GMO Labeling Debate

Should products that are genetically modified or are made with them be labeled?What about the food that an animal raised for human consumption ate? Do you want to know if your food is or contains GMO's? Should GMO's be labeled? There seems to be a lot of talk and controversy around labeling genetically modified organisms.

Before we get into labeling and such, let's talk about GMO's. GMO's or genetically modified organisms are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. The techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. The DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. You may have heard it called gene splicing. GMO's are the constituents of genetically modified or biotech foods. This process can only happen in a laboratory. It does not happen in nature. I am not talking about selective breeding, plant breeding and animal breeding.

The most common application of GMO's is to withstand herbicides or to produce an insecticide. No GMO traits are on the market for bigger yields, drought resistance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. You have probably heard of Round Up ready crops. They are plants that have been genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate. Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide used to kill weeds. It inhibits an enzyme that plants need in order to grow. Without this enzyme plants are unable to produce other proteins essential for growth. Bt corn is another type of GMO. It is bioengineered to resist the European corn borer. The borer can cause significant damage to crops. The moth's larvae feed on maturing ears of corn. Bt, bacillus thuringiensis, is a live microorganism that kills certain insects. The GMO Bt corn includes part of the bacterium's DNA in its own genetic material. As the corn grows the poison builds up and destroys the digestive system of the moth and butterfly larvae. Susceptible larvae like the European corn borer eat fatal doses while feeding on the corn. The most common GMO crops right now are corn, soybeans, sweet corn, cotton, canola (rapeseed), and sugar beets.

The biggest controversy around GMO's is food safety. Are GMO's safe to eat? In the US the regulation of GMO's falls under the EPA, USDA, and the FDA. Those three agencies deal with different areas of regulation. The EPA evaluates for environmental safety. The USDA evaluates if something is safe to grow. The FDA decides if it is safe to eat. The EPA requires growers to have a license to grow GMO crops. The EPA regulates GMO's that contain a pesticide, like Bt. The USDA regulates pre-release field testing. The USDA has groups that assess and monitor GMO crops for safety. These groups can stop the production or movement of anything deemed unacceptable and can destroy the products. Under USDA regulation a genetically modified plant does not require a permit if it meets the following six criteria.

1. Is not a noxious weed.

2. Has whatever genetic material that was introduced stably integrated into the plants own genes.

3. The function of the introduced gene is known and does not cause plant disease.

4. Is not toxic to non-target organisms.

5. Will not cause the creation of new plant viruses.

6. Does not contain genetic material from animal or human pathogen (germ).

Once the plant is grown it is under FDA regulation. Agro-biotech companies may voluntarily ask the FDA for a consultation, including an evaluation of how eating the product affects people. The companies creating new GM foods do not have to consult the FDA, nor are required to follow the FDA's recommendations after the consultation. The FDA does not require nor test GMO's for safety. Since 1992, the FDA has claimed that each GMO brought to their attention is 'generally recognized as safe' (gras) and that no independent testing is needed.

Are GMO's the biggest scientific experiment on humans and largely without our knowledge? Should GMO's be labeled? The FDA does not demand special labeling of genetically modified foods. They contend that they are substantially equivalent to non GMO foods. Safety is the most controversial aspect of GMO production. There are concerns about allergic reactions, transfer of antibiotic resistant markers and other unknown effects. Is there a possibility of environmental effects on other organisms, a transfer of trans genes through cross pollination, loss of flora or fauna and biodiversity?

