STUPID DUMB SCIENCE I HATE MY LIFE - Genetics

YUHHh I HATE SCIENCE

Gene

The units that pass hereditary information from parents to offspring

Mutation

A random change in a gene that occurs during representation

Fitness

Ability of an individual to survive and reproduce

Evolution

The change in species characteristics through generations due to mutations

Natural Selection

Individuals with traits/mutations that give the greatest fitness are more likely to pass on their genes

Selection Pressure

A factor that ‘favors’ certain mutations

Artificial Selection

Humans select desirable traits in a species and selectively breed or mate individuals with those traits

Natural Selection examples

Wolves

Coyotes

Survival

Artificial Selection examples

Dog breeds

Cat breeds

Cuteness/Function

Genetic Modification

Humans altering the genetic makeup of a species

Genetic Engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology (gene splicing, CRISPR, cloning)

Why genetically engineered crops?

Most commons are pest resistance and herbicide tolerance

What contains an introduction gene that produces a toxin that kills insects?

Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) crops

What crops contain genes that make them resistant to powerful herbicides, improved weed control

HT (herbicide tolerant) crops

What is also an addition to GE crops?

Resistance to droughts, diseases, etc

Improved Nutrition

Foster Growth

Potential Environmental Benefits of GE crops

Bt crops decrease the need for synthetic pesticides

HT varieties can reduce the need for plowing fields

Maintains SOM, reduces erosion

Could improve water-use efficiency or productivity

Overall, higher yields with (possibly) fewer inputs

Environmental Concerns

Outbreeding (transgenic genes entering wild populations)

Pollen is hard to control

Animals escape

Increased use of herbicides

Effect of Bt on non-pest species

What are some other possible concerns

Human Health Risks (little to no evidence)

Allergies?

Indirectly more exposure to more chemicals

Agricultural Concerns

Loss of genetic variation

Pest and Weed resistance

Cost

Legal concerns

Bt Resistance

Important frontiers in sustainable food systems

• production/agriculture

nutrient/runoff management

pollinators

soil erosion

SOM loss

• consumption

dietary choices (especially) amount of meat..

• policies

farm bill

cost of doing things differently

Takeaways from this?

Much research is being done by environmental scientists and farmers to make our food production more sustainable

Many issues are major importance to farmers/environment

A possibly rare case of win-win (even win-win-win) outcomes for many of these issues

ENVS issues associated with waste: GHG Emissions

Production of materials requires energy, as trash (food waste) decomposes, it is released as CO2 and methane

Methane is less abundant, but 17x more powerful a GHG

Landfills produce 1/3 of human methane

What do animals mistake plastic for?

Food

• They get tangled in the waste of consume it

• ½ of seabirds are found with plastic inside

• Turtles >60 pieces of plastic in their gut

• In middle of pacific or wildlife refugee

What can waste release?

Toxins

• E-waste and heavy metals

• Plastics and persistent organic compounds

• Landfill technologies have improved but..

• Older landfills

• Leaks or failures

Environmental Justice

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, etc. concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies