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Title
Public and private regulation : the Food Safety Modernization Act and the governance of food safety in the United States
Creator
Oldfield, Michaela Wattenberg-Tarr
Date
2015
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
Using the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) as a case study, the dissertation examines evolving patterns of governance in the contemporary agrifood system. Scholars today note that governing is carried out through patterns of governance, in which rules are set, applied and enforced by all manner of social-political actors nested in overlapping networks at multiple scales and across diverse geographies. The research explores who is participating in these networks, how the actors and...
Show moreUsing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) as a case study, the dissertation examines evolving patterns of governance in the contemporary agrifood system. Scholars today note that governing is carried out through patterns of governance, in which rules are set, applied and enforced by all manner of social-political actors nested in overlapping networks at multiple scales and across diverse geographies. The research explores who is participating in these networks, how the actors and networks are interacting, and the consequences these overlapping networks have for different sectors of society to meaningfully affect the choices about their lives. The research examines how interactions among industry, public and private regulators, consumer groups and alternative agrifood activists in private and public-private regulatory networks shaped the policy choices in the FSMA and re-contoured the roles and relationships among public and private regulatory actors. The dynamics of proliferating policy networks are complicating the regulatory tasks of public regulators and undermining the capacity of some stakeholders to meaningfully participate in all of the relevant governance activities. In the enactment and rulemaking, alternative agrifood systems advocates sought to contest current agrifood governance patterns. They had some meaningful success establishing themselves as a distinct and legitimate interest group with potential political power. But ultimately governance continues to be dominated by corporate interests and neoliberal thinking. The conclusion is that emerging governance patterns are undermining traditional democratic normative values. Attempting to dramatically restructure the system seems untenable, while staying the course and perhaps re-conceptualizing normative values of governance is dissatisfying.
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Title
Systematics of the genus Rhagoletis (Diptera : Tephritidae : new species, phylogeny, and justifications
Creator
Hulbert, Daniel Lloyd
Date
2018
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
Flies of Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are economically important fruit pests (infesting specialty fruit crops including apples, blueberries and cherries), which also serve as models for studying modes of speciation and coevolutionary relationships with their hymenopteran parasitoids. There are new species within the genus which have not been previously formally described. One of these species is within the tabellaria species group. I describe the morphology of Rhagoletis bushi Hulbert &...
Show moreFlies of Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are economically important fruit pests (infesting specialty fruit crops including apples, blueberries and cherries), which also serve as models for studying modes of speciation and coevolutionary relationships with their hymenopteran parasitoids. There are new species within the genus which have not been previously formally described. One of these species is within the tabellaria species group. I describe the morphology of Rhagoletis bushi Hulbert & Smith, its geographic distribution, host association, phylogenetic relationships, and identify an associated species of parasitoid wasp. The new species infests the fruit of buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) in the Northern Great Plains of North America. There is a suite of morphological characters, and a unique host plant association, that are diagnostic of R. bushi. Further evidence for the validity of R. bushi and its placement within the tabellaria species group comes from DNA sequence data from multiple genetic loci. The phylogenetic relationships among Rhagoletis species groups remain unresolved despite analyses based on morphology, allozymes, and mitochondrial DNA. Most Nearctic Rhagoletis belong to one of five species groups (pomonella, tabellaria, cingulata, suavis , and ribicola groups), with two unplaced species (R. fausta and R. juniperina), all of which appear to be part of a larger monophyletic group that also includes some Palearctic taxa. Regarding the overall phylogeny of the genus, my goals were to 1) resolve phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S, CAD, period, AATS) DNA sequences, and 2) to identify the monophyletic group containing these Nearctic species. Using Bayesian analysis of a combined dataset with 4399 aligned nucleotides, I inferred a well-supported monophyletic group containing the five Nearctic Rhagoletis species groups, plus R. fausta, R. juniperina, and two Palearctic species: R. batava and R. flavigenualis. Within this larger monophyletic assemblage, the five Nearctic species groups together are monophyletic as are four of the five individual species groups (not ribicola). Palearctic and Neotropical Rhagoletis were resolved into well-supported clades of taxa often sharing closely related host plants. A well-resolved phylogeny of Rhagoletis is a valuable tool for future work addressing questions pertaining to how history, geography and ecology have shaped the phylogenetic patterns we observe in the genus. It is often claimed that systematic biology is fundamental to all other areas of biology. I critically evaluate the acceptance of this claim by entomologists critically as it relates to the field of entomology. I also critically describe the justification and valuations for systematic biology using the framework of Boltanski and Thevenot's realms of worth and the philosophical framework for justification using virtues, desserts and outcomes. In order to accomplish these purposes, I critically analyze and review relevant entomological literature and interview practitioners of entomology and insect systematic biology. I find justification for systematic biology overwhelming takes the form of appeals to utilitarianism (both internally and externally focused) and are most relevant in the Industrial World. Additionally, some justifications given also pertain to the Civic World and to virtue. Evaluation of justification in systematic biology is important, especially as our globe becomes increasingly ecologically and politically unstable.
