Dr. Karen Atler, an assistant professor in the Colorado State University Department of Occupational Therapy, recently received the 2014 Marjorie Ball Award of Merit at the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado State Conference.
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.
[caption id="attachment_5340" align="alignright" width="300"]
An occupational therapy class during the 2014 summer session.[/caption]
Current and former students have voted Colorado State University's Department of Occupational Therapy as the best in the country — again.
In the latest rankings by GraduatePrograms.com, CSU’s occupational therapy program beat out OT departments at Washington University in St. Louis (2nd), Boston University (9th), Columbia University (12th) and the University of Southern California (20th) for the top spot.
“We are honored to be ranked as the number one occupational therapy department in the nation,” said Robert Gotshall, interim head of the department. “Our students and alumni rank us through Graduateprograms.com, and this is the second year in a row that we have topped the list of 25 best occupational therapy programs in the nation. Now it is the responsibility of our faculty to maintain the educational quality that has inspired our students to rank us so highly.”
The professional program in the Department of Occupational Therapy — part of the College of Health and Human Sciences — long has been recognized as one of the nation's best. U.S. News and World Report ranked the program No. 6 in the country in its 2014 survey.
Graduateprograms.com reaches current and recent graduate students through scholarship entries as well as social media platforms. The program rankings cover a period from Sept. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2014. Graduateprograms.com assigns 15 ranking categories to each graduate program at each graduate school. Rankings cover a variety of student topics, such as academic competitiveness, career support, financial aid, and quality of network. For a given graduate program, rankings are determined by calculating the average score for each program based on the 15 ranking categories.
More information is available at www.graduateprograms.com/top-occupational-therapy.
Colorado State University’s Fashion Group International student chapter will be hosting its annual recycled fall fashion show on Nov. 15 between 7 and 9 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Lory Student Center on CSU’s campus.
The Department of Design and Merchandising has received its first swatch of funding from revenues generated by the Tartan Plaid one of its students designed last year.
Brad Sheafor, professor emeritus of the School of Social Work at Colorado State University, has recently had the 10th edition of his popular textbook Techniques and Guidelines for Social Work Practice published by Pearson Education, with Charles R. Horejsi as co-author.
The CSU College of Health and Human Sciences announced the first recipients of its new Alumni Awards last week.
The CSU Early Childhood Center has a new “musical garden” for children, thanks to the support of two dear friends.
CSU basketball legend Becky Hammon has been voted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. She is one of 18 former CSU athletes or coaches in the state's hall.
Colorado State University’s 100 Years of Homecoming celebration on Oct. 18 will get off to a healthy start with the annual Homecoming 5K Race at 8 a.m. Runners and walkers will gather at CSU’s iconic Oval to enjoy the fall color and get a jump on the full day of Homecoming festivities. The 34th annual race involves a flat course throughout campus for serious and novice runners and walkers, as well as a Kids Fun Run, led by CAM the Ram. The Homecoming Run is the eighth race in the 16th annual “Healthy Kids Run Series” sponsored by the Healthy Kids Club at University of Colorado Health. Kids who participate in four or more of the eight runs in the series earn prizes. Registration is available online. An early registration discount is available – the fee is only $20 before Friday, Oct. 10. Late registration is available for $25 until 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, when online registration closes. Race-day registration in person is available for $30 until 7:45 a.m. Registration includes a custom-designed, long-sleeved T-shirt featuring Aggie orange. Other registration locations include the Department of Health and Exercise Science at CSU, which sponsors the event and is located in the B-wing of Moby Gym, Room 220; Altitude Running, 150 E. Harmony Road, Unit 2C; and Runner’s Roost, 2720 Council Tree Ave., Suite 112. Proceeds from the race will benefit CSU’s Heart Disease Prevention Program, part of the Human Performance Clinical/Research Laboratory. The laboratory provides screenings to the public and specific professional groups, such as police officers and firefighters, for heart disease risk factors. Screenings include personal and family history, a maximal treadmill test, an examination by a physician, blood lipid analysis and body composition assessment, along with personally tailored results and counseling. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division. A drawing for participant prizes will take place during the awards ceremony. Sponsors include CSU Youth Sport Camps, Re/Max Alliance, the CSU Bookstore, Poudre Valley Hospital, Triple Crown Sports, The Egg and I, Hewlett Packard, Eyecare Associates, the Orthopaedic and Spine Center of the Rockies, Altitude Running, Gay and Karan Israel, Ren and Sharon Jensen, Barry Braun, Markley Motors, Miramont Lifestyle Fitness, and Sam Cooper Design. The Human Performance Clinical/Research Laboratory and the Department of Health and Exercise Science are part of the College of Health and Human Sciences at CSU.