Genetic Modified Foods (Cons) Speech or Presentation

Genetic Modified Foods (Cons) - Speech or Presentation Example Many of the disadvantages associated with the GM foods are realized in environmental, medical and economic respects. The speech will seek to address the disadvantages of GM foods in a manner that would be appropriate to my three sets of audiences. It should be realized that these three sets of audiences have their own sets of reservations with respect to GM foods, and this forms the basis of their antipathy (McHughen, 2009). Environmentalists are normally concerned with the preservation of the flora and fauna across the world and greatly opposing any human activity that interferes with the functioning of the natural world. In this case, nature should be left to take its own course without destroying it. Environmentalists have associated GM foods with cases of mortality realized in certain organisms. One study revealed that butterfly caterpillars were highly susceptible to pollen from certain types of GM foods. It is said that the modified crops produced several kinds of toxins which greatly affect organisms in contact with them. In this case, my speech on the disadvantages of GM foods to the environmentalists will basically focus on the use of facts and evidence to bring out the effects of GM crops on the organisms such as plants and insects (Ruse & Castle, 2002). The focus of genetical engineering is to transfer genes from one crop to another. However, it is often realized that certain crops which were not really targeted by the gene transfer are also affected in the process. As such, the natural environment is affected as crops gain certain characteristics which are not really intended. In several areas where genetically modified crops are grown, several farmers always complain that their crops are cross-pollinated by the genetically modified crops. In the end, the genes are spread from one crop to another, which might eventually affect the characteristics of the natural crops. The speech to the environmentalists will, therefore, focus on many examples of the effects of GM foods on the natural habitat (Smith, 2007). To the health experts, the focus is the effect of the GM foods on the health of the human beings who consume it. In this regard, much research has been conducted in order to determine the health effects of GM foods. Much of this research has led to several realizations while there is still much to be uncovered. In any case, it should be realized that some of the health effects of GM foods might not be evident in the short run. It has been confirmed that many children across the developed world have at one time developed risky allergy conditions after consuming certain types of peanuts and other foods produced through genetical means (Wendy, 2005). This is a result of the genetical process in which the introduction of a new gene in the crops leads to the formation of a new allergen which causes reactions in the humans (Smith, 2007). The GM foods are generally associated with different types of allergies most of which are life threatening. My speech to the health experts would, therefore, revolve around the health issues of GM foods and provide classic cases of how these foods have caused great challenges in this respect. Apart from the known effects, there is still much information to be discovered on the effects of GM foods on human health. In this case, it is safer to avoid using such foods until much of the information has been obtained and

How relevant are the classical approaches to understanding society Essay

How relevant are the classical approaches to understanding society - Essay Example The essay will trace back to the classical approaches towards understanding of human beings with the Marxism, Functionalism and Interactivism theories and then will confer to the relevance of these theories for understanding the contemporary society. The roots of the phenomenon of this beginning traces back to our philosophers who first attempted to study the basic elements of our Universe and the nature. It was found that around 600 BC, a Greek named Thabes of Miletus (640-546 BC), became the first philosopher to speculate about the nature of the Universe in order to predict a solar Eclipse. (Lerner 2001: 20) It is amply clear that before the philosophical disposition towards the study of human beings started, philosophers were more delving into the mysteries of nature. It was only 200 years later that philosophers began to disperse their knowledge and skills in the study of the nature of human development and Plato’s philosophical statements regarding the human development was first significant contribution. But his derivations and statements of the many of the philosophers following him were indirect. For complete 2000 years, their major works were concern on physical, spatial, and temporal body, mind and soul. (Lerner 2001: 20) But his ideas presented before us not only the study of intricate human nature rather on nature or nurture issue. He said that it is not necessary for human beings to learn about their own nature, as it is inherent in them, in the form of their soul. Plato divided the soul into three parts desire, spiritual and rational whereas Aristotle looked at human beings as having only two souls: the philosophical/ theoretical and the rational. Even Giddins pinpointed to the fact that the systemic study of the human behavior and society only began during late 1700 and early 1800 after the world saw complete change in their social, economic and political set up at the aftermath of French revolution and Industrial revolution respectively