Question

What Is Science?

For your discussion posting choose one of the topics below and explain (at least 3 paragraphs) why or why not it meets our definition of science. Please use the standard essay format. You may also choose your own topic but you must first e-mail your instructor for approval. As soon as you choose a topic please post it in the "Topic Selections" discussion thread.  If you don't see a "topic selections" discussion thread, start one!

Vaccinations cause autism

Honey bee colony collapse is due to pesticides

BPA is detrimental to human health

Alzheimer's is caused by aluminum consumption

HIV was transmitted from animals to humans

The Bubonic Plague was caused by evil spirits

Cracking knuckles leads to arthritis

The loss of wetlands negatively impacts human water usage

Taking testosterone increases muscle mass in men

Legalization of marijuana will lead to increased use by teens

Global warming doesn't exist

Eating vegan decreases your risk of cancer

Anti-bacterial soaps and cleaning agents improve the health of your household

Vaporizers are safer than cigarettes

Air Bnb is a significant contributor to low vacancy rates (pick a city - more than 1 person can do this topic with different cities - max 2 people total)

Opiates prescription medications are generally safe for the population with the exception of a few vulnerable individuals.

Organic foods result in lower concentrations of pesticides in the people who eat them

Controlled, selective hunting of wild animals improves their populations

Chemicals kept under the sink cause a significant number of fatalities in children 0-3

Burning sage in a new home is important to improve the energy flow.

The majority of homeopathic medications contain the exact ingredients listed on the label and the effects are scientifically reviewed

Diesel engines, including bio-diesel, don't contribute significantly more atmospheric pollution as compared to unleaded fueled vehicles.

Your mini-essay should show understanding of at least 3 of the principles which define science as mentioned in the link above. You should clearly articulate which three you are focusing on in your post.

Focuses on the natural world

Aims to explain the natural world

Uses testable ideas

Relies on evidence

Involves the scientific community

Leads to ongoing research

Benefits from scientific behavior

The reader should understand why the evidence you found meets those 3 principles. The point of this paper is not to 'prove' the topic in one way or the other. The 'answer'' does not matter. What does matter is that the manner in which you prove the topic is done SCIENTIFICALLY!

You should use at least 2 sources of information (properly cited) to support your claim as well. You may use Wikipedia as background information for your benefit ONLY. You must find two additional independent sources of information to include in your discussion post. Please refer to the "citations" page under "course information" in the content link for specific instructions on how to cite a source. You will be graded on your demonstrated understanding of the topic, your comprehension of the information contained in your sources, and evaluation of the topic based on at least 3 of the scientific principles. Please comment on 2 posts as well.

Answer 1

Organic foods result in lower concentrations of pesticide in the people who eat them

Every year The department of agriculture tests for pesticide residues on variety of produce> In its latest report more than half of the samples had residues with majority coming below EPA tolerence levels."Conventionally grown organic fruits and vegetables are very safe" stated by Theresa stone spokesman for the Alliance for food and farming (AFF) an organization that represents conventional and organic produce growers.Studies have linked long term pesticide exposure increase the risk of parkinson's disease prostate , ovarian and other cancers, depression and respiratory problems.

Organic is a strictly regulated term so you can trust that you're getting produce grown with minimal if any synthetic pesticide.there are two group of agricultural pesticides Synthetic and natural. Synthetic are created in labs and natural ones are substances occur in nature.the majority of synthetic pesticides used in conventional farming are banned in organic farming but pestcides drift can means chemical sprayed on conventional crops may find their way to organic farmsand to support the line USDA organic standerds allow for the use of certain natural pesticides and very few synnthetic one.On the other hand Natural pesticides are usualy less toxic than synthetic ones To support the evidence a study on tomatoes conducted at university of carliforniain 2008 it is found that organic tomatoes have almost double the concentration of flavonoid known as quercetin compared with conventional grown tomatoes.

The reason in the absence of pesticides and fertilizers plants boost their production of the phytochemicals(vitamins and antioxidants ) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds.Organic farming reduces pollutants in gorundwater and creates richer soil that aids plant growth while reducing erosion according to organic trade association.When shopping for organic food always look for USDA seal on any kind of packaged food.For meat and diary this seal ensures youre getting antibiotic and harmone free products