1. Thurs. Nov. 18 Other due dates:
Possible extra credit event (probably the last):
River of Words Opening: Thursday, November 18, at 6:30 pm in Pierce Hall
Other due dates:
Final projects – Paper is due Dec. 1 or 3
Presentation last week of lab Dec. 8 or 10
Questions due today – p. 173 #8-15

2. Impact of modern agriculture on…
Soil
a. soil erosion; b. loss of soil fertility; c. killing important microbes
Water
a. overuse; pollution by b. fertilizers and c. pesticides
Food safety and animal welfare (CAFOs)
Biodiversity
Habitat destruction/degradation
GM foods – impacts on biodiversity
Loss of crop diversity
Climate Change

3. Genetically modified foods (GM foods): food
products derived from a genetically altered
Organism; gene from another species inserted
Bt Corn – bacteria gene kills insects that eat corn
Flavr-Savr tomato – Gene from a fish keeps it from spoiling

4. GM foods – impacts on biodiversity
Harm other species: GMOs in crops produce pesticides that kill pests, AND can kill good (non-target) insects
Example: monarch butterfly caterpillars that eat pollen from GMO corn grow more slowly and have a higher mortality rate. 5 4

5. b. Effects of GM foods on biodiversity
GM plants could cross-breed with wild plants, introduce new diseases or harmful characteristics
GM plants that are immune to weed-killers lead to more pesticides being sprayed and to “superweeds” that can’t be killed 5

6. ECONOMIC problems of GMO foods
GMOs in crops cost more and are patented
farmer has to pay more for the seeds
can’t collect seeds from the crops to use later
Every statement that comes from other sources must have a reference cited; here, the “ethical considerations” just comes from my general understanding of the issue, so I did not cite a source.

7. C. Impact of agriculture on…
4. Biodiversity:
c. Loss of crop diversity
Monocultures=one crop planted over large area
More susceptible to pests, weeds – need more fertilizer, pesticides
Corporations sell few varieties of seeds, farmers stop saving seeds

8. A monoculture crop requires more fertilizer because…
All the different kinds of plants are competing with each other
All the different kinds of plants add the same kinds of nutrients to the soil when they die
One type of plant uses the same type of nutrients from the soil
A big field of one type of plant attracts a lot of pest insects

9. C. Impact of agriculture on…
5. Climate change:
Agriculture produces greenhouse gases (from loss of forests, cattle, production of fertilizers, use of fossil fuels)

10. Video: “The Future of Food”
By Deborah Koons Garcia
2004 Lily Films

11. My biggest concern about GM foods is…
Economic effect on farmers
Economic effect on consumers
Negative effects on environment
Possible health problems
All of the above
None of the above

12. I think GM foods should be…
Banned completely
Studied more extensively before being sold to consumers
Allowed, but should be labeled
Other

13. How can we make agriculture more SUSTAINABLE?
=maintain soil, keep water clean, protect habitat, produce healthy food, allow farmers to make a living?