OM GM Rice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of  Japan's major sources of food is rice, and there are many fields and areas dedicated to rice production in Japan. The recent tsuanmi and earthquake has desemated a lot of the fields where rice was grown, debris and other materials scattered all around the fields. In an article written by Jay Alabaster, a rice farmer comments rice production after the disaster, "If we start washing the soil out now, we can start growing our rice seedlings at the end of April at a different location, and plant them here a month later," It's great that people took on such optomistic attitudes after this tragedy,and working hard to rebuild. Knowing that rice is such a big product i wonder if genetically modified rice has been considered. Other than some malnourishment after the tsuanmi, and earthquake radiation poisoning from the nuclear powerplant has also been a major problem. This leads to my next question, : Could there be a way to genetically modify rice in order to help ease some of the symptoms of radiation poisoning?






http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hS2vcOuDBJlV1j5TSx2i2ilifldA

Japan is prepared with technology!

In an article from mytv9.com "Japan's Technology Helps With Recovery Efforts" the author discusses how Japan's preparedness has helped after the earthquake and tsuanmi. So as we all know Japan is has amazing technological advancements. Their buildings are made of earthquake/tsunnami resistant steel and metal. But what is most amazing is how the have developed robots to help find struggling victims. For example the Robocue not only does this but also has oxygen tanks which allow assistants to help victims breathe. The Quince another robot uses the detection of carbon dioxide to track down humans in need.
These are great inventions and applications of science at work helping humans survive. I wonder if a system like that is being used here in the US? And is it posssible to improve on this invention for the future? Could there be an addition to it that measures body temperature, pulse, etc. this way emergency crew members know the exact situation they are dealing .check out the pictures of the robocue.

Another cool thing check out this other blog that discusses the robocue:
http://dd-idham.blogspot.com/2011/03/robocue-robot-seeker-of-japan.html#comment-form
http://www.my9tv.com/dpps/my9_news/japan-earthquake-technology-helps-with-recovery-efforts-dpgoh-20110314-fc_12303803

Japan!

So it's been nearly a month since the earthquake and tsunami in japan. Yet this already tradgic story got worse with the nuclear power plant leak/ explosion. After listening to so many news reports on what's being done to help ( like donations being made, servicemen and women out there supplying Japanese with necessities) I'm wondering how the uses of science technology and biotechnology could be or is being used in this situation. For example in another disaster, the oil spill in the gulf a bacteria that "ate" oil was used to help in cleaning the area.
What can be done to prevent the harmful effects of radiation?
How can technology be used to rebuild their society?
These are some questions I'm hoping to find answers to, about the subject.