Some consider this new technology "dangerous," although many also consider it a scientific marvel of the computer and information age. Read a variety of sites, look at as many sides of the issue as you can find, and think carefully about the philosophical arguments involved with implementing this technology. Some of the sites below are as "old" as 1997. Make sure you check dates whenever possible.
Bioengineered Foods
There are lots of sites out there on bioengineered foods. I've provided a sampling below. If you're interested in working on this issue for your final paper, you should do your own search, and read as many sites as you can. Keep in mind that there are many sides to this issue; make sure you are well informed before you start your argument.
- The FDA. The article from the Food and Drug Administration asks and answers some commonly asked questions about bioengineered foods. The FDA is no longer maintaining this site, but it still contains good, introductory information. Read this, then follow the link to the FDA itself and more recent information.
- "Are Bioengineered Foods Safe?", an article by Larry Thompson of the FDA.
- Genetic Foods in Canada. This is a list of some commonly bioengineered foods. Keep in mind that American and Canadian lists may differ. Nevertheless, I thought you could at least scan over this list to see what's being done and why.
- The Organic Consumers Association. This group does not support bioengineered foods.
- Tara Abatemarco's link is an article from the United Methodist News Service: "I was looking for an article that would give me a perspective on the other side of genetically engineed food - why some people are against it. During a search I found this one in the "United Methodist Church News Service." It presents an interesting view on the ethical issues that can come into the picture when discussing bioengineering food."
- Becky Allen's site is the The Whitaker Foundation: "The Whitaker Foundation is the largest private sponsor of biomedical engineering (BME). Their mission is to advance human health through medicine and science by awarding research grants. Their site provides definitions and benefits of BME and biotechnology, current developments, links to other BME sites, and job information."
- Marshall Annis's link is an article by Trevor Thieme from Popular Science: "In ³Building a Better Pest², Trevor Thieme reports how scientists in Arizona are planning to help protect local cotton farmers¹ crops from the devastating pink bollworm moth. They believe that if they introduce a gene that will make the pink bollworm infertile the population will eventually die out. However this could have detrimental effects on the local ecosystem or worse, the gene could spread to other species."
- Deepak Arora sends this link from SeekWellness.com: "Larry Thompson has put together an extensive article about bioengineered foods. The main portion consists of an interview between an FDA Consumer and Dr. Jane E. Henney, which answers many specific questions about bioengineered foods. Overall, the interview focuses on what bioengineering is, what effects/benefits it has, and the FDA's, thoughts on the topic."
- Paul Chuong sends this article from the Grand Forks (ND) Herald: "This editorial from the Grand Folks Herald lashes out on the European Union for its opposition to the production and distribution of
genetically modified foods. The author focuses on the hypocrisies of the Union, such as its desire to feed third world nations but its actions in blocking the distribution of high-nutrition genetically modified food crops to these nations. The editor defends genetically modified foods by
describing them as the logical solution in solving the problems of world hunger."
- John Fleming sends this site from Dr. Joseph Mercola: "If you watch what you eat, then you will be interested
in this little article. The FDA is not mandating that GE food companies label their products. Instead, companies can voluntarily label the food, but that does not help consumers. Dr. Joseph Mercola comments on the issue and reports that the Pope "urges extreme
caution concerning GE foods."
- Chris Gilmore suggests this link from CorpWatch.org: " The author of this article rebuffs Monsanto's claim that genetically modified food will help curtail hunger in the world.
Furthermore, this article proposes that much of the vitamin enhanced soybean and corn crop will be used for oil and animal feed, never making it to malnourished communities. This very opinionated article even presents the idea that Monsanto never intends for genetically engineered
foods to reach the mouths of starving children."
- Stefanie Kealey sends this link from Reason Online: ""Frankenfood Frenzy", one of the many current event sites from Research Online, is dedicated to keeping the public up-to-date on the controversy surrounding genetically modified foods. Links to articles praising the advantages of GM foods, as well as criticisms of
the technology are offered here. One can visit the sites of regulatory agencies of GM foods or read articles written by experts in the field of biotechnology. Conveniently, a brief summary about each article is provided under each link.
- Kristy Klein sends this link, an interview with Jim Maryanski from the FDA: "http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/consumer/con00191.html is an interview with FDA's Jim Maryanski, who is the biotechnology coordinator in the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Jim answered questions
regarding potential environmental risks from genetically altered foods, the ethical concerns of
altering foods, and nutritional concerns. This site is informative because it provides information from both sides of the genetically altering food debate."
- Julie Lauenger's site is an article from Rice (University) News: "Lia Unrau of Rice University describes advances in tissue engineering that will be discussed in a course. The course focuses on how tissues and organ transplants will soon be able to be developed from the patients' own cells. This is beneficial because it solves the problem of organ rejection and at the same time solves the problem of waiting for a donor."
- Paul Lavoie sends this site from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC): "ATCC is a global bioresource center that deals directly with bioengineering, primarily for scholars and scientists. It contains
catalogues of different biological specimens that researchers may make comparisons to when performing bioengineering related tasks."
- Jeffrey Lees provides this article from the National Institute of Health: "Biology is no longer just for biologists, its is also for engineers, computer scientists etc...Together they will work on more than 70 ideas agreed to be of interest. This is not just a pro engineering site,
there are people who disagree with it.
- Blake Loscalzo provides this link from The Bulletin (Australia): "Bioengineering in sports has become a growing industry. Kathryn North, a neurological professor from Australia, has discovered that the ACTN3 is linked to humans running abilities. This article describes North's research and some ethical issues that may arise from the potential of
bioengineering."
- April Mahoney provides this link from the USDA: "This page from the United States' Department of Agriculture website describes the roles that different agencies play in the regulation of genetically engineered foods. Also featured on this page are quotes supporting biotechnology from the Secretary of Agriculture, Ann M. Veneman. Veneman discusses the possibilities biotechnology offers to the people
of third world nations in particular."
- Kevin Manoni sends a article from MSNBC.com: "This is a news article from a major internet site that reports the possibilities of using bioengineering to clone a child for families that cannot produce children normally, and want offspring that are genetically related to them. The possibility of cloning a child that has died in a car accident or even cloning yourself are mentioned in this article. This is a technophilic article that raves about the miracles and possibilities that bioengineering holds."
- Sophie Moravej's site is an article from the United Nations: "The United Nation¹s Press Release concerning the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a summary of the intentions of this 50 nation ratified agreement put into effect September 11, 2003. The Protocol was adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in January 2000 recognizing the tremendous benefits and hazards of biotechnology, especially over national borders. This system of regulations¹ goal is to ensure safe handling of genetically modified organisms and to promote biosafety."
- Taki Naito sends this site from the Social Issues Resource Center (SIRC): "An article from the Social Issues Research Center, "GM foods o.k. in US " discusses why Americans promote GM foods and why Europeans do not. Many Americans believe GM foods are very beneficial for now and the future. Many Europeans on the other hand do not promote GM foods since the media portrays great fear with scary stories and worries behind them."
- Katie O'Keeffe's site is from the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering: "The National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering for the National Institute of Health covers a wide range of pursuits in the field of improving health and healthcare systems. This site coordinates the efforts of many different biomedical imaging/ and bioengineering firms as well as other National Institute of Health (NIH) organizations."
- Michelle Spangle's site is an article by Ronald Bailey, again on Reason.com: "In Reason Magazine, Ronald Bailey wrote the article "Dr. Strangeluch," which criticizes those who would rather watch thousands of people starve from failed crops or die from malnutrition than make bioengineered food and crops available. He attacks activist Vandana Shiva¹s view that if people use genetically altered foods, the natural farmer will go out of business. He says this romantic view of farming is the luxury of the rich, while in India and across the world, the lives of the farmers and their families depend on
the success of each crop."
- Jan Voolstra's link is MedBioWorld.com: "Medbioworld is an interesting medical based site that provides thousands of links to medical based journals and articles. If you have any interest in medicine this is a very useful site. On top of having links for bioengineering, it also has a link to find the lastest books on the topics you are researching."
