Bio-fortified corn shows the potential of GM foods A few weeks ago, I told you about the potential of genetically modified carrots to fight osteoporosis. But if you're not quite ready to swallow the idea of eating GM foods, maybe this next idea will be a bit more appetizing: Scientists have created a way to "breed" a strain of corn that has a significantly higher amount of vitamin A. The scientists managed to identify a naturally mutated gene in corn that enhances its provitamin content. A provitamin is an element such as beta-carotene that is a precursor to vitamin A that helps the human body to naturally manufacture that critical vitamin. From that point it's a simple matter of choosing varieties of corn where this mutated gene is present, and then breeding these varieties together. The result is a boost of provitamin A levels that is an incredible THREE TIMES higher than other kinds of corn. Why is this so important? Corn is the dominant subsistence crop in some very poor parts of the world, notably Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. In these regions, as many as a third of all children can suffer from vitamin A deficiency which can lead to immune system issues, significant vision impairment and, if left untreated, total blindness. Prior to the discoveries of these scientists, the existing method of assessing provitamin A content in varieties of corn crops was prohibitively expensive - and definitely beyond the reach of those poverty-stricken regions where it was most critical. The new method is far less expensive. If this new bio-fortified corn can help to eradicate the dangerous vitamin A deficiency for the children of the third world, wouldn't science be irresponsible if it did not pursue a faster, more efficient, and completely safe solution that can increase the nutritional impact of other foods? What if those children in Africa and Latin America had access to other hardy, inexpensive, and more nutritious crops at the same time as their corn? What other ailments (childhood and otherwise) could be erased from the human experience through the use of genetically modified foods? To me, this corn example underscores the limitless potential of genetic modification. I'm sure the parents of any children in the Third World who had access to healthier foods for their children wouldn't be likely to quibble over the "moral issues" of how that food came into being. It's more likely that they'd be overjoyed that their prayers had finally been answered. Whether food is bio-fortified or genetically enhanced, we can be thankful that we live in an age where science has the power to fight back against the hunger that has plagued the world since the dawn of time. Disturbing new government statistics reveal that approximately 3.1 million people between ages 12 and 25 have used - are you ready for this? - over-the-counter cough medicine to get high. I don't know about you, but a number that high certainly sticks in my craw. That means that more kids are abusing cough medicine than those abusing methamphetamines! The drug that's found in most cough syrups that don't require a prescription is DXM. Ingesting large amounts of DXM can cause disorientation, blurred vision, slurred speech, and vomiting. Essentially, the same effects that you can get from a bottle of tequila. Statistically, the incredibly misguided kids who are using this peculiar method to get a buzz are also users of marijuana, other inhalant drugs, and hallucinogens such as Ecstasy or LSD. More than 5 percent of teenagers and young adults have done this. The word that comes to my mind when I hear this: desperation. Clearly, the kids who are willing to turn to such a strange (and distasteful) form of drug to achieve a high have a problem. It reminds me of alcoholics who are so overtaken by their disease that they're willing to chug vanilla extract just for its alcohol content. Think about it: How much cough syrup must you drink to achieve the desired effect? If you've been to the drug store lately, you also realize that these cough syrups can run for more than $5 per bottle … it makes you wonder. It's one thing for kid under the age of 21 who's living at home to resort to easy-to-obtain cough syrup. But what about the kids from 21 to 25 who turn to cough syrup? This isn't the time or place for a breakdown of the drug problems in this country. But I think it says a lot that such a large number of youths are willing to go to such an extreme to simply "catch a buzz." It exposes a serious rift in our cultural mindset that's in desperate need of repair. | 
