Fortified by Global Warming, Deadly Fungus Poisons Corn Crops, Causes Cancer
by Mollie Bluoudoff-Indelicato
January 15, 2013
found at ScientificAmerican.com
The Aspergillus (Aspergillus flavus) contamination of crops is posing a serious problem to world health and agriculture market. This fungal pathogen releases deadly spores that prove fatal when ingested. Symptoms of ingestion are jaundice, liver cancer, and internal bleeding. The results of contamination are so severe that in 1995, Saddam Hussein worked on weaponizing the fungi. So far, researchers have been unable to find a species immune to this fungus. The recent drought affecting over half of the United State has lead to a recent increase in contaminated crops. Last year, over 50% of Missourian crops were contaminating, making a sharp increase from 2011's record of 8%. This is explained by the popularity of hot, dry areas, which are A. Flavus' ideal habitat. The threat of contamination is even greater in developing nations, where they lack the technology to properly check for A. Flavus in crop. Also, in Africa, nations export their safe, legally uncontaminated product overseas, while selling the tainted crops domestically, causing serious health and safety issues. In addition, the Aflatoxins in the crop also react strongly with hepatitis B, which is more common in Africa and China, helps to speed up liver failure. This has lead to 750,000 reports of new liver cancer patients. People, however, aren't the only ones put at risk from crop contamination. Cattle and pets are at very high risk. In 2007, a mass pet food recall was initiated by the contamination of this fungus.
This is a very serious issue that greatly threatens both public health and agriculture. The rising temperatures, caused by the decaying ozone layer are leading to increased A. Flavus growth, which poses a serious danger to our food sources. This demonstrates the immediate necessity of combating climate change, by decreasing fossil fuel use. Also, the destroying of crops affected by this fungus could also contribute to food shortages, increasing world hunger In addition, it is especially important to inform and assist farmers in developing countries deal with this issue to ensure decreased exposure to the deadly spores.This would greatly help decrease the occurrence of liver cancer, the 6th most common type of cancer. Right now, over 5 billion people, around the world are at risk for A. Flavus related health issues, and immediate action must be taken to help eradicate this fungus from our crops.
by Mollie Bluoudoff-Indelicato
January 15, 2013
found at ScientificAmerican.com
The Aspergillus (Aspergillus flavus) contamination of crops is posing a serious problem to world health and agriculture market. This fungal pathogen releases deadly spores that prove fatal when ingested. Symptoms of ingestion are jaundice, liver cancer, and internal bleeding. The results of contamination are so severe that in 1995, Saddam Hussein worked on weaponizing the fungi. So far, researchers have been unable to find a species immune to this fungus. The recent drought affecting over half of the United State has lead to a recent increase in contaminated crops. Last year, over 50% of Missourian crops were contaminating, making a sharp increase from 2011's record of 8%. This is explained by the popularity of hot, dry areas, which are A. Flavus' ideal habitat. The threat of contamination is even greater in developing nations, where they lack the technology to properly check for A. Flavus in crop. Also, in Africa, nations export their safe, legally uncontaminated product overseas, while selling the tainted crops domestically, causing serious health and safety issues. In addition, the Aflatoxins in the crop also react strongly with hepatitis B, which is more common in Africa and China, helps to speed up liver failure. This has lead to 750,000 reports of new liver cancer patients. People, however, aren't the only ones put at risk from crop contamination. Cattle and pets are at very high risk. In 2007, a mass pet food recall was initiated by the contamination of this fungus.
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| Aspergillus flavus |
This is a very serious issue that greatly threatens both public health and agriculture. The rising temperatures, caused by the decaying ozone layer are leading to increased A. Flavus growth, which poses a serious danger to our food sources. This demonstrates the immediate necessity of combating climate change, by decreasing fossil fuel use. Also, the destroying of crops affected by this fungus could also contribute to food shortages, increasing world hunger In addition, it is especially important to inform and assist farmers in developing countries deal with this issue to ensure decreased exposure to the deadly spores.This would greatly help decrease the occurrence of liver cancer, the 6th most common type of cancer. Right now, over 5 billion people, around the world are at risk for A. Flavus related health issues, and immediate action must be taken to help eradicate this fungus from our crops.
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