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Development History of Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified crops around the world
History of genetically modified food
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Analysis of The Botany of Desire
Michael Pollan’s book The Botany of Desire delves deep into the issues of nature’s
interaction with genetically modified potatoes, but also focuses on all of genetic engineering in
relation to natural organisms. Pollan outsets his chapter with his background of his own position,
that he is a gardener. (However, this fact does not make him a true authority over the examination
of genetic engineering.) He further develops his chapter through the cross examination of different
points in geographical space and historical periods of time where the potato has changed a people
or the people have changed the potato. Pollan mentions how the Irish, English, and Incas interacted
with and altered our perception
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Pollan analyzes the way in which the agriculture of the potato changed cultures of
the people. Underlying this is also the economic and political implication the potato had. In the
case of the Irish in 1588 (198), the potato rose as the miracle source of sustenance while boosting
their economic status and fell as monoculture practices doomed the potato in Ireland. Similarly,
Pollan provides a background of how people saw the potato and those who cultivated it. In
England in 1794 (202) the potato represented a lack of culture due to its association with coming
from the dirt and not requiring any refinement, as wheat did. Pollan's historical descriptions
substantiate his information. This information directly supplements his NewLeaf experiment and
Pollan's approach to the subject of the NewLeaf potato is presented fairly and seems to
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But Forsyth explicitly states how no farmer “'would use them if we had any choice,'.” (218) To be
fair in his chapter Pollan includes the opposite side's view, that of Steve Young. Pollan visits Steve
Young who is the model “of a man in complete control.” (220) Young has a fully automated farm
and relies heavily on the use of chemicals in his farming, even owning a share in the local
chemical distributor. Pollan maintains a fair representation of both sides in his chapter through
presenting these two sides on the NewLeaf as well as Monsanto's chemicals.
Instead of outright saying that farming chemicals are awful and should not be used, Pollan uses
Forsyth's account. In reference to the chemical Monitor, which is one of countless other pesticides
and insecticides, Forsyth puts in perspective how lethal it is: he would rather loose his entire crop
“than expose himself or an employee to this poison.” (219) However, as aforementioned, Forsyth
has no alternative. To ensure fairness here, Pollan presents Mike Heath's organic farming style not
using chemicals and relying on diversified nonmonoculture farming. Pollan also notes
Pollan used the technique of ethos in order to appeal his trustworthy to his audience. Michael pollen organized his argument very well. He builds the arguments, by going through and describing the facts and claims he made regarding the western diet, followed by reasoning which made his argument trustworthy, like first he made claim that “stop eating a western diet” After that he gave reason for his claim that why we should escape western diet. He mention that “We should escape the western diet because western diet is a processed diet which has more carbohydrates and less micro nutrients which are the cause of many harmful diseases in United States” Pollan explain that lack of micro-nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids are the main cause of many chronic diseases in our country. To support his view on issue, He also describe the neo-lipid, omega-3 and carbohydrates hypothesis. Pollan quoted Denis Burkett
If we say that the right hand side in picture 1 is the potato, and the
While Maize thrived among Mediterranean countries, potatoes were met with prejudice do to its ugly appearance but eventually became a staple of Ireland, who used the calories to provide wheat for England. New crops increased output pin the same area of land, allowing England to have plenty of food, land, and export enough to begin industrialization. Coal further increased production in Britain, allowing it ti collect large enough profits in industrial goods to import foods, freeing up
Michael Pollan uses the potato to address the idea of control, in particular, whether we have control over nature or it has control over us. Potatoes were first found in South America growing in the Andes. The ancestors of the Incas lived in that area and were the first known humans to cultivate these potatoes for human consumption (Pollan 131). When settlers came to the New World they marveled at these new crops that grew from spuds and shipped them back to Europe. Potatoes became the crop of choice for peasant farmers, particularly in Ireland, because they contained most of the necessary nutrition required for healthy living and they grew well in nutrient-poor soils. The farmers growing these
There are several circumstances to take into consideration when looking at the causes of the Great Potato Famine in Ireland. Due to the great dependence the Irish people had on the potato, it is clear how blight could devastate a country and its people. To understand the Irish people's dependence on the potato for diet, income, and a way out of poverty, it is necessary to look at several key factors that were evident before the famine. Factors such farming as the only way of life, rise in population, and limited crops explain why the people of Ireland relied on the potato. But not only do these reasons clarify why the famine hit the Irish people so hard, other important factors play into effect as well. By looking at the weak relationship between England and Ireland through parliamentary acts and trade laws, it is more evident what the causes of the Great Famine are and why it was so detrimental.
