Stool to Cool

Since ancient times, manure from horses and cattle acted as a fertilizer when applied to crops, encouraging microbial activity and helping to retain moisture and mineral content. With the advent of biosolids becoming legalized in the United States in 1993, its use has been a debated topic among environmentalists and politicians alike. But what exactly are biosolids?

Above: Biosolids. It's pretty much the same as soil on a macroscopic level.

Biosolids as defined by the waste water industry, is a by-product of sewage and water treatment plants. It comes in various shapes and sizes, including blocks, pellets, and an aqueous solution. Unlike its name suggests, biosolids are not composed of human waste alone. Thousands of bacteria and microorganisms call biosolids their home, and not all of these are probiotic. In a study done by the United States of America in 2004, among 48 people who were surveyed, half of them were infected with various diseases, and a quarter of them were infected by staphylococcus aureus, a deadly bacteria that produces toxins known to cause hypertension, rash, and in extreme cases, multiple organ failure and death. This was exactly the outcome of 2 out of 48 people studied; they died from S. aureus.

Biological wastes aren't the only substances found in biosolids. Dissolved within the treated feces are heavy metal atoms, cadmium and copper to name a few. Some of these metals, such as copper, zinc, and nickel, are thought to have positive effects on plant growth, while others, such as mercury and arsenic, negatively affect plant growth. Luckily, the metals that are hazardous to plant life are in extremely tiny amounts, and do not have a noticeable effect on plant growth and germination, never mind humans.

Students at the University of Arizona published a paper regarding the effects of biosolids in the Arizonian environment. The paper states that "... land application of Class B biosolids had no significant long term effect on soil pH and CaCO₃." and goes on to say that "biosolids can provide much needed nutrients, and organic matter to these barren materials, increasing microbial activity and nutrient cycling for sustained plant growth."

With time, pressure, and a lot of care, even a piece of black coal can turn into a sparkling diamond. I believe that over time, as technology advances, we can eliminate further disasters like that in 2004. Managing biosolids will only get easier with time, and since it contributes positively to plant growth, I do not see why a restriction should be placed on these. After all, animal and plant wastes are returned to the earth in nature; why can't human waste do the same?


Sources

Artiola, Janick F. "Biosolid Land Use in Arizona." The University of Arizona.
     N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2011. <http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/consumer/
     az1426.pdf>.

"Biosolids and Composting FAQ." Sylvis. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2011.      <http://www.compost.org/Biosolids_Composting_FAQ.pdf>.

"Municipal Residuals Management & Biosolids Reduction." Siemens. N.p., n.d. Web.
     9 June 2011. <http://www.water.siemens.com/en/municipal/biosolids/Pages/
     default.aspx>.

"Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge." United States Code of
     Federal Regulations. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2011.
     <http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/julqtr/40cfr503.13.htm>.

"Water: Sewage Sludge (Biosolids)." United States Environmental Protection
     Agency. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2011. <http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/
     wastewater/treatment/biosolids/index.cfm>. 


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The Devil's Playground

A child's envision of a cow, happily munching on grass.

I was taught in kindergarten that cattle graze peacefully in the hillside, and pigs roll lazily in the mud all day long. As I innocently gazed at the picture books, I longed to be with them, enjoying every day of my youth. Many years later, my childhood dream was shattered as I learned about the harshness of reality. In the world of business where no stone ever gets unturned, multibillion dollar corporations rule the agricultural industry with an iron fist. Humans are exploring the many realms of what is today's agricultural system, and among the most debated issues is the choice between sustainable agriculture and industrial agriculture.

Cows in reality. Where is the grass?

Sustainable agriculture is the practice of farming characterized by a diversity of plants and animals, and as such, the integration of crops and livestock in one system. Not only are the welfare of the cultivated goods compromised, but the workers and well-being of the environment is also held into consideration. This method of farming produces fewer, but higher quality products than products of their industrial counterpart.

Industrial agriculture is the practice of farming characterized by a factory-like system of crop production; primary emphasis on speed, quantity, and profit; specialization in select high-profit crops; and the segregation of crops and livestock from nature. Workers are often treated with the same type of disrespect as animals, and the surrounding environments are periodically flooded with hazardous runoffs.

To make things worse, the food industry hides many inner details of industrial agriculture from the general public and works with the media to keep the image of their products clean. One of the many myths about industrial agriculture is that it is the only way to produce enough food to supply the whole world. One must take a step back and ask: If that were the case, wouldn’t world hunger and malnutrition be solved by now? Simple deduction brings us to the conclusion that industrial agriculture has done little to relieve these problems.

How is it reasonable that one farm can produce so much food and still not feed enough people?

In fact, industrial agriculture contributes more towards world hunger. In a last ditch effort to keep up with cheap first-world crop prices, farmers in third-world countries have to buy first-world technologies in return for a little to no net profit. How is it that the US is able to keep its multibillion dollar corporations up and running? Would it surprise you to know that governments secretly subsidize the agricultural industry billions of dollars every year? Between 1996 and 2005, the US provided industrial agriculture sector with 177 billion taxpayer dollars. That’s right, our ‘cheap’ food is actually subsidized with our own money, making it equal if not more expensive than food from sustainable agriculture.

I am all for sustainable agriculture.

Humans have been capable of wondrous deeds in the past, such as conquering smallpox and polio, and even the hole in the ozone, which was thought to be an irreparable task, was fixed. I have faith that humanity would come together once again to undo the injustices that industrial agriculture bring.


Sources

Cohen, Benjamin. “ Industrial Agriculture v. Sustainable Agriculture.” ScienceBlogs. N.p., 12 May 2009. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://scienceblogs.com/‌worldsfair/‌2009/‌05/‌industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php>.

“Definition of the Term ‘Sustainable Agriculture.’” Ecological Agricultural Products. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://eap.mcgill.ca/‌sustain.htm>.

“Earth.” New Internationalist Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.newint.org/‌features/‌2005/‌05/‌01/‌earth/>.

“Economics.” Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/‌issues/‌economics/>.

“ Economic Sustainability: Reforming Production.” Greener News. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://greenernewsblog.com/>.

“Factory Farming.” Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/‌issues/‌factoryfarming/>.

“ Good Trans Fats vs Bad Trans Fats.” Firm - Thighs and Butts. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.firmthighsandbutt.com/‌fat-and-weight-loss/‌good-trans-fats-vs-bad-trans-fats/>.

“THE MYTH: Industrial agriculture will feed the world.” Keep Maine Free. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.keepmainefree.org/‌myth6.html>.

“This or That? Pass!” Science - Sealed, Delivered. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.thinknew.ca/‌ssd/‌index.php/‌2009/‌05/‌13/‌this-or-that-pass/>.

“What is Sustainable Agriculture?” Sustainable Table. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/‌intro/‌whatis/>.

“What is Sustainable Agriculture?” UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. <http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/‌concept.htm>.

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Insert Token to Begin Baby

A couple decades ago, the genders of babies were randomized; no one gender was favoured over the other in conception. It is now 2011, and not only can genders be predetermined, but also a wide range of attributes can be fixated, such as adult height, hair and eye colour. Want your future child to have luscious auburn hair and perfect tawny eyes? With the advent of IVF, or in vitro fertilization, parents now have access to the software to play SimBaby.

Now loading: Skinmap

IVF is a procedure first introduced in 1978 when Louise Joy Brown was born. In vitro, Latin for “within glass,” means that conception is carried outside of the body. It is as a last-resort for biologically unable couples to achieve pregnancy status. Originally developed for early diagnosis and treatment of otherwise fatal conditions, it is now offered at select hospitals across the country to choose their children’s gender, hair colour, and more recently in Australia, intelligence quotient. At the heart of such a procedure, one begs to ask: is this morally right or not?

At first thought, most people would shake their heads in dismay. But upon further inspection, designer babies aren’t just about the physical self. Many unwanted conditions can be removed with proper use of IVF; just the thought of having a child without serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis or Kleinfelter syndrome lightens parents’ burdens. As well as altering genetic information, it may be possible for IVF to selectively choose characteristics that positively contribute to the baby’s IQ. According to a study done by Oxford University ethicists Andres Sandberg and Nick Bostrom, a 3% increase in average global IQ correlates to a 25% drop in poverty rates, a 25% decline in the number of males in jails, and an 18% decline of welfare dependence. Selective conception may not only benefit the individual, but its efforts may be for the betterment of society.

Success rates of IVF in 2009. Note that success declines greatly with age.

However, there are downsides to IVF as well. The average IVF procedure costs around $12,000 USD, which is a steep amount for many couples. Also, with such complicated procedures there are risks, and with the current advances in IVF, there is roughly only a 46.4% chance that the baby will be born. This relatively low birth rate means that on average, a couple will have to undergo IVF treatment twice for a successful childbirth. The already expensive price continues to skyrocket, leaving a noticeable gap between the rich and the poor. One particular issue that will be challenged will be gender skews. Already, countries like China and India favour males over females, and selective genders will only tip the scales even more. The ability to design humans with favourable superficial features is a great power to hold, but with great power comes great responsibility.

I can see our child hopping from thread to thread to get to school...

The difficulty that humanity meets in the future is allow IVF for an affordable price so there will not be segregation among the rich and the poor. Only then can IVF be truly justified.



Sources:


Bjerklie, David. "Designer Babies." Time. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989987,00.html>. 

 "The Cost of Infertility Treatment." Resolve: The National Infertility
     Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://infertility.about.com/od/ivf/f/ivf_cost.htm>. 


