Farm Raised Salmon

The topic I have chosen to discuss is the dangers of farm raised Salmon. Farm raised salmon have been fed a food mixture of canthaxanthin, a chemical fed to them to produce their natural pink color. This chemical is used to keep the fish from turning an unhealthy gray from the food that they are given on the farm, since they do not get the natural krill diet that they are meant to have. This chemical is mostly banned in Australia, due to its effect on the retina, a part in the eye vital to sight. What I found interesting, however, was that this same chemical is used in self tanning pills, an oral medication which darkens skin tone. These pills are banned in the United States, yet salmon raisers are allowed to give it to the fish we will eventually ingest? I guess my real question is, why would the FDA approve it for use in our food, but not in a medication that could possibly prevent skin cancer through tanning beds? This medication has proven successful in countries such as Canada, therefore using it in the United States should have the similar effect.
Tristan Meadows

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-846-CANTHAXANTHIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=846&activeIngredientName=CANTHAXANTHIN

rBGH and rBST in Dairy Production

The additive I chose to discuss is the dairy hormone combination rBGH and rBST. In the United States cows are injected with these hormones for the purpose of causing an increase in growth and milk production, while also keeping them healthier since they live in crammed spaces where diseases are easily transmittable. In addition to the original hormone injections, cows may also have reactions to the hormones, which result in the need for more antibiotics. This potentially leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may or may not end up in our diets. The issue that humans must deal with regarding the hormone injections is that the hormones remain in the milk we drink, which has been connected to various cancers.  As the European Union banned the use of hormones in dairy cows, experts said in an article discussing the decision, “The growth hormone increases the cow’s level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)… Women with breast cancer have high level of IGF-1.”  It frustrates me that rBGH and rBST are allowed to enter our food supply since scientists believe the hormones reach our table; if it is possible that the high levels of IGF-1 in women with breast cancer are due to the hormones in milk production, how are they sold legally? The reason is that milk production in the United States has a high enough demand that the producers must manufacture enough dairy products. This, combined with increased profits and satisfied corporations, leads to the “needed” use of hormones to increase milk production. Hopefully the United States will eventually follow other countries in the prohibition of hormones in dairy production resulting from the risk of cancer-causing hormones.

http://www.cmaj.ca/content/161/6/677.full

Colors and Dyes

The very colorful and dangerous food additive I’ve chosen is color and dyes.  Think twice before buying a box of mac and cheese or many types of kids cereals as they contain red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, and blue 2.  What’s the problem with these colors and dyes?  Maybe just a higher risk of developing cancer or birth defects, the reason why is because some of these dyes contain carcinogens.  Some well-known producers like Kraft change the contents for outside the U.S. consumers.  They use paprika extract, beetroot and annatto to get similar colors but these are much safer.  I cannot understand why the U.S. does not care but other countries have banned it like Norway and Austria.  The European Union has made requirements that food warning labels be placed on items containing these dyes.  Why can’t the U.S. follow in their footsteps and at least warn the general public?

Video on U.S. Kraft mac and cheese and U.K. mac and cheese

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lWQFKbI0dg

Food Bans- Arsenic

Arsenic

The edible item I’ve chosen to evaluate is arsenic. In America chickens are fed small steroid portions of arsenic to increase over weight of the poultry and also to keep it looking healthy. The problem with feeding the chickens is that people consume the chickens. It’s fascinating to me that people always wonder how they get cancer, yet we’re eating a known carcinogen any time we consume most chicken from commercialized farms. Other countries have banned the use of arsenic in chicken feed to keep it from getting into human food supply. A study done by John Hopkins has shown, “Chronic inorganic arsenic exposure has been shown to cause lung, bladder and skin cancers and has been associated with other conditions, as well, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cognitive deficits, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, at least 75% of Americans regularly eat chicken.” Overall, I find that the problem is tied to both consumer ignorance and company power. The companies selling chicken from commercialized farms don’t want to stop using the arsenic because their chickens wouldn’t look as healthy and their sales may go down. Still, the evidence in the Hopkins research makes it clear that arsenic in chicken feed is dangerous to consumer health.

Foods Banned in Other Countries, but Not in the U.S.

Visit this website: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/10-things-americans-eat-that-are-banned-elsewhere#1

Choose one of the foods/additives presented.  In your post, follow the "What?", "So What?", "Now What?" format to summarize and explain your viewpoints.  Please refer to the grading rubric for how your post will be graded.  If possible, find other articles/documents/websites to validate your viewpoints; include any outside sources as hyperlinks.  You may also add other features, such as photos or videos, to enhance your post.  Your post should be in your own words.

This is due Thursday, October 3, 2013 by 10:20 a.m.

