The Media Freedom Foundation » impact

British Petroleum Returns to Drill in Gulf of Mexico

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:14:29 +0000

The Obama Administration has granted authorization for British Petroleum (BP) to drill in the Gulf of Mexico despite the uncertain and incomplete clean up of the biggest oil spill in US history occurring in April 2010. Presently over 25,000 abandoned oil wells exist in the Gulf, some that have been there since the early 1940s. Temporarily and permanently abandoned wells cause a major concern for the environment because they release toxins, oil and greenhouse gases. Environmental organizations such as Oceana object to permission granted BP because of the potentially major environmental impact such wells possess. However, the government and oil companies have apparently been ignoring this issue for several years. Further, BP still has not finished paying cleanup workers who have exerted their time and energy in cleaning up the April 2010 spill.
Sources:

Article Title: BP Acquires Permission to Drill among 28,000 Abandoned Wells in the Gulf of Mexico: “Stage Two” of the BP Gulf of Mexico Environmental Disaster, Centre of Research on Globalization, Food Freedom.wordpress.com, October 24, 2011
Author: Rady Ananda
URL: http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/bp-28000-unmonitored-abandoned-wells-gulf/

Student Researcher: Camila Rocha Lima, Florida Atlantic University

Faculty Advisor: James F. Tracy, Florida Atlantic UniversitySimilar Posts:

Are Genetically Modified Chickens on the Dinner Table?

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:09:10 +0000

British scientists have developed genetically altered chickens that reportedly do not transmit bird flu to other chickens. Yet these chickens may still contract the sickness themselves. Yet by tampering with the DNA of the chicken, the safety of its meat for human consumption is called into question. The scientific literature remains mute on whether GM chickens will appear on your dinner table — or if they already have.
To stop the spread of the virus, scientists spliced a gene into the chicken’s DNA that produces a “decoy” molecule mimicking a central element of the bird flu virus. The decoy obstructs duplication of the virus, thus curbing transmission. With the success of the first GM chicken, scientists are now considering modification of the rest of the food chain. Indeed, researchers have pondered the creation of an array of disease free, genetically modified animals. Still, many scientists harbor reservations toward such research. For example, Peter Bradnock of The British Poultry Council says that more research is needed to understand the long-term health impact of such practices. “We have to have a big debate as to whether society wants to have GM animals even for this very good potential benefit,” he told BBC News.

In fact, compelling scientific studies have already revealed the impact of human health from consuming generically modified organisms. Numerous studies, including an important paper published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences, have established the hazards of ingesting GM ingredients. The researchers discovered that the organs that typically react to chemical food poisoning were the first to face problems after research subjects ate GM foods. The researchers urged that GM foods not be openly available on supermarket shelves.

Sources:

Article Title: GM Chicken – Scientists Create Flu-Resistant Chickens That May End Up On Your Dinner Table,” NaturalNews.com, February 13, 2011
Author: Anthony Gucciard
URL: http://www.naturalnews.com/031310_GM_chicken_bird_flu.html

Article Title: GM Chickens Created That Could Prevent the Spread of Bird Flu, January 13, 2011, UK Guardian
Author: Alok Jha
URL: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/jan/13/gm-chickens-bird-flu-influenza

Article Title: Organic Chickens Are Genetically different from conventional chickens,” February 18, 2010, NaturalNews.com
Author: Ethan Huff
URL: http://www.naturalnews.com/028188_organic_chickens_genetics.html
Student Researcher: Lamise Mansur, Florida Atlantic University
Faculty Advisor: James F. Tracy, Florida Atlantic UniversitySimilar Posts:

Study Links Parkinson’s Disease To Industrial Solvent

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:48:23 +0000

Researchers found a six-fold increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s in individuals exposed in the workplace to trichloroethylene (TCE). Although many uses for TCE have been banned around the world, the chemical is still used as a degreasing agent. Parkinson’s can result in limb tremors, slowed movement and speech impairment, but the exact cause of the disease is still unknown, and there is no cure.

Researchers from institutes in the US, Canada, Germany and Argentina, wanted to examine the impact of solvent exposure – specifically six solvents including TCE. They looked at 99 sets of twins, one twin with Parkinson’s, the other without. The findings are presented as the first study to report a “significant association” between TCE exposure and Parkinson’s and suggest exposure to the solvent was likely to result in a six-fold increase in the chances of developing the disease. “Our findings, as well as prior case reports, suggest a lag time of up to 40 years between TCE exposure and onset of Parkinson’s, providing a critical window of opportunity to potentially slow the disease before clinical symptoms appear.”

TCE has been used in paints, glue, carpet cleaners, dry-cleaning solutions and as a degreaser. It has been banned in the food and pharmaceutical industries in most regions of the world since the 1970s, due to concerns over its toxicity. In 1997, the US authorities banned its use as an anesthetic, skin disinfectant, grain fumigant and coffee decaffeinating agent, but it is still used as a degreasing agent for metal parts. Groundwater contamination by TCE is widespread, with studies estimating up to 30% of US drinking water supplies are contaminated with TCE.

Article Title: Study links Parkinson’s disease to industrial solvent
Author: Neil Bowdler
Publication source: BBC News, November 13, 2011
URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15639440

Student Researcher: Sara Iadavaia, Sonoma State University
Faculty Evaluator: Forrest Deseran Sonoma State University

Similar Posts:

Fathers Increased Risk of Experiencing Post-Natal Depression

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:10:33 +0000

One out of every seven new mothers has post-natal depression; however, according to the Fatherhood Institute, one out of every ten fathers are depressed both before and after their baby is born.

Fathers experience post-natal depression because they tend to feel excluded and left out. The men are miserable because their partners aren’t paying enough attention to them, hormones, lack of sleep, increased responsibility, and perhaps their wife is also depressed. Fatherhood is a stressful life event that impacts fathers immensely and leaves many in shock. Like women, they can struggle with the rapid and huge life changes a baby brings.

Moreover, men with depression get mad, while women get sad. Drinking too much, self-medicating and having affairs can all be signs of fathers with depression. Currently, the fathers are not invited to the ante-natal appointments. When the pregnancy is confirmed the GP should invite both the mother and father to come in, this would help the father feel more included and could potentially help ease the depression. Research also indicates children are at increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems in families where fathers are depressed soon after the birth, the impact can be traced up to the age of 11. The key is to access support at the earliest available opportunity. Counseling, psychotherapy, cranial osteopathy, massage and reflexology are all seen as potentially therapeutic, as well as resting, eating properly and writing down feelings in a journal.

Article Title: Why Fathers Have Post-Natal Depression

Sources: “Why Fathers Have Post-Natal Depression” Philippa Roxby, May 27, 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13454471

Student Name: Brenda Montanez, Sonoma State University

Evaluator: Erin Sullivan, PHD. Napa Valley CollegeSimilar Posts:

Powerful Interests Behind Alliance of Youth Movements

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:12:29 +0000

The Alliance of Youth Movements mission statement claims it is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping grassroots activists to build their capacity and make a greater impact on the world. Upon examining those involved in “Movements.org,” a dark agenda is revealed of such reprehensible intent. Movement.org’s “team” includes Co-Founder Jared Cohen, a CFR member, Director of Google Ideas, and a former State Department planning staff member under both Condoleezza Rice and Hilary Clinton. Founding Movements.org with Cohen is Jason Liebman of Howcast Media which works with mega-corporate conglomerates like Proctor & Gamble, Kodak, Staples, Ford, and government agencies such as the US State Department and the US Defense Department, to create “custom branded entertainment, innovative social media, and targeted rich-media campaigns.” He was also with Google for 4 years where he worked to partner with Time Warner, Fox News, Viacom, Warner Music, Sony Pictures, Reuters, the New York Times, and the Washington Post Company.

While the activists attending the Movements.org summit adhere to the philosophies of “left-leaning” liberalism, the very men behind the summit, funding it, and prodding the agenda of these activists are America’s mega-corporate combine. These are the very big-businesses that have violated human rights worldwide, destroyed the environment, sell shoddy, overseas manufactured goods produced by workers living in slave conditions, and pursue an agenda of greed and perpetual expansion at any cost. The hypocrisy is astounding unless of course you understand that their disreputable, self-serving agenda could only be accomplished under the guise of genuine concern for humanity, buried under mountains of feel-good rhetoric, and helped along by an army of exploited, naive youth. What we see is not a foundation from which all activists can work from, but a foundation that has a very selective group of activists working on “problem spots” the US State Department would like to see “changed.” Wherever protesters and movements are working to undermine governments non-conducive to corporate America’s agenda, you will find Movements.org supporting their efforts.

Title: Google’s Revolution Factory- Alliance of Youth Movements: Color Revolution 2.0
Author: Tony Cartalucci
Faculty Evaluator: Elaine Wellin
Source: HYPERLINK “http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23283″ http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23283

Student Researcher: Chante Noel, Sonoma State University
Faculty Evaluator: Elaine Wellin, Sonoma State UniversitySimilar Posts:

Create a State Bank: Novel Solution to the Budget Crisis

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:01:38 +0000

States across the nation are in debt and needing to make drastic spending cuts, as well as hiking taxes, as well as privatizing public assets and some are discussing bankruptcy. However, if we look to one of the more financially secure States in the country we may find an easier solution.

North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. In 2009, when other states were floundering it had its largest budget surplus. Currently, it has the only public-owned bank in the nation, and has a 92 year history of safe, secure, and highly profitable transactions. The Bank of North Dakota allows the state to keep its money local, flowing into the state treasury and local economy.

Eight other states have bills pending to form their own state-owned bank or to conduct studies that would determine their potential: Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, Hawaii, and Louisiana. Washington and Oregon have already commissioned a detailed analysis which concluded in both states, a state/public bank would have a substantial positive impact on employment, new lending, and state and local government revenue.

“A Choice for States: Banks, Not Budget Crises”, Ellen Brown, Yes! Magazine, March 25, 2011. HYPERLINK “http://www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/a-choice-for-states-banks-not-budget-crises” www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/a-choice-for-states-banks-not-budget-crises

“Washington State Joins the Movement for Public Banking”, Ellen Brown, Yes! Magazine, January 24, 2011. HYPERLINK “http://www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/washington-state-joins-movement-for-public-banking” www.yesmagazine.org/new-economy/washington-state-joins-movement-for-public-banking

Student Researcher: Allison Gill, San Francisco State University

Faculty Evaluator: Kenn Burrows, San Francisco State UniversitySimilar Posts:

US Agencies Trying to Outlaw GMO Food Labeling

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:57:20 +0000

There is growing concern over the health impact of growing and eating genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The World Health Organization has identified allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, gene transfer, outcrossing, GM genes introduced into the wild population, gene stability, susceptibility of non-target organisms (insects), and loss of biodiversity as potential issues of using GM seeds.

Currently, most health studies are done by GM companies who have a natural conflict of interest that can lead to biased research or reporting. Many countries such as Japan, Australia, China, and the European Union recognize the possible risks and require mandatory labeling for products made with GMOs. There is a growing call for more comprehensive, independent research.

However, the official position of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) is: there is no difference between GMOs and non-GMOs. These agencies have also proposed to the CODEX Alimentarius Committee (UN Food and Agriculture), that no country should be able to require mandatory GMO labeling on food items. The FDA and USDA say that mandatory labeling of GMOs is “false, misleading, and deceptive, implying there is a difference between GMO and non-GMO ingredients. Ultimately, the FDA and USDA want to do away with product labeling standards over-all, trusting corporations to keep necessary health standards.

Sources:
“GMO Alert: U.S. Attempting Global Censorship of GMO Food Labeling”
Mike Adams, Natural News, May 4, 2010
HYPERLINK “http://www.naturalnews.com/z028716_GMOs_food_labels.html” http://www.naturalnews.com/z028716_GMOs_food_labels.html

“US opposes honest labeling of GMO foods”
Ethan A. Huff, Natural News, July 9, 2010
HYPERLINK “http://www.naturalnews.com/z029168_GMO_foods_labeling.html” http://www.naturalnews.com/z029168_GMO_foods_labeling.html

“GE Food”, The Center for Food Safety, March 25, 2011
HYPERLINK “http://truefoodnow.org/campaigns/genetically-engineered-foods” http://truefoodnow.org/campaigns/genetically-engineered-foods

“WHO 20 Questions on Genetically Modified Foods”
World Health Organization, April 1, 2011
HYPERLINK “http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en” http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/biotech/20questions/en

Student Researcher: Brittney White, San Francisco State University

Faculty Researcher: Kenn Burrows, San Francisco State UniversitySimilar Posts:

Salmon Are Losing Distinct Genetic Characteristics

admin — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 02:25:26 +0000

The distinct genetic characteristics of salmon populations in Spain are being lost as a result of climate change and human interference. Losing distinct genetic characteristics means potentially losing salmon altogether in areas like Spain. One major hypothesis describing why this is occurring is humans have caused straying fish (foreign fish invading areas where salmon naturally reside). In 1992, there were an abundance of “foreign” fish being introduced to the river systems. Despite the practice being stopped, there continued to be a high number of “straying fish.” This was the beginning of a major loss of distinct genetic characteristics of Atlantic salmon in Spain.

Another impact that is also causing disruption is increased water temperature, which has been recently linked to an increase in fish straying between rivers. The influence of changes to water temperature has become increasingly important, as the loss of salmon will affect the health of bodies of water tremendously.

Title: Salmon ‘losing distinct genetic characteristics’

Author: Mark Kinver

Publication Source: BBC News

Date: October 14, 2010

URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11525087

Student Researcher: Katherine Ross, Sonoma State University

Faculty Evaluator: Professor Caroline Christian, Sonoma State UniversitySimilar Posts:

Internet’s Expanding Carbon Footprint

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:35:30 +0000

The internet’s increasing appetite for electricity poses a major threat to not only companies such as google and the future of internet use, but is also having a negative impact on the environment. “In an energy constrained world, we cannot continue to grow the footprint of the internet…we need to rein in the energy consumption” (Suodh Bata, Vice President at Sun Microsystems). With more than 1.5 billion people online around the world, scientists estimate that the energy footprint of the net is growing by more than 10% each year. This leaves many internet companies in a bind: energy costs are escalating because of increasing popularity, while at the same time advertising revenues come under pressure from the recession. Thisdouble bind poses a problem for internet companies affording enough energy to meet consumer demand; and while the demand for electricity is a primary concern, a secondary issue as a result of the explosion of internet use, is the computer industry’s carbon debt, which is increasing drastically. From having a relatively small impact just a few years ago, it is now leapfrogging other sectors like the airline industry that are more widely known for their negative environmental impact. It is apparent, that the demand for internet access far exceeds the readily available amount of energy available.

Title: Web Providers Must Limit Internet’s Carbon Footprint, Say Experts”

Author Bobbie Johnson,

Source: San Francisco Guardian News Media Limited. May 3, 2009

http://guardian.co.Ku

Student Researcher: Anne Cozza

Faculty Evaluator: Buzz Kellogg
Sonoma State UniversitySimilar Posts: