Recycle Poop

First of all what are Biosolids? They are basically organic waste by-products from agricultural production or sewage treatment plants that are spread on farm fields as a fertilizer.

Biosolids have actually been in use in UK and European agriculture for more than 80 years. But there is increasing pressure to stop the practice of land application. In the 1990s there was pressure in some European countries to ban the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer. Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, and others introduced a ban. 





It may sound funny but humans produce a lot of waste - by - product. Adult humans produce 1-2 liters of urine a day; if you live to be 70 that’s around 10,000 gallons. Each of us also produces 13 gallons of feces annually. 

Some Pros - cheap                                                                   Cons - might be unhealthy                 

          recyclable                                                                            Unknown origin 

          improves fertility of soil                                                         odor    

While biosolids have long been an integral component to the recycling industry, most folks tend to think of recycling in terms of bottles, aluminum cans or newspapers. Biosolids, which are derived from human sewage, is a topic most would rather just flush and forget. But biosolid management is a necessity and biosolid recycling is the environmentally preferred alternative.

Comments

Erica write  

http://bioblog-erica.blogspot.com/

I tried to comment on Brians page would not work so my comment is here :

You bring up many points that I hadn't thought about, such as the fact that humans are pretty much products of pollution. Also, that it's up to the farmers to get their fertilizer from a trusted source, and that the health of the consumers is at stake.

 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sludge

http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp

http://www.toronto.ca/water/biosolids/index.htm

Genetic Engineering: The Creation of a New Monopoly

What Is Genetic Engineering?

      

 Genetic engineering is set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms.Genes are the chemical blueprints that determine an organism's traits. Moving genes from one organism to another transfers those traits. Through genetic engineering, organisms are given new combinations of genes and therefore new combinations of traits that do not occur in nature and, indeed, cannot be developed by natural means. Such an artificial technology is radically different from traditional plant and animal breeding.

Monsanto Patenting Life

        The Monsanto Company is a multinational agricultural bioteachnology corporation . It is the world's leading producer of herbicide glyphosate, marketed as "Roundup". Monsanto is also the leading producer of  genetically engineered seed; it provides the technology in 90% of the world's genetically engineered seeds.Monsanto scientists became the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1982. Five years later, Monsanto conducted the first field tests of genetically engineered crops.Through a process of mergers and spin-offs between 1997 and 2002, Monsanto made a transition from chemical giant to biotech giant.  

       Between the years of 2004 and 2005 Monsanto began issuing law suits many farmers from the United States and Canada. If farmers crops wee contaminated with seeds from Monsanto, farmers were sued for patent infringement.  Farmers claimed the seed was unknowingly blown by the wind carrying the seeds from neighboring crops, a claim rejected by Monsanto. Thus causing many non Monsanto seed farmers to shutdown. 

Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Food

Pros: 

        It is also said that genetically modified foods grow faster than the foods that are grown in the traditional manner. Due to this, productivity increases, providing the population with more food. Apart from this, it is claimed that genetically modified foods are a boon in places which experience frequent droughts, or where the soil is incompetent for agriculture, due to which it is difficult to grow normal crops.

                                                                                   Cons: 

        The biggest threat caused by genetically modified food is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics. Moreover, according to some experts, people who consume such foods have high chances of developing cancer. Besides, as these foods are new inventions, not much is not known about their long term effects on human beings. As the health effects are unknown, many people prefer to stay away from genetically modified foods.

      

Genetically modified foods as stated have there benefits, like  being able to grow and mature faster. They also have there down sides, like having harmful effects on the body causing many problems with antibiotics. It is a very sensitive and risky operation, not just for the farmers, but for consumers all around the world. When  big companies like Monsanto are able to patent and own organic life, it is something we should always be weary about. 

Sources: 

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons.html

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons-6346.html

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/monsanto-pig-patent-111/

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/whoOwnsLifeNotMonsanto.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food

Comments: 

Atsushi Kinoshita - (Not) Froggy Future 

Mary Chui - DIY Fetus

Steam Cells Cure Blindness (Word count: 445)

Steam Cells Cure Blindness (Word count: 445)

What are Stem Cells:

Stem Cells are basic cells found in all multi cellular organisms, like humans and plants. These cells are characterized with the ability to perform mitotic cell division(mitosis).There are two types of stem cells known that can be obtained from mammalian creatures, embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.  In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells, but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues. By far the most important property stem cells have, is their ability to be incorporated in any part of the body, they can be used in repairing the cornea, the heart, liver, etc.