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Title
Environmental risk assessment for introduction of genetically engineered weevil resistant sweetpotato in Uganda
Creator
Zawedde, Barbara Mugwanya
Date
2013
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
ABSTRACTENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR INTRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WEEVIL RESISTANT SWEETPOTATO IN UGANDABy Barbara Mugwanya ZaweddeGenetic engineering (GE) tools have been used for crop improvement for over two decades, however, widespread acceptance and cultivation of GE crops has been constrained in part by associated environmental concerns. Bt sweetpotato is one of the GE products being developed to address weevil infestation, which causes high yield losses in some parts of...
Show moreABSTRACTENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR INTRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED WEEVIL RESISTANT SWEETPOTATO IN UGANDABy Barbara Mugwanya ZaweddeGenetic engineering (GE) tools have been used for crop improvement for over two decades, however, widespread acceptance and cultivation of GE crops has been constrained in part by associated environmental concerns. Bt sweetpotato is one of the GE products being developed to address weevil infestation, which causes high yield losses in some parts of Africa where sweetpotato is considered a food security crop. To address the frequently raised concern of possible impact of GE crops on land race and varietal diversity, microsatellite marker analysis was performed to assess the level of genetic diversity in sweetpotato in Uganda and other parts of East Africa and compare to diversity present in samples from the proposed center of origin in South America A total of 260 sweetpotato accessions, collected from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Brazil and Peru, were characterized using 13 to 16 microsatellite markers. The Ugandan collection has a large number of distinct landrace genotypes, but there was low (6%) genetic variability between the Ugandan germplasm and accessions obtained from other East African countries. Within Uganda higher genetic variability (76%) was recorded within regions than among regions. To gain a better understanding of how diversity is maintained in farmers' fields, ethno-botanical surveys were performed within three sweetpotato producing regions of Uganda to analyze the considerations used by farmers when making decisions to maintain, incorporate and or discard varieties, and to assess the changes in the crop management practices implemented when adopting new cultivars that are, or are not, introduced in concert with promotional campaigns. In most districts, farmers were growing both landraces and released cultivars. Maintenance of traditional varieties was influenced by ecological conditions, socio-economic factors, and crop management practices such as drought, market and extension service access. To contribute to an environmental risk assessment for Bt sweetpotato, which is required in Ugandan prior to open release of any new GE crops, problem formulation was used to identify valued ecological entities in the receiving environment and possible harms associated with introducing a new technology. A participatory approach was taken using consultations with local Ugandan scientists and regulators with diverse expertise to identify agronomic practices and possible harms that may be associated with three GE crop-trait scenarios. Based on these consultations, the potential harms viewed to be most relevant for each scenario were identified. For GE weevil resistant sweetpotato, development of resistance by the pest, sweetpotato varietal diversity loss, diversity loss for other crops, and secondary pests were identified as the concerns that warrant greatest regulatory consideration. Information obtained from the sweetpotato biodiversity and farmer practices studies combined with existing literature was used to address the prioritized concerns. These analyses indicated that diversity loss for other crops and emergence of secondary pests were unlikely; development of resistance by the pests and loss of sweetpotato varietal diversity appear to be more likely, although not unique to deployment of GE crops. Possible risk management strategies to mitigate these concerