1.
In his lecture, Dr. Tyrone Hayes discusses the effects of Atrazine on amphibians and the potential effects of the drug on human health. In his lecture, Dr. Hayes supports his argument using research findings and presentations. In his findings, Dr. Hayes explains that atrazine has severe effects on the sexuality of amphibians and may cause serious health effects on humans who are exposed to the chemical. Dr. Tyrone also advocates on the development of regulations to curb the use of atrazine.
2.
The most intriguing part of Dr. Tyrone’s presentation, is where he “crosses the line” by advising the audience to request legislators to advocate for the banning of atrazine. Dr. Tyrone claims that Syngenta (Atrazine’s manufacturer) is trying to conceal the facts by simply stating that their own research findings are not similar to those of Dr. Tyrone.
Overall Questions
1.
The use of animals for scientific research and experiments has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Animal testing has enabled research firms to develop drugs and treatments that have led to improved health for human beings. Procedures such as open heart surgery have been developed through animal testing. Treatments for diseases such as tuberculosis and scarlet fever were also developed through animal testing. Therefore some of the medical breakthroughs that we have experienced have been made successful through animal testing. Animal testing also enables scientist to learn the effect of drugs, substances, and medical procedures in a living body. Animal testing ensures that there is reduced risk of harm to humans.
Cons
Animal testing leads to countless deaths to the animals that are used in experiments. In addition, the costs associated with animal testing are enormous. This is because animals that are used for scientific experiments are often fed, housed and cared for. In other cases, scientists may breed animals for scientific experiments thereby increasing the costs of the exercise. Some of the drugs and medical procedures that work in animals may not work in humans.
2.
Yes. Results obtained from animal testing can relate to human beings. In the past there are drugs that were tested on animals such as mice and were found to be equally effective in humans. For example, penicillin was successfully tested on mice before it was adopted as medicine for humans.
3.
Dr. Tyrone refutes media claims that medical studies on rats are irrelevant when it comes to human health. Dr. Tyrone retaliates that the use of rats in medical research is important and relevant to human health. He uses the example of rat and human exposure to DES which results to similar health effects on both organisms. Dr. Tyrone also explains that atrazine causes mental impairment to rats and is likely to have the same effects on human beings
4.
No, today there are alternatives to atrazine which have no proven negative effects on organisms. Atrazine has proven negative health effects on organisms such as rats, amphibians and humans.
5.
Crops yields can be increased through, crop rotation, use of organic manure and using the best strain of a crop that is suitable for a specific region
6.
We can create more interest by highlighting the consequences of releasing harmful chemicals to the environment. It is also important to highlight human activities that lead to chemical pollution of the environment. This information should be shared with the public in order to sensitize them on the effects of chemicals to the environment.