Simple question, what is the purpose? The purpose of Round Up ready plants is the application of more pesticides. Glyphosates harm grazing animals and infiltrate wells and ground water. There already are resistant super weeds to Round up. It removes minerals from the soil it is sprayed on. Might I also mention that glysophates create sterility and birth defects among animals and humans? Most of the honey bee die-off, or colony collapse, is attributed to glyphosates. If enough pollinating bees disappear, our food chain is endangered further. The purpose of Bt crops is food with the pesticide already in it. This may have created mutated insect species. Research has confirmed that at least 8 populations of insects have acquired resistance to Bt crops and spraying. Please refer to natural society dot com for information and links to studies. There is a French study in which rats were fed genetically modified corn and developed tumors. Seventy percent of females died prematurely and just about all had organ damage. The study is entitled, "A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health." You can find links to the abstract at natural news dot com. To sum up, in my opinion, the purpose is more pesticides dumped in the environment. The result being resistant plants and insects and negative health effects on animals and humans. It's in the water! I'm really not feeling the benefit. How about you?

Let's get back to my original question. Should GMO's be labeled? I think they should be given the information that I have learned. I want to know if any part or whole of a product I am buying contains genetically modified organisms. Label them and let consumers decide. It will come down to supply and demand. I do not think GMO and non GMO are the same. One plant will die if dosed with an insecticide and the other will not. One plant has an insecticide in its cells and the other does not. These plants did not acquire these traits on their own.

The controversy surrounding GMO's is vast and it definitely goes beyond labeling. Personally, I don't wish to be involved in a scientific experiment against my will. Other countries are banning GMO's and performing longer studies on the effects of them, so I have hope. Unless and until labeling is required I will buy organic and look for GMO free labels.

Carol Burnham is a health and wellness coach and self-proclaimed health nut. She specializes in health coaching customized for anyone who has been or is in an alcohol recovery program. The primary focus is on nourishing and cleansing the body and becoming addicted to good, vibrant health. She also enjoys yoga, hiking and playing rock band with her family. To learn more please visit http://www.healthcoachcarol.com

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Drugs and Biologics

The efficacy of drugs vs. biologics is one of the hotly debated topics in the medical fraternity. Drugs and biologics are distinct and different from each other, but both are important components of the health industry.

How is a drug different from a biologic?
Let us understand at the elementary level: right at the level of their core. Drugs and biologics are derived from different sources. While a drug is made from a chemical synthesis and through a very precisely and scientifically defined set of processes; a biologic is derived from a living thing, such as plants, animals or microorganisms. While tablets, syrups and elixirs are typical categories of drugs; the categories for biologics generally are vaccines, gene therapies, tissues, nucleic acids and proteins. This explains the basic difference between drugs and biologics.

Processes
Another major area of difference between drugs and biologics relates to the processes that to into drugs and biologics. A drug is more precise in the sense that its processes and ingredients are properly defined. When a drug is dissected, it is possible to easily analyze the ingredients and the exact method in which it was prepared. On the other hand; a biologic is prepared using living organisms through the use of recombinant DNA technology. Since there is no chemical that it is made up of; a biologic is far less predictable and analyzable than a drug. The terminology scientists in the field use to describe the difference between drugs and biologics is that while for a drug, the process is the process, for a biologic, the product itself is the process.

It is possible to change the chemical composition of a drug at almost any time of the manufacturing process. The same cannot be said about biologics. Since they are composed of living thing, it is difficult to say the processes and proportions of the product.

The way they work
Another major difference relates to the way drugs and biologics work within the system. A drug gets dissolved much faster than a biologic. A biologic, such as vaccine, has a different purpose. Its mode of action is different from that of a drug. Thus, a drug and biologic are vastly different in the way they work on the human body.

Regulation
Yet another very big difference between a drug and a biologic is in the way they are regulated. The FDA regulates both drugs and biologics; but its ways of administering these regulations are different. One of its branches, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is in charge of regulation for biologics.

Which is better?
While there is no disagreement on the basic difference between a drug and a biologic; a more heated debate is on the difference between the two in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. It is often claimed that drugs are prone to more side effects even if they give immediate relief from an ailment, while biologics take their time to get rooted into the body, but offer long-term benefits. There are also debates about the cost of production and their effects on the environment. While these are largely left to polemics, it is perhaps best left to one's discretion to use the two prudently and judiciously, based on the nature of the ailment and the desired outcome.

