scholarly journals Re-Engineering What We Eat

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (07) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Sara Goudarzi
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
Complex Combination ◽  
One Step ◽  
Growing Population ◽  
Glycosylated Proteins

This article explores the need and ways to re-engineer plants and animals to provide a growing population with enough to eat. Some researchers have taken beef production inside the walls of a laboratory. One area that researchers are still working on with lab-grown meat is the taste—a complex combination of proteins, glycosylated proteins, and other compounds in the fat. Other researchers suggest the best way to produce animals and plants faster while using fewer resources is to embrace genetically modified and genetically edited foods. Researchers also are currently working on incorporating infrared cookers that cook the food as it prints, which would give users very precise control over the process. While countertop food printers may take the home cook one step further from the farm, it could also have some unexpected environmental benefits. Whether through tinkering with genes, growing foods in laboratories, or preparing them through printers or robots, technologies revolving around food are undergoing rapid research and development.

Willingness-to-Pay for Beef Quality Attributes: A Latent Segmentation Analysis of Korean Grocery Shoppers

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanjin Chung ◽  
Brian C. Briggeman ◽  
Sungill Han
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Quality Attributes ◽  
Genetically Modified Organism ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Beef Quality ◽  
Feed Ingredients ◽  
Segmentation Analysis ◽  
Level Of Concern

A latent segmentation modeling is used in this study to identify the heterogeneity of willingness-to-pay estimates for quality attributes and country-of-origin in the Korean beef market. Three distinctive groups of grocery shoppers are identified based on their level of concern (very, moderately, and not too concerned) about the use of antibiotics and genetically modified organism feed ingredients in beef production. Results indicate that the very concerned group values such attributes as antibiotics-free, genetically modified organism-free, and domestic production the most among the three groups. Results also suggest that the most important factor in determining grocery shoppers' willingness-to-pay is country-of-origin for all three groups.

scholarly journals An ecofeminist perspective on new food technologies

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Lee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Food System ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
In Vitro Meat ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
Growing Population

New food technologies are touted by some to be an indispensable part of the toolkit when it comes to feeding a growing population, especially when factoring in the growing appetite for animal products. To this end, technologies like genetically engineered (GE) animals and in vitro meat are currently in various stages of research and development, with proponents claiming a myriad of justificatory benefits. However, it is important to consider not only the technical attributes and promissory possibilities of these technologies, but also the worldviews that are being imported in turn, as well as the unanticipated social and environmental consequences that could result. In addition to critiquing dominant paradigms, the inclusive, intersectional ecofeminist perspective presented here offers a different way of thinking about new food technologies, with the aim of exposing inherent biases, rejecting a view of institutions like science and law as being objective, and advancing methods and rationales for a more explicitly ethical form of decision-making. Alternative and marginalized perspectives are especially valuable in this context, because careful reflection on the range of concerns implicated by new food technologies is necessary in order to better evaluate whether or not they can contribute to the building of a more sustainable and just food system for all.

scholarly journals MASTER GARDENER PERCEPTION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 503B-503
Author(s):  
William Klingeman ◽  
Charles Hall ◽  
Beth Babbit
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Master Gardener ◽  
Plant Introductions ◽  
Green Industry ◽  
Gm Foods ◽  
Gm Plants ◽  
Gm Plant

Though genetically modified (GM) ornamental cut flowers are already available commercially, U.S. academics and Green Industry growers have not assessed consumer perception about GM ornamental plants for landscape use. Because we must make inferences from studies of GM foods, we risk misunderstanding and alienating stakeholders and clients. If we misjudge the end-user, we jeopardize the market for future GM ornamental plant introductions. To address this gap, we surveyed Tennessee Master Gardener Volunteers in 2004. Respondents (n = 607) revealed that concern and belief about GM ornamental plants parallel U.S. expectation about GM foods. Average Master Gardener volunteer responses predict that GM ornamental plants would provide only slight benefits to both the environment and human health once used in the landscape. Compared with non-GM plants, GM ornamental plants are expected to be about the same or less invasive in the landscape. While all types of GM ornamental plants were expected to provide slight benefits, plant types were perceived differently with male respondents expecting perennials to yield the most environmental benefits and females indicating grasses and turf. Men and women also differed in their relative acceptance of GM ornamental plants, if genes were added from different types of organisms to achieve a genetic transformation of an ornamental shrub. Our results suggest that academic outreach and Green Industry marketing to promote new GM plant products should emphasize attributes of benefit, rather than GM transformation processes. Regardless, about 73% of TN Master Gardener respondents reported interest in buying GM ornamental plants if sold commercially, but the majority advocated a requirement for GM plant product labeling at point-of-sale.

scholarly journals Consumer Interest in Environmentally Beneficial Chicken Feeds: Comparing High Available Phosphorus Corn and Other Varieties

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Pesek ◽  
John C. Bernard ◽  
Meeta Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Delmarva Peninsula ◽  
Potential Solution ◽  
Roundup Ready ◽  
Consumer Interest ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Purchase Likelihood

One source of phosphorous pollution in areas of high chicken production is runoff from fields using fertilizer from these operations. A potential solution is to feed chicken high available phosphorus (HAP) corn, reducing phosphorus in manure. This study examined consumer purchase likelihood of chickens fed HAP, created traditionally or through genetic modification, and other genetically modified (GM) corn including Bt and Roundup-ready. Survey results from the Delmarva Peninsula found considerable interest in non-GM HAP corn, although GM HAP corn was not typically viewed as more acceptable than other GM varieties. Overall, the marketplace appears open to products geared toward environmental benefits.

scholarly journals Consumer perceptions of genetically modified foods: a mixed-method approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lefebvre ◽  
Laurel Aynne Cook ◽  
Merlyn A. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Food Type ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine consumers’ opinions and behavioral intentions toward foods labeled as containing genetically modified (GM) (transgenic) ingredients across plant and animal-based categories. In light of marketplace changes (i.e. labeling requirements), we explore behavioral measures based on labeling options. Design/methodology/approach Three studies, one online projective survey using a convenience sample of consumers and two experiments conducted with Amazon mTurk adult US participants, are included. Findings Consumers have negative associations with GM products vs non-GM and are more likely to purchase unlabeled GM products. GM products may offer positive economic, societal and environmental benefits. However, the need for labeling overshadows these benefits and presence of GM labeling increased avoidance. Furthermore, changes in product opinion mediate consumers’ purchase intention and willingness to pay. Research limitations/implications GM labeling negatively influences consumers’ opinions and behavioral intentions. This is important for legislators and marketers concerned with counter-labeling effects (e.g. Non-GMO Project Verified). Practical implications Debates on efficacy of labeling, inclusion disclosure of ingredients, short-term risks and long-term implications are ongoing globally. Consumer reception and purchase intention can only be changed through governmental and corporate transparency. Social implications Widespread misinformation about GM foods, presence in our food supply, impact on health, economy, environment and the marketplace still exists. The findings reflect consumers’ responses to changes proposed by the 2016 National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard legislation. Originality/value With the paucity of research on consumer response to the release of a GM animal product into the food supply, this work breaks new ground as the first to examine the impact of disclosure of GM animal-based food type.

scholarly journals Carbon Capture From Flue Gas and the Atmosphere: A Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxing Wang ◽  
Chunshan Song
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Co2 Capture ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
One Step ◽  
Single Capture

Climate change has become a worldwide concern with the rapid rise of the atmospheric Co2 concentration. To mitigate Co2 emissions, the research and development efforts in Co2 capture and separation both from the stationary sources with high Co2 concentrations (e.g., coal-fired power plant flue gas) and directly from the atmosphere have grown significantly. Much progress has been achieved, especially within the last twenty years. In this perspective, we first briefly review the current status of carbon capture technologies including absorption, adsorption, membrane, biological capture, and cryogenic separation, and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Then, we focus mainly on the recent advances in the absorption, adsorption, and membrane technologies. Even though numerous optimizations in materials and processes have been pursued, implementing a single separation process is still quite energy-intensive or costly. To address the challenges, we provide our perspectives on future directions of Co2 capture research and development, that is, the combination of flue gas recycling and hybrid capture system, and one-step integrated Co2 capture and conversion system, as they have the potential to overcome the technical bottlenecks of single capture technologies, offering significant improvement in energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The pros and cons of GM crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Gm Crops ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Main Ingredient ◽  
The World ◽  
Herbicide Tolerant ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Insect Resistant

