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In her report for the Medill School, Laura Mihelich wrote about a new maize hybrid between temperate maize and tropical maize. This particular form of maize is being engineered at the University of Illinois for energy purposes and to be converted into ethanol.
This maize hybrid requires less fertilizer because it is less susceptible to disease and more drought resistant.
I do not think that this form of ethanol should be mass produced. While ethanol is efficient, producing 67 percent more energy than is necessary to grow the crop and convert the corn into ethanol, it decreases biodiversity.
Biodiversity protects plants and animals against disease and extinction, as demonstrated in this National Geographic article. In 100 years of artificial selection of our food for certain qualities, more than 90 percent of various types of crops. The number of varieties of corn in 1983 (12) was only four percent of what it was in 1903 (307), according to National Geographic.
I think that, while it is fine to utilize this new hybrid maize, it should not be depended upon because biodiversity should be supported. In addition, I am against using corn, which is food, for electric energy. According to Think Quest, 15 million children die from starvation each year.
I believe ethanol use should be limited and support for biodiversity encouraged.
-Frankie
This maize hybrid requires less fertilizer because it is less susceptible to disease and more drought resistant.
I do not think that this form of ethanol should be mass produced. While ethanol is efficient, producing 67 percent more energy than is necessary to grow the crop and convert the corn into ethanol, it decreases biodiversity.
Biodiversity protects plants and animals against disease and extinction, as demonstrated in this National Geographic article. In 100 years of artificial selection of our food for certain qualities, more than 90 percent of various types of crops. The number of varieties of corn in 1983 (12) was only four percent of what it was in 1903 (307), according to National Geographic.
I think that, while it is fine to utilize this new hybrid maize, it should not be depended upon because biodiversity should be supported. In addition, I am against using corn, which is food, for electric energy. According to Think Quest, 15 million children die from starvation each year.
I believe ethanol use should be limited and support for biodiversity encouraged.
-Frankie
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