Rebecca Mullins - Intro

Hi!  I'm Rebecca Mullins and this post is a little late but hopefully that's okay. :)  I grew up in South Florida and moved to the Valley when I was in sixth grade.  I go to Turner Ashby High School now, and I'm on the academic team as well as the forensics team.  I act in my school's musicals and spring shows, and I love to draw and paint.  I'm in choir, and I sing quite a bit.  Academically, my passion has always been in the field of biology.  Hopefully I can study biomedical engineering when I go to college!  I'm a little bit weird, but gov school seems to be the perfect fit for me because of it.
I think this blog is pretty cool, technology-wise.  Honestly, I'm open to any sort of technological teaching style you plan on using this year.

Mrs. Bates, Intro

Hi S2s!  What a great year we're going to have!  Since you all posted introductions, I thought it would only be fair if I did the same.  So here we go...

This is the 6th year I've been at MRGS, and I absolutely love it (in case you couldn't tell)!  Before that, I was the Conservation Education Specialist at the Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District.  I live, eat, breath, and sleep this stuff...but you could probably tell that!

I enjoy kayaking and canoeing, hiking, and cooking.  Even though my husband and I don't have any children together, my step son is your age - he is a senior in high school - YIKES!  He lives in Ohio, but he stays with us over the summer and during breaks from school.  So in lieu of human children, we have furry, 4-legged children - 2 dogs and 2 cats.  I started a blog about our critters over the summer (our2goldens.wordpress.com), but since school's started, I've gotten behind in posting pictures.  But here are just a few so you can see them:

Lucky (left) and Molly (right) - we adopted both through the Golden Retriever Rescue organization for Virginia (www.grreat.org).

 

Stormie (she was a feral barn cat that adopted me last year)

 

Roadie (he adopted me when my husband and I were passing through Kentucky 9 years ago!)

Here's something you or may not know...I am a certified SCUBA diver, and one day, I'd like to earn the certification of Master Diver.  

This is going to be a great year!

intro

Hello! My name is Virginia Kibler. I am a senior at East Rockingham highschool. I spin colorguard and winterguard, throw shot put and discus, play with the symphonic band(trumpet), SCA President, NHS treasurer, potential SHS president, and  future mental patient. I am very excited for the blog and I hope to learn how to use GIS more. I am applying to Virginia Tech to be a cow doctor!

Introduction

Hello! I'm Ali Singleton and I am a senior at Stonewall Jackson High School. I play volleyball and soccer and I love to sing. I really want to be a veterinarian, so I am applying to Virginia Tech. Ultimately I would like to own a dog adoption ranch. This year I would like to learn more about GIS.

Tristan Meadows
East Rockingham-S2

My name is Tristan Meadows and I go to East Rockingham High school. I am going to Bridgewater college and I am a die hard Giants fan. I do debate at East Rock and I love it. This year I would like to use more of the GPS technology, I feel like one day just wasn't enough.

Intro

Hello everyone! My name is Terius Grandison. I go to Luray High School. Sports are my passion. During my high school career, I have played football, basketball, and soccer; however my favorite is basketball. I enjoy going all out and playing hard. I love DC and Marvel heroes. I was in band for six years (percussionist), but when I hit my junior year there I no longer had room for it in my schedule. I am glad that I was accepted to Gov's School because I have had the opportunity to meet incredible people. This year, I would love to use a GPS again because it was a lot of fun. Also, I would love to do some stuff with some type of movie maker software.

Rafael Snell-Feikema - Introduction

Hello, all. My name is Rafael Snell-Feikema and I am a senior at Harrisonburg High School. Normally, my extracuricular pursuits consist of playing the cello and spewing nonsense words out of my mouth at a speed far past anything that could be considered real intellectual conversation, otherwise known as policy debate. I'm also a co-editor-in-chief of the online section of HHS's newspaper, the Newsstreak. This year, however, I am involved in the abnormal extracurricular pursuit of living in Spain for a quarter, as you have probably gathered from my absence. Don't envy me for skipping school, however, as I am doing all eight of my classes from Spain as well as an intensive language course and a Spanish civilization and culture class. Do envy me for getting to be in Europe. This year, I should like to learn more about GIS and GPS mapping in general. It seems like a very useful and interesting tool. Thanks.

Brittany Goldman-Intro

Hey there fellow S2s! I'm Brittany Goldman, I'm a senior at Stonewall Jackson High School. You probably already know but I have a hearing loss so I wear hearing aids in both ears. I actually just got a brand new pair so if I'm wearing a weird controller around my neck, it's because it controls the volume or streams my music from my phone through them. I play soccer in the spring as well. This year I would like to work with excel because I'm always really confused when I try to use it. I also think this blog is a great tool because it's easy to use and could help boost my grade if needed. I also won't have to worry about loosing any papers.

