Diana Wall addresses American Academy of Arts and Sciences
University Distinguished Professor Diana Wall was one of five featured speakers at the induction of this year's new American Academy of Arts and Sciences members.
Student health insurance open forum
The CSU Health Network is hosting an open forum regarding the CSU Student Health Insurance Plan from 5-6 p.m. Nov. 12 in Lory Student Center Rooms 304-306. Insurance Consultant Paul Mayo will present an overview of the plan including plan benefits, enrollment details and how health insurance works. If you are currently enrolled in the plan, are looking for a health insurance option for the spring semester, or are interested in learning more about health insurance, please plan to attend. For more information, contact the CSU Student Health Insurance Office at (970) 491-5118.
Engaging poets, preachers, prisoners as science partners
Renowned forest canopy ecologist Nalini Nadkarni believes that science and nature belong everywhere and that everyone should be aware of nature and the scientific enterprise.
Look who's outstanding!
Inspiring, that's what Custodial Services morning supervisors and leads are! As Facilities Management adapts to constant change, these mid-level managers are working to support employees in all facets of their daily work and assist each other in becoming a successful supervisory team.
CSU trots out new findings on controversial racehorse drug
Just in time for the Breeders’ Cup, a CSU researcher has released new studies about the impact of bleeding in racehorses' lungs.
Kathryn T. Bohannon speaker series
The Kathryn T. Bohannon Speaker Series is sponsored by the Kathryn T. Bohannon Women's Program Fund. The fund was established in 1993 by Mr. David Folkes in memory of his wife, Kathryn, who was a graduate student at CSU in the Department of Design and Merchandising and Consumer Sciences in 1991. Prior to her return to school, Kathryn was an Environmental Consultant in Denver and an Environmental Engineer with Eastman Kodak in Windsor, Colorado and Rochester, New York. A member of Phi Kappa Phi, Kathryn graduated Cum Laude from Kansas State University in 1974. Kathryn had a committed interest in developing self-esteem in women.
Culturally Safe Sex Education
Jessica Danforth is the founder of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN), the first and only organization of its kind by and for Indigenous youth working across issues of sexual and productive health, rights, and justice through the U.S. and Canada. Danforth will be speak at noon Nov. 5 in LSC 324.
Tough Guise 2: Violence, Manhood and American Culture
Educator and Cultural Theorist Jackson Katz challenges the myths befalling men and boys around the meaning of manhood. The film looks at a series of behaviors that lend to the normalized culture of violence against women and LGBTQ people. The abbreviated film screening will be followed by discussion facilitated by WGAC Staff.
Taking the 'Boo' out of 'Taboo': Sex Positivity
Emily Ambrose and Priscilla Gardea will be presenting a workshop to promote healthy sexual identity, exploration, and consensual intimate practices. The workshop takes place at noon Nov. 19 in LSC 372-374.
All events are free. For more information visit this website.
CSU QB Grayson honored
Colorado State senior quarterback Garrett Grayson earned several weekly honors after his career-best performance in the Rams’ 45-31 victory over Wyoming.
What's that sound?
Elk, owls, coyotes, and snowmobiles all have been heard on Colorado State University campus lately.
Off-Campus Life, Neighborhood Services partnership a national model
CSU's partnership with the City of Fort Collins is getting recognition across the country, most recently in a feature article in the Arizona Daily Sun.
The debate over GMOs heads to the ballot box
The following column was written by Melissa Wdowik, PhD, RDN, an assistant professor at Colorado State University in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and director of the Kendall Anderson Nutrition Center.
Genetically engineered foods are all around us: an estimated 60 percent to 80 percent of processed foods in U.S. grocery stores have genetically modified ingredients. With the food labeling initiative Proposition 105 on the November ballot, this is a good time to improve our understanding of both genetic engineering and the voting option before us.
Genetic engineering involves the transfer of genes for particular traits between species. Other terms for genetically engineered (GE) plants (or foods derived from them) are genetically modified (GM), genetically modified organism (GMO), and bioengineered. Historically, most of our foods have been naturally genetically modified through domestication of wild plants and natural selection, and agriculturally modified using genetic and selective breeding. The newer techniques of bioengineering are more precise laboratory methods of physically removing a gene from one organism and adding it into another, giving it the ability to express a desired trait. Most current GM crops have been engineered for resistance to insects, diseases, or herbicides. While “herbicide tolerance” sounds like an excuse to use more herbicides, it actually allows farmers to use products that are more environmentally friendly, while reducing soil erosion and CO2 emissions.
According to Dr. Patrick Byrne, a professor in CSU’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, crops most commonly engineered in Colorado include corn, alfalfa, and sugar beets, as well as soybeans and canola. Nationwide, cotton is another major engineered crop.
The biggest concern to consumers is: are these GM crops safe to eat? The term “frankenfood” was coined to reflect fears of unknown changes to our food supply. Indeed there are both pros and cons to genetically engineered foods espoused by supporters and detractors, respectively.
Supporters say benefits include increased pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and increased yields. They point to 18 years of GM consumption and hundreds of research studies finding no difference in food safety or nutritional value between GM and non-GM foods. They also point to potential GM crops that are nutritionally superior, such as Golden Rice, enriched with beta-carotene.
Detractors say risks include creation of pesticide-resistant weeds, accidental contamination between GM and non-GM crops and, hypothetically at least, antibiotic resistance and introduction of allergens into foods. The issues go further, however, with political, environmental and industrial arguments beyond the scope of this column. It is a highly complex issue, full of pros and cons.
The question remains, will labeling of GMOs help? Food labeling may give transparency for consumers to make informed decisions, but critics remind us that the cost will be passed on to taxpayers and consumers and loopholes make the benefits questionable: many foods will be exempt even when they do contain GE ingredients. Some experts support labels but want to wait for more accurate, reliable labeling rules. In the meantime, interested consumers can buy certified organic foods, which are by law free of GE ingredients, or “Non-GMO Verified” products. See Dr. Byrne’s thorough, unbiased explanation of labeling pros and cons here.
A related SOURCE story on this ballot measure, "Researcher: Analysis of GMO labeling initiative unbiased," is available here.