 "Don't miss your chance to star as Spider-Man or Mary Jane on Broadway."
     Blastr. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011. <http://blastr.com/2009/04/
     dont-miss-your-chance-to.php>. 

 "In Vitro Fertilization." eMedicine Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://www.emedicinehealth.com/in_vitro_fertilization/article_em.htm>.

"In vitro fertilization (IVF)." MedlinePlus. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007279.htm>.
 
Keim, Brandon. "Designer Babies: A Right to Choose?" Wired Science. N.p., n.d.
     Web. 14 Feb. 2011. <http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/
     designerdebate/>. 

"Now 'designer babies' with high IQ advocated." Emirates 24:7. N.p., n.d. Web.
     14 Feb. 2011. <http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/
     now-designer-babies-with-high-iq-advocated-2011-02-14-1.355867>. 


Sandberg, Anders. " Journals by Anders Sandberg." Future of Humanity Institute -
     University of Oxford. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/documents/journal_publications/al/
     anders_saunders>. 
 
"Success Rates." Regional Fertility Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
     <http://www.regionalfertilityprogram.ca/success.php>. 



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Wings of Liberty - Bully the Bullies

Characteristics of a brown tree snake, one of the invasive species in Guam.

How would you feel if you were baited with drugged food? To the brown tree snake, known scientifically as Boiga irregularis, this would mean certain death. Native to the northern and eastern coasts of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and miscellaneous Pacific islands, this species has made its way onto foreign regions, the most serious of outbreaks in Guam. With the overabundance of prey and a lack of natural predators in Guam, Brown tree snakes reached unprecedented numbers, and grew from the norm of six feet in its native land to over ten feet in Guam, causing countless problems for the country.¹

The brown tree snake is one of the primary threats to Guam's biodiversity. Massive ecological damage has been done to the island's bird populations, bringing 10 of the 12 native species to extinction and severely reducing the numbers of the other two.² Significant changes enveloped the forests as the few surviving birds flocked to more urbanized areas. With the declination of birds, there were less predators for insects, so they rapidly grew in numbers and overfed on agricultural and native plant species. Another consequence with the disappearance of the birds was that plants that relied on seed dispersal and pollination were overtaken by other species, narrowing the composition of the forest. A natural disaster would easily overwhelm the vegetation due to the lack of biodiversity in the region.

A general trend in the data is that the size of the brown tree snake population is directly proportional to the number of electrical outages in Guam. If left unattended, the frequency and intensity of damage done by brown tree snakes would increase.

Until now, brown tree snakes have posed a serious threat to Guam's ecosystem, damaging both animals and plants alike.³ Subsidized by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Interior, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services have developed a method to combat the overwhelming invasive population. By injecting dead mice with 80 milligrams of concentrated acetaminophen, a drug found in Tylenol that helps relieve fevers and pains, it effectively alters them into biological landmines for brown tree snakes. It usually takes about 60 hours for the drug to kill an adult brown tree snake, during which it plays out its role, which is to upset the ability for the snakes' blood to carry oxygen.⁴ The laced mice are loaded on a plane and released over the infested area. From the time of deployment to the time of ingestion, the mice are hooked up to a mechanism designed to tangle within the upper branches of the trees, out of harm's way for nontarget species, but within reaches for the snakes.

Even with all these seemingly cunning ways of eliminating brown tree snakes, at best the efforts will only control the population. Haldre Rogers, a biologist at the University of Washington, says, "It's another arrow in our quiver... Unfortunately, we don't have the silver bullet for Brown tree snakes yet." In the future, researchers at USDA hope to develop a non-biological alternative, as the current model attracts decomposers and unwanted pests. However, as researching and testing biocontrols is budget-heavy, it may be awhile before Guam's biodiversity fully recovers from the terrible terrible damage that brown tree snakes brought upon the island.



Sources:

● "Snake Plague on Guam Impacts Trees." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 25
     Sept. 2010. <http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/
     2008/08/snake-plague-on-guam-impacts-t.html>.


●"Spotlight On An Invasive Species: The Brown Tree Snake and Its Devastation of
     Guam." Bright Hub. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
     <http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/
     41526.aspx?p=2>.


● "The Brown Tree Snake." United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and
     Plant Health Inspection Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2010.
     <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_wsbtsnake.html>.


● Than, Ker. "Drug-filled Mice Airdropped Over Guam to Kill Snakes." National
     Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2010.
     <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/
     100924-science-animals-guam-brown-tree-snakes-mouse-tylenol/>.


● "The Brown Treesnake." US Geological Survey. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
     <http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/resources/education/bts/bioeco/btsnake.asp>


● "Electrical Problems Caused by the Brown Treesnake." US Geological Survey. N.p.,
     n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://www.fort.usgs.gov/resources/education/
     bts/impacts/electrical.asp>.

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