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Living Healthily in a Non-Sterile Environment

Our society has become afraid of bacteria, the media promotes products such as antibacterial wipes for the home, and antibacterial gel for when we go outdoors. While most of us are not emetophobic, our fear of bacteria is due to manufacturers trying to cash in on their antibacterial products. Parents in particular are the target of these unscrupulous marketers.

Bacteria and virus exist all around us; it is in the air we breathe and the things that we touch. Our body is designed to keep out these pathogens, our skin impermeable to foreign bodies and our immune system is effective against invading microorganisms. Sunlight is particularly effective in killing bacteria and virus; ultraviolet rays are known to kill by damaging their DNA.

Antibacterial products are made out either alcohol, chlorhexidine or other chemicals proven to kill bacteria from a surface. Hospitals use these products to reduce bacterial load in the environment, because bacteria and viruses found in hospitals are potentially harmful if released into the environment. Measures have to be taken to avoid contaminating people or objects with potentially deadly bacteria such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or tubercle bacillus that cause tuberculosis.

In the community, sunlight should be enough because bacteria in the air would settle down as soon as the area is cleaned with antiseptic. Although it is important to clean our living environment regularly, regular disinfection is hardly necessary. The mass media tries to portray bacteria as the evil presence, but it is not so. It is only necessary for people with immune deficiencies to find it important to stay in a sterile environment, but the rest of us can live in harmony with bacteria.

Bacteria is useful in health and research, it is through escherichia coli that human insulin can be synthesized by using recombinant DNA technology. Without bacteria many research is impossible to perform, there will be no antibodies created to help treat diseases such as multiple sclerosis or osteoporosis. Bacteria have always been a useful tool in research of health.

Swine and avian flu are bacteria that used to be non-infectious to humans, but now we are also victim of these strains. Our immune system does not recognize these new strains as a threat, and therefore we fall sick. In a healthy person, rest and plenty of fluids should help the body recover; but the young and elderly have sub-optimal immune system and so would have some trouble fighting against the bacteria.

Even in these cases, using antibacterial products do not prove that the contagion would not spread. Even though every surface is being disinfected, we are still at the mercy of our surroundings and the air. We can disinfect the air in our home, but public places like schools and library do not practice disinfection as liberally, hence our hard work to avoid falling sick is thwarted by visiting places where sick people frequent.

So how do we prevent falling sick? Stress and dehydration can cause the body to become sluggish, and our immune system would suffer because of this. We should keep healthy by eating food high in nutrients and drink plenty of water, regular exercise is also important in keeping our mind and body strong. Sterilizing and disinfecting everything we own is not the way to live, because we cannot stay in a safe bubble forever, but we can be prepared for the invasion of infectious bacteria.

Ailyn Koay is a pharmacist working in Adelaide, Australia who aspires to become a full-time writer. Please contact ailynkoay@gmail.com.

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Be a Part of the Biological Laboratory Technician Careers

Laboratory technician careers are currently branching out. One of its most popular branches is focused on biological laboratory. Biological laboratory technicians are responsible for performing tests and experiments on living organisms. They usually work in a laboratory that is supervised by a biologist. The setting could be in a university, a hospital or an industrial research facility. Their tasks include making observations, recording experimental results and physically maintaining the laboratory and its equipment.

To be a biological lab technician, you must have at least an associate's degree or a certification from any vocational school. Some employers will even require you to have a bachelor's degree. It really depends on the complexity of your job or task. The coursework of a graduate usually includes biology, chemistry and math among others. These courses are focused to help the students learn how to use the many different types of equipment found in a biological laboratory.

Biological laboratory technicians also work in hospital laboratories. You can be called to run diagnostic tests like evaluation of samples. You can even be assigned to work in a bacteriology laboratory. This will mean that you are responsible in setting up the samples, running the needed tests and compiling the results for the evaluation and analysis of a biologist. You may also work in a university setting wherein you will do a lot of research work. You will be asked to investigate the causes and cures for diseases. You can also work on environmental problems such as pollution or climatic effects on organisms.