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Allison Botkin and I attend Broadway High School. Playing volleyball and soccer take up a majority of my free time. I am involved in NHS, ACES, and WLHS at my home school. I would also like to point out that coming to MRGS is one of the best decisions I've ever made! This year I would like to learn more about Microsoft Excel. I know the general ways of how to operate Excel but I would like to learn how to do more complex things on this program. I also think it would be a very useful tool to use this year and in the future!

Kaitlyn Smith - Intro

Hey guys!  My name is Kaitlyn Smith and I am a senior at Luray High School.  I am working hard in order to earn my associates degree by the time I graduate, so this year is going to be tough.  I would really like to learn more about how to use Microsoft Excel because although I know the basics, I would really like to learn how to actually use the program.

Emily Berg - Introduction

My name is Emily Berg, and as many of you already know, I attend Spotswood High School. Generally, people should know two things about me: I am completely obsessed with soccer and anything Virginia Tech. In the future I hope to attend Virginia Tech as an environmental engineering major. This year I hope to use Microsoft Excel more often since I have not used it very much in the past. It is a great tool to have the ability to use, and I hope to gain more knowledge about it this year. I'm looking forward to a great last year of public school with you all!

Amy Wells - Introduction

Ello! My name is Amy Wells and I am a senior at Strasburg High School. Ways that define and describe me include the following: aspiring actress, motion picture enthusiast, Judy Garland worshiper, and a young admire of anything vintage. At my home school I am involved in many different clubs and groups such as the National Honor Society, Key Club, and my personal favorite, One-Act. In the near future, I would like to major in theater while in college and become a successful actress whether on stage or on screen.

This year I would like to become more experienced in using Excel, as well as Google Docs. In the past, I have tried to find ways around having to use both of these programs. However, I think that it would benefit me more this year to become familiar with them.

~Amy Wells

Introduction

Well hello. I'm Amanda Dotson and I attend Stonewall Jackson High School. I'm the captian of the varsity competition team as on an All-Star cheerleading team in Verona. I like to run even though it really sucks sometimes. I'd really like to work more with Google Docs as someone else mentioned. I know this isn't a large aspect to this class, however, I think it would make our classes and group projects easier and better. This is also a good tool because I often forget my flashdrive (oooppps..)
-Amanda Dotson

Hi! I'm Neil Mehta, and I go to Harrisonburg High School. I enjoy math and sciences, and I want to apply to Cornell and UVA this fall (I haven't decided yet!). I play tennis and am part of the debate team back at HHS. I want to learn how to use GIS in more ways; I am really intrigued with how information can be relayed over a map.
Can't wait to work with you all!
~Neil

My name is Jennifer Horner, I attend Spotswood High School. You should know that I am currently taking 8 AP/Dual classes, so if I ever seem extremely stressed out, that is why. Also, I am applying to William and Mary for college and hope to be accepted by the first week of December. This year I hope to practice using excel and other graph making applications. I feel that I haven't worked with them enough and would like to become more well versed in graph making (so that I don't always have to ask Caleb :).

Jenny Horner

Morgan Carter - Introduction

   My name is Morgan Carter, and I am a senior at Strasburg High School. At my home school I enjoy being involved in NHS, Key Club, and the Radio Astronomy and Pulsar Search Team. Outside of class, I like to run for Strasburg's Varsity Girls Cross-Country Team, volunteer at the local Community Library, and spend time with my family at the movies!

   New types of technology that I would like to learn more about this year, include Microsoft Excel and Google Docs. Being able to create graphs, spreadsheets, and manage different data in Excel will be extremely helpful, both at MRGS and later on. Also, I have never really had the chance to explore Google Docs, even though I know it is a great resource for collaboration. 

   I look forward to discussing new topics and solving new problems in Agro-Ecology II this year!

Ian Mongold - Introduction

My name is Ian Mongold and I am a senior at Page County High School.  I live and work on a farm that has been in my family for six generations.  I am a hard core New England Patriots fan and I enjoy playing soccer.  For this year, I would like to have another GPS quiz and make it a serious competition.

Isabelle Sharman - Introduction

     My name is Isabelle Sharman and I am a Senior at Stonewall Jackson High School. The most important things for you to know about me are that I'm borderline obsessively organized, ski racing is my life, and I'm half-British. Of course, most people probably knew that already! This year I would really love to learn a bit more about GIS systems. I feel that GIS can be used in many ways and that we were unfortunately only able to experiment with it for one or two days last year.

Introduce Yourself

For your first blog entry, please introduce yourself; be sure to include what we should know about you as well as your home school.  Also, please answer this: What type(s) of technology would you like to use this year and why?

To begin, click on "New Post" in the upper right corner of the screen - please type "Your Name - Introduction" as the post title (that will help keep things somewhat organized).

DUE: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 by 7:45 a.m.