor government programs to track and label

food derived from cloning Animal welfare organizations also object to

cloning, which often produces malformednewborns

Biodiversity issues

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