Biological technicians can also work for pharmaceutical establishments. This industry may employ you to search new drugs and protocols to treat diseases. Your task will include investigating drug effects on animal models, overseeing drug production and maintaining cell lines for tests. Biological lab technicians who work in pharmaceutical companies are also asked to use recombinant DNA procedures to develop new products.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the employment for biological laboratory technicians should increase by at least eighteen percent by the year 2018. The demand for drugs and other medical or agricultural products should pave the way for the increase. This is because they need the advances in biotechnology researches. The bureau also reported an average annual salary for biological laboratory technicians. They noted that it is currently at $39,000 for biological technicians that are employed by the federal government.

The average earning of a person that is involved in any of the lab technician careers is $53,500. The middle fifty percent of the medical population earned between $44, 560 and $63,420. The lowest ten percent however, earned less than $36,180 and the highest ten percent earned $74,680. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, various specialties and laboratory types have different hourly rates depending on the employer and the setting. Even the locations within each state can be a factor for the salary difference of laboratory technicians. You will earn more in urban settings as compared to working in rural areas. But you would have to consider that the living expenses in urban areas are also more costly than in rural ones.

Be part of Biological Laboratory Technician. Visit us at Biological Technician Careers

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Skin Care Cream for Antiaging

Most of us are looking for that fountain of youth in a bottle. Years ago it seemed like a dream. Science is moving forward on several fronts to address our aging process. Skin care is one of those fronts. The focus has been on wrinkles, collagen and elastin rejuvenation

We have heard buzz words, like 'moisturize', 'rejuvenate', 'protect' and 'renew'. But what do these words really mean?

Skin moisturizers most often work by placing a fine oil based layer on top of the skin's outermost layer to prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin. This aids in keeping skin hydrated, whereby cells may receive their nourishment and essentially help prevents dehydration of the skin cells, which may lead to premature aging.

Antioxident skin creams contain vitamins and other substances that may prevent the formation of 'free radicals'. They are the by-product of the cells metabolism when they use oxygen. As we age, free radicals may disrupt normal cell function and lead to cell aging and even cell death. Therefore, it may be a good idea to either use a cream with anti-oxident properties as well as using sun block, which is the number one thing you can do to prevent free radical formation in the skin, and protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays.

We may also ask, what antiaging products actually repair or rejuvenate the skin once fine lines and wrinkles set in. Can we actually 'turn back the clock'?

Collagen is one of the key protiens in the skin that help support its structure. As we age, we begin to loose collagen and elastin. To help the skin rejuvenate collagen, we must maintain a healthy diet, and must have plenty of vitamine C, which is essential for proper collagen synthesis. Vitamin C is also considered an excellent anti-oxidant, and will help to improve overall skin health.

Elastin is probably the most important element in the skin that helps reduce the formation of wrinkles, and gives us the spring in our skin, and a youthful look. Unfortunately, we all stop producing elastin as we pass puberty. Slowly our skin starts to sag and form wrinkles. New science in skin care has addressed this with quite amazing results.

Skin care creams and eye serum are now available to try and replenish our diminishing supply of elastin. Human elastin can now be produced through recombinant DNA science. In this process, the human gene for elastin is inserted into a plant, and the production of 100% pure human elastin type proteins are produced. This is an amazing forward step for the science of aging skin. One you can apply daily, available to consumers. These proteins crosslink to form exactly the same elastin we start to lose after puberty.

Now you can moisturize, use sun block, take vitamin C to slow down the aging process. You may also try skin care products with human elastin type ingredients to 'rejuvenate' aged and damaged skin appearance. Make sure your products do not contain animal elastin as this may cause allergic reactions. Look for laboratory grade, clinically tested, and scientifically proven human elastin type creams only. You may find them on your face when you take the right steps to youthful skin.

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