Biotechnology in animal agriculture

With great power there must also come great responsibility

   — Uncle Ben in Spiderman comics

Biotechonology in animal agriculture, commonly known as one aspect of genetically modified foods (GMO foods) or its subbranch transgenic food animal, is a prevalent, yet controversial topic not only in scientific field, but also in the entire society globally. It is simply because food is so closely related to us. Since the demand for food increase every year (due to dramatic increase in population) and seems not going to stop in a short term, the production of GMO foods is in an ascending trend correspondingly. Why? If you ask me, I would say it’s for efficient growth in food animals, and subsequently for making money more efficiently. Is it correct to do this? My answer would be theoretically no.

Recall from “Food Inc.” the movie, it took 70 days to raise a chicken until it was qualified for sale 50 years ago. Today, however, it only needs 48 days for chicken to meet the requirement. This is not the only improvement. The size of the chicken is twice as big as it was 50 years ago. Why? Because people like white meat. As consumers in the market prefer large chicken breasts today, producers have redesigned the chicken so they can grow more efficiently within a much shorter time of period. It is good for consumers and producers? Maybe. Is it good for chicken? No, because according to the movie, most chickens cannot afford the effect of the rapid growth. One thing leads to another, they end up failing to stand up and are forced to sit around instead. This situation severely violates the five freedoms of animals completely, yet seems like no one is caring about this.

Another example I can think of is the genetically modified salmon. Again, people are doing this for rapid growth rate of salmon. According to a literature review paper I wrote last year, growth hormone from the Pacific Chinook salmon is transferred into the genes sequence of Atlantic salmon, and after subsequent series of DNA promoter transfer, transcription, and translation, it would only take about one and half year to grow the fish for market size instead of three years. This technology is remarkable, but how about the story behind this? How about the scientific fact that evolution is dynamic, and mutation may happens at any stage of any species, including fish. In my opinion, I don’t resist the progressive development of GMO foods, but we should’ve not forgotten the nature of evolution and abandoned for economic demands and profits. Everything has a line. It’s like a double edge sword. It might help you in short run, it also could hurt you in long run.

Turning good questions into good science (answers)

Well begun is half done

                                                  --Buddhism

It happens to me many times that I struggle to come up with a so called “good question.” It is not that I cannot distinguish between regular questions and good questions. I have encountered good questions asked by my classmates for thousand times. Every time I hear a good question, I am always amazed by the thought of that question and ask myself why I cannot come up with similar questions. I believe it is the definition of a “good question” that I don’t understand which leaves me in such frustrating situation. The level of questions that I asked always seems to be shallow, not good enough so that it will make people to think. I’m good at asking questions that requires only yes or no answers, which does not give much thinking to the question. In my opinion, a good question does not have to be complicated, but should be more like a scenario question extended from a basic concept. For example, instead of asking “is animal abuse a problem in the society?” this question should be better, “in the context of human-animal bond, how does domestic violence, school bullying, and the society as three environmental factors interpret the animal abuse phenomenon?”

Let’s go to today’s topic, “turning good questions into good science (answers).” In my opinion, this topic is actually adapted from what I mentioned above, and presented in a more macroscopic way. Dr. Zuidhof spent a whole class helping us to generate good questions. I’ve learned new aspects about how to ask a good question. According to Zuidhof, there are many criteria for generating a good question. The two that I think will be the most important are a) does it trigger any interest? B) will you get an answer? (is your hypothesis testable?)

For a), I believe it is the interest that drives me to ask the question and the subsequent motivation that makes me try to figure out the solution and to solve the problem. If a question does not trigger any interest at least in the person who asks this question, it is definitely not worth of answering.

For b), it is equally important to a). The question has to be testable and feasible in order to generate a convincible conclusion or answer. In my opinion, a good question requires at least half of the whole contribution you put on a project. It should be a well-educated question that contains potential of generating a good answer.

What are my goals for ANSC499?

Capstone: A coping stone.

—Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Hello everyone. This is my first blog, my first English blog, and also my first blog assignment for capstone course Animal Science 499.

I’d like to give a brief introduction about myself. My name is Min Lu, from China. I am a fourth year Animal Health student major in Companion and Performance Animals. The next four months will be the last term of my undergraduated study. This blog is created based on the requirement of AnSc499 class.

At the beginning of this term, I am excited yet anxious. The reason why I am excited is because I’m going to graduate at the end of this term. The reason of me being anxious is because I’ve heard people who previously took AnSc499 talking about how overwhelming this class could be. To be honest, I am a person who can be easily affected by other people’s comments. So here I am, walking into the classroom, without any pre-judgment, I guess.

Today’s topic is “what are my goals for AnSc499?” I’d like to list my goals (i.e. what I expect from this course) while following the course objectives (i.e. what the instructor expects from us). I believe by doing this, it will help me understand the intension of this class in a more effective and more thorough way.

1.      Integrate and build upon concepts, tools, information and knowledge from one of the BScAH majors, and apply them to practical problems and settings.

I do not believe in studying directly from books and that will do everything. I believe in practices which help me learn faster and more effective. I’d like to face different practical problems, and try my best figuring out solutions to deal with it. I enjoy the moment I solve the problem, not just the studying, remembering and regurgitating in exams.

2.      Gain an understanding of application of scientific method to key aspects of an industry; become familiar with the relevance of the health and well-being of animals through the analysis of real-life problems, issues or needs.

I understand the importance of analysis before solving any kinds of problems. To me, getting familiar with the analytic skills is the first thing I’d like to learn. With a good understanding of analytic skills, I believe that various types of problems can be solved. At least, I will know where to begin.

3.      Acquire new knowledge through teamwork, discovery, and experiential learning.

4.      Gain an understanding of key areas where public perception presents challenges and opportunities relating to animal health.

5.      Develop experience and understanding of professionalism and ethical conduct.

For the above three, they are the process of gaining experiences. I like the enhancement of experiences. Practice makes perfect. These three objectives fit into this saying very well. To me, no matter if it is preparation for a temporary job, or on the way pursuing a lifelong career, practice is the only thing that can make me feel confident when doing the work. I am happy to see these three objectives. I don’t know where these experiences will take me to yet, but I believe in its potential and it is definitely worth gaining.

6.      Improve oral and written communication skills

Last but not least, this objective is also my ultimate goal. I have been unbelievably weak in oral and written communication skills for years. I’m still struggling for coming up with a good way to improve these skills. I'm not sure if it is because English is not my first language, or it is simply I don't fit in the community well. As long as there is a solution, I'd like to give it a shot.

A semester is relatively short as in a year, but it is relatively long as if I want to get hands on any of goals above. This term is going to be different, I hope I can make some change!

*Course Objectives are cited from AnSc499 Syllabus Winter2012