I should not
have put off taking biology until my junior year of college.
As an English major I have convinced myself that I am not meant
to study biology.
I am that girl that sits in the front row hoping that all the research
done saying that kids that sit in the front row make better grades
is true. My permanent marker squeaks loudly as I make out flash
cards in class in an attempt to look like I study the material.
Even on Fridays, the professor will say, “Study this for just
20 minutes tonight and you will do better on the test.” Okay.
That’s a novel concept, but … we all know the reality
of it.
For the first test, I skimmed the online notes and prayed for a
miracle. Grade received: F. For the second test, I slept with the
book open on my stomach hoping that somehow the information would
carry through my hands, up my arms and land in my brain. Grade received:
D. If that really worked we would all be making straight As and
get excited about exam week.
For the third test, I realized my GPA was at stake and I’d
better muster up some motivation.
After studying for almost 48 hours straight and developing a twitch
from all the coffee (thanks Crossroads), I began to make some connections
between Biology, English and one of the biggest environmental issues
facing our world today—genetically modified or engineered food.
In my Biology class we are studying genetics, and the focus of my
English Honors Seminar class is science and nature writing—little
did I know how closely the two would connect.
Dr. Lynn Moss Sanders, the professor of my English class, gave me
an essay written by Barbara Kingsolver, a biologist and nature writer.
The essay, found in the magazine “Mother Earth News,”
was titled “A Fist in the Eye of God,” taken from her
book “Small Wonder.” It was an article that persuaded
me to think more about the foods I buy and what is actually in them.
Genetically modified or engineered crops are crops that have altered
DNA. The crops are altered so that each and every grain, stalk or
seed is exactly alike.
In biological terms, this is not safe at all. Darwin put forth the
idea of natural selection and Mendel unknowingly discovered the
basis of genetics. No two strands of DNA are naturally identical.
Unless we tamper with nature, and then we have super crops, perfect
crops.
Sounds too good to be true, and it is. As a result of this concept
third world countries’ crops are suffering. They buy into the
idea of a mass production of a perfect crop and when it can’t
withstand the environment, be it extreme wind, rain or drought,
the crops die out.
Did you know that according to studies the number of foods that
contain genetically engineered ingredients has nearly quadrupled
since 1994? The same number of food-related illnesses in the nation
almost matches that.
Admit it. College is one of the most selfish times in one’s
life. Saving the world isn’t the top thing on our list of priorities—it
is more like we are trying to conquer or overcome it.
The amount of chemicals put into our food is scary. The alteration
of crops and the effects of this is something people might want
to start educating themselves about. Foods from Kelloggs to Hersheys
to Pepperidge Farm contain genetically altered ingredients.
Some say it is a good thing, and we will be able to copy DNA from
plants and animals that are dying out, but would they be dying out
if it weren’t for the human race and our greediness? Look at
the endangerment of rainforests or the longleaf pine trees.
It is a big issue that I am still researching, but if you are looking
for a way to make a difference think about what is in your food
before you put it in your mouth.
If you are interested in more information, books such as “Dinner
at the New Gene Cafe” by Bill Lambrecht and “Genetically
Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers” may be
helpful. Or you can go to http://www.thecampaign.org/, a Web site
by Greenpeace, who are leading advocates for the cause.
This time I am not writing the obligatory stereotype article that
seems to turn up in every issue, and some may not consider this
to be entirely a piece of campus interest, but for those who consider
themselves activists, think about taking on a new cause.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep studying. |