 

Extracting Stem Cells

 

Social Impact of Stem Cells:

 

On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush announced his decision to allow Federal funding of research only on existing human embryonic stem cell lines created prior to his announcement. His concern was to not foster the continued destruction of living human embryos. In 2004, both houses of Congress have asked President George W. Bush to review his policy on embryonic stem cell research. President George W. Bush released a statement reiterating his moral qualms about creating human embryos to destroy them, and refused to reverse the federal policy banning government funding of embryonic stem cell research. In the November 2004 election, California had a Stem Cell Research Funding authorization initiative on the ballot that won by a 60% to 40% margin. It established the "California Institute for Regenerative Medicine" to regulate stem cell research and research facilities. It authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds to finance institute activities up to $3 billion dollars subject to an annual limit of $350 million. 

Stem Cell Treatments: 

The loss or degeneration of photoreceptors in the retina, the light sensing receptors in the eye, leads to blindness. This is the mechanism seen with age-related macular degeneration, a common age-related disease. Several approaches to replacing the photoreceptors have been attempted, but a recent study in the journal Cell Stem Cell indicates that embryonic stem cells may hold the key. In 2004, Klassen et al. looked at retinal progenitor cells isolated from day-old mice and found some improvement in light-mediated behavior of adults with retinal grafts, indicating that the neurons regenerated the retina to some extent. That same year, Coles et al. looked at retinal stem cells and found that they could differentiate into retinal cells. Two years later, MacLaren et al. showed that these stem cell-derived cells could be transplanted and populate a damaged eye. Also in 2006, Lamba et al. showed that embryonic stem cells could be directed to become retinal cells, including photoreceptors expressing specific markers, something the other cell types had not achieved.

 Sources:

http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/stem-cell-harvest.jpg

http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/history-of-stem-cell-research-faq.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell

http://www.suite101.com/content/can-stem-cells-cure-blindness-a90589

http://gizmodo.com/5277456/stem-cell-contact-lenses-cure-blindness-in-less-than-a-month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYDSPFuWFDM&feature=player_embedded

Comments: 

http://blukersbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/babies-by-dolce-and-gabbana.html#comments

 http://caitlincosgrovebioblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/designer-babies.html#comments

The Rehabilitation, and Presentation of the Galapagose Island

 The Galapagos Islands are a collection of active volcanoes, just 600 km off the coast of Ecuador. The islands were discovered on accident in 1535 by Father Tomas Berlange. Post its discovery; theIslands have been used by Spanish pirates as hideaways. The islands stunning wildlife attracted many hunters and poachers, causing many species like the fur seal, and giant tortoise to be nearly wiped out.

Fur Seal

  

 



                             In_1835,Charles Darwin, the man who had revolutionise biodiversity itself, had also been quoted, on crediting most of his scientific discoveries to the time he spent on the island. Now the Charles Darwin Foundation has devoted it passion to repopulating the island with its once abundant indigenous species. Breeding and rearing endangered species in captivity has been an important tool in conservation for many years.

Charles Darwin 

The Giant Tortoise Program, begun in 1965, is one of the longest running programs of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park. As of 2007, more than 4,000 young tortoises had been repatriated to eight populations.

Giant Tortoise

The Iguana Program, was initiated in 1976 following the near complete destruction of two iguana populations by feral dog packs. The program was later expanded to include the land iguana population of Baltra. In 2008, the program was shut down, a result of the re-establishment of healthy populations at the three sites. During the program, more than 1,000 young iguanas were returned to the wild. The three populations will continue to be monitored to ensure their future safety.

Land Iguana

Many scientists consider humans as the most invasive species, as humans can greatly change an environment and impact living things that reside in it, but some scientists like the people at the Charles Darwin Foundation, are trying to reverse the damage that there fellow men have caused. 

Sources:

File:Giant Tortoise.jpg,  Sept 29, / 10

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_Tortoise.jpg

"Fur seals",A south african fur seal on the beach at Cape Cross in Namibia, Africa. 

Copyright © 2000 - 2010 Rolf Hicker, Sept 29,  /10 http://www.hickerphoto.com/african-fur-seal-191-pictures.htm

"The Galapagos Islands" Sep 29 /10 http://people.rit.edu/rhrsbi/GalapagosPages/AboutGalapagos.html

 "Saving Endangered Species: Captive Breeding, Rearing, and Repatriation" 

©2008 Galapagos Conservancy

http://www.galapagos.org/2008/index.php?id=108

Sept 29/ 10 

Coments:

http://debsbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/interwebs-of-biodiversity.html?showComment=1285858563213_AIe9_BGPs0jO2ojx1zA5nega8QIjluvg4QFMDA6QIFhTGzM41NmJIXVnZdj8fFyY-WrCSscv-KO7CGS4uaOv2uZHfkJio5ba95ZfS1r9kaxq5TRQph_6GQHTX9hr5p_ZSZiF-wuHNYdedcz80R4GtBkXjDtret0_OoB4R0WNKgCwNdL9MfS3n5TkVjAjXkJFuh7aoxHXU8Fti0lm1xhRvFM6o1UykXDivS2hX_eDBemVibZJ_3l7wT_w4_Je37C8d-ajBvJl9G1fV3pxxUIRnn78XcWiScBzjoOif16EKjYhegjcRLP8EnQ_9mKqS47DDuspGoNUPoAQej4MKiKNOKq3HWe4rNen5rwt9nEeibgXiKKIaNmz6VqxgNWMitQhVYKN_NK0cGvgBD225deh_34-8FNZgn36-5ZvXGJkBpf7pzuYdtMgZxmF0LSDsF4I6RDobIUJqnUWfS_nVvmZyX9Mtc6TQp3rBO1MH6MkfKfkcijEFoLqYPmQHnYNZFG5A_uIwUzxy7ZCSowtiz4HqJvKpi4wHF0QSeCvJ6GG7gPkiIvbmC-xS9FlnAnAzxwiQ_8e2qX9cpDmC3RJpYigJEuw_r9-QKjHY-4T9iid-jHlxkWjRMfu6cFl9_KK7rLzL-qQ56EG9gtGcLEawTe9jGr01HI4xJkiwREj2MPhmR5h8hvnTPO-God6WHHEiPjwV0s5hh9mSN6gxrtvDcEicp7VOwfsX5IDScElMhi2J5bpyJudqVqidNq7HUVaYEaWn0VJNKtyKYd1LL7dP01fpadmmvEdytofJAcohcE_0a-hshlq8Ev5LPKXjNqQO3lYJ2xgc4C0DINtxCYqSaiL4TR1oWhsxAx66eryb-Se2xTbv1kv08Y2soalP8EKeqLC9dMvrJbNQ5_u#c8613851167726322238

  http://taylorbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/world-wildlife-fund.html?showComment=1285860297958_AIe9_BEb9PDhMv67rAP8IJn_hui24j7_bOAPqSBUf2dwHBwUMd2sdBxQyS39nEKeb-dRP6hsb_-vgP5KRR4M1pteBaeVzKAhW9Mp4cLVm15oBJ18U3tgGj5kdcSxT_CTzhRBBlggImGAM2LUCBdh2fNPqiYPHTHqWmHc0iL7CWd_tnm232CkfRwBBFmJ6yG-7gX_NZIU023pH_bhTCz6y33eUaIX6tOZXSaOldFtD-tZilG0_Q5EjnDydcCzQIaXtk0nXyWvkvHNqjb1AsPdL4icRdNbuUxhiK0ygi8i9s8HT25BZvWCtWyvaKlmQusiCxgwyYbtBeVJ9WF9PFQG_rXmUbQVRZO44GFcpZnymDgOy6A2YuL9UkM-kZ6sQv8tox_QtW4GblvIbiu5SwdeOD2SuxOpupa8ovx5fJqq2gtrBmigDmYN22caAZJBoP5iDJf56AnH6fFhQh-vkFiAV-oFudN_uFmNVf7sZ9Nr06fHfZAtbLs3A2bKe5rEA0uZh_XwrIiWrUbkqrFh-Dns1C1-x9XHJrgyJvFVqCpsMGx5VB7udRtcWp680OD8nrdhFAzn2xRp09S9niOsQKFIY2Db3RPfWS0a9kEh3rmCoZzRgQgxZm606rOljg7ci0DUdQjZTNOtSrcLXoPnwe8g7xYKAtPnaUjCeo6bvR43MVLwesarJ0K8In_p5rmGU2GjqJrGoI5jiOuRSpNgMZ4l6fK5E_NgYpFPj3DENfTa97odRmwvX6mZw6hPxtQQ-feB8bcNabBd_A1OTdXh3bnqY1BCx--NJgVAc0op2qo4UCFpuXbmyFhwU1QRm4JrBd0W0z-UJImhHil00hXqb2s6bV95NtzXxzV3G6cNbQcxwMF3JvcH_fv6wRA#c2702481498036933386