He does this so that his readers experience a rude awakening and realize that the corporations have been lying to them all this time. He first establishes a heavily-controlled relationship with his readers, only showing them what he wants them to see, through cherry-picking and the subtle manipulation of facts. He wants his audience to answer his question, “What’s Eating America?” Pollan wants them to realize that these businesses and farms that claim to be revolutionizing agriculture and saving the world are only looking for short-term profit. In the long run, these corporations are what is eating America. They consume her land, her resources, her peoples’ minds and her environment, all in the name of a measly
The potato famine in Ireland from 1845-1852 sent thousands of poor farmers to America in hope of finding jobs. The Irish were overly dependent on the potato for a means of income, so when it faltered, so did their source of income. In America, the Irish worked in factories with
During the mid 1840’s, blight in the potato crops in Ireland caused widespread starvation and migration of Irish citizens to the United States. Yet, the massive loss of life and massive exodus could have been avoided if British taxation upon the working class of Ireland was nullified. Though the struggle for liberation was already taking place, the potato famine furthered the cause and helped spread awareness. Furthermore, the potato famine made the average Irish family more reliant upon the government for subsidies and supports to get by.
The populations of the New and Old Worlds were greatly affected by the Columbian Exchange. In the Old World, populations and life expectancies of individuals were flourishing. This was due to the exchanging of various edible plants between the two lands. In Europe, the introduction of the potato would greatly increase populations in many countries, especially Ireland. “The potato was originally grown in the Andes mountains” where the Natives first grew the tubular root (“Potato.”). Much of Europe was hesitant in growing and consuming the new food, but in 1794, during a wheat famine, soon came to love the new source of energy (“Potato.”) In Ireland, the potato quickly became a staple food as the population grew “by seven million in two centuries (“Potato.”).” With milk and approximately three acres of healthy potatoes planted, a family could be fed for two years, assuming no potatoes spoiled (“Potato.”). However, the Europeans weren’t the only ones who experienced the benefits of the Columbian Exchange. Maize was brought to Asia, causing rapid population growth, and wheat, beef, and plantain were of benefit to Native American’s nutrition (Crosby). However, Amerindian...
...o Ireland, but this only hurt them worse. Potatoes are very nutritious, and the transition of corn which lacked the nutrients caused scurvy. But in the end the British assumed if they just kept buying from the Irish they would pay their rents and buy some of their food from Britain. (History)
Potatoes have become a staple to the diet of humans.They have become so popular since they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and tastes. They are also cheap and easy to grow, and they taste delicious! Potatoes have changed the course of history in several ways. Who knew that potatoes, just a starchy vegetable, could have helped shape the world in so many ways. First, the Irish Potato Famine killed a million people and caused another million to move out of Ireland. Second, soldiers in the United States army were able to eat potatoes throughout the war. Third, they prevented a famine from occurring in England after there was not a sufficient amount of crops going to sustain the country's cries for food. Many people wonder if potatoes have
Civilization began with agriculture, and agriculture continues to be an integral part of our lives. Civilization brought knowledge, knowledge brought technology, and technology brought chemicals and pesticides to “improve” our world. “The Obligation to Endure” is an excerpt from Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” a passionate and masterful work on the results of civilization’s efforts to control pests and insects. These effects include destruction of the environment, alteration of gene structures in plants and animals, water contamination, and an upset of nature’s delicate balance. This article is an impassioned plea to the world to understand the threat and demand the information necessary to make an informed consent on use of these deadly substances.
Schlosser sets off chapter 5: “Why the Fries Taste Good,” in Aberdeen, Idaho at the J. R. Simplot Plant where he introduces John Richard Simplot, “America’s great potato baron,” (Schlosser 111). Simplot dropped out of school at 15, left home, and found work on a potato farm in Declo, Idaho making 30 cents an hour. Simplot bought and turned profit on some interest-bearing scrip from some school teachers and used the money to at 600 hogs at $1 a head. He feed the hogs horse meat from wild horses he shot himself, later selling them for $12.50 a head. At age 16 Simplot leased 160 acres to begin growing Russet Burbank Potatoes. In the 1920s the potato industry was just picking up as Idaho was discovered to have the ideal soil and conditions for successfully growing potatoes (Schlosser 112). Soon Simplot was the “largest shipper of potatoes in the West, operating 33 warehouses in Oregon and Idaho,” (Schlosser 113). During World War II Simplot sold dehydrated potatoes and onions to the U.S. Army. By the time he was 36 he “was growing his own potatoes, fe...
The cutting down on the uses of pesticides and fertilizers is one on the next great step we have to make as a society. It will take a long time to implement these changes and there will be Problems along this journey. The sooner we start this long journey. The longer we have to work out the Kinks in sustainable farming. We at least should think about the future generations that will live on earth. This is the one place we all have to call home and it’s our job to take care of it for the next generations. We can’t give them a problem that take a long time to fix because it could be too late to fix the problems in a generations or two. This is why we need to push the world to a sustainable farm
The introduction of the potato to the Old World increased the population in Europe. This is due to the fact that potatoes have a great source of calories, vitamins and fatty acids. As the quality and quantity of food went up so did the population. Potatoes were met with resistance in many places in Europe. The rulers of most country recognized the potato's beneficial nutrients and slowly the potato was integrated into Europeans diet. Some historians argue that potatoes were adopted by Europe because of the growing population rather than the idea potatoes helped the populations increase. Potatoes are the reason populations in Europe increased because of the surplus of nutrients the new crop provided.