The year 2015 marked the 20th year of the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) crops. During the period from 1996 to 2014, the global hectarage of these crops increased 100-fold, making it the fastest adopted crop technology in recent times. The overall economic gains from these crops have been estimated to be USD133.4 billion over the period from 1996 to 2013, and have been divided roughly 50% each to farmers in developed and developing countries. The environmental benefits include contributing to the practice of minimal till agriculture and a decrease in the use of pesticides. But what are the downsides of this technology? In this review I look at some of the problems related to weeds becoming resistant to glyphosate (the main ingredient that is used on herbicide tolerant crops), how these can be overcome and whether glyphosate can cause cancer. I also discuss the problem of insects becoming resistant to the toxins that are used in insect resistant crops and how these are being addressed. I look at what scientists around the world are saying on this topic and then consider GM crops that are in the pipeline of benefit to developing countries and whether any of these are likely to be commercialised in the foreseeable future.

scholarly journals Can plastic waste management be a novel solution in combating the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? A short research note

2020 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2097844
Author(s):  
Sultan Majed Al-Salem ◽  
Mohammed Sherif El-Eskandarani ◽  
Achilleas Constantinou
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Added Value ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The year 2020 has been noted to be one of major calamity the world over, in which the majority of efforts in research and development have been dedicated towards combating the threat of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Ever since the announcement of COVID-19 as a pandemic, such efforts were dedicated towards the research of its spread and vaccination. Yet still, the world might reach a resolution via an environmental solution that various entities have overlooked, with a plethora of environmental benefits vis-à-vis waste management. In this short communication, the possibility of using plastic solid waste as a substrate to employ copper, and copper alloys and their nanocomposite nanopowders to be used as permanent surface protective coats, is presented. The fact that we present such materials to be of waste origin, is an added value advantage to their beneficial advantage of developing various commodities and products that could be used in our daily lives. Furthermore, the fact that such recyclable materials are susceptible to antiviral properties and chemicals, is an added value that we should not neglect.

scholarly journals Highly sensitive immunosensing platform for one-step detection of genetically modified crops

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongfei Gao ◽  
Luke Wen ◽  
Wei Hua ◽  
Jing Tian ◽  
Yongjun Lin
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Colorimetric Method ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Genetically Modified Crops ◽  
Linear Range ◽  
Gm Crops ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
One Step ◽  
Cry 1Ab

Abstract The wide cultivation of genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant crops has raised concerns on the risks to the eco-environment resulting from a release of Cry proteins. Therefore, it is vital to develop a method for the quantification of GM crops. Herein, A highly sensitive immunosensing platform has been developed for both colorimetric and chemiluminescent (CL) detection of Cry 1Ab using dual-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as signal amplification nanoprobes for the first time. In this work, anti-Cry 1Ab monoclonal antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are simultaneously functionalized on the surface of AuNPs with an exceptionally simple synthesis method. Combined with immunomagnetic separation, this immunosensing platform based on colorimetric method could detect Cry 1Ab in one step in a linear range from 1.0 to 40 ng mL−1 within 1.5 h, with a limit of detection of 0.50 ng mL−1. The sensitivity of fabricated nanoprobes was 15.3 times higher than that using commercial HRP-conjugated antibody. Meanwhile, the fabricated nanoprobes coupled with CL detection was successfully applied for Cry 1Ab detection with a minimum detection concentration of 0.050 ng mL−1 within a linear range of 0.10–20 ng mL−1. The proposed approach was validated with genuine GM crops, and the results showed a good correlation coefficient of 0.9906 compared to those of a commercial ELISA kit. Compared with ELISA, the developed immunosensing platform significantly simplified the assay procedure and shortened the analytical time, thus providing a new platform for the detection of genetically modified crops with high sensitivity, rapidity and simplicity.

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