The Discussions are not simply statements of opinion. They are intended to allow you to expand upon and apply the principles discussed in your textbook, the lectures, and/or other research you conduct. Each week a question will be posed for your consideration. Before answering, you should review the chapters covered during this week and the lectures.

Many of the farm-grown/farm-raised foods available today have been treated with pesticides. Meats, which we eat like beef and chicken, have been irritated. Why are radioactive substances like Cesium 137, Cobalt 60 and Plutonium 238 used to irradiate our food? Some benefits are radiation kills bacteria, the nutrtitional value of the food is preserved and food spoilage is reduced and food shelf life is extended. However there are negative side effects of this technology that everyone must be aware of and understand.

For the Week 2’s Discussion we will be talking about Irradiated and Genetically Modified (GM) foods. When discussing this topic in your initial post the following points must be addressed:

Irradiated foods

1. Discuss a farming practice or treatment practice used to treat crops, crop products, raise animals or treat meats.

2. What are some of the reported effects of the treatments on people? [Sources of information must be reliable and credible scientific resources.]

3. How are these practices being monitored by the U.S. Federal Government?

4. How can the general public research how their food is grown?

Your initial post to the discussion is required to be completed and posted by 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday of Week 2. Your initial post is required to be on a specific radiation or genetically modified process that has NOT been posted on by another student AND at least 250 words. This MUST be in your own words. You are required to include at least one credible and reliable scientific resource of information ONLY and research carefully. Do NOT use ANY open blog or ANY open source where anyone can post responses and the information is not verified. Please do not plagiarize. Properly cite information used from outside resources per APA with in-text citations immediately following the information and a full reference citation at the end of discussion post. Review the “Credible References/APA format” folder in the ‘Start Here’ area of the classroom for additional information on Researching Information and properly citing resources used.

You are then required to make at least two additional posts to two other students [or one student and the professor] on two separate days and not posted on the same day as your initial post. The response posts should be at least 100 words and be substantive in nature. If a reference is used in writing a response post, it must be an appropriate and reliable academic resource as it is with references used for the initial discussion board response. While pleasantries such as "I agree" or "great job" are nice, they will not count as one of your required posts. A complimentary, philosophical, or off-topic comment does not count as one of the three required entries. For example, it does not help us to tell us that you did not know something before you read an entry. All entries should help everyone understand one or more of the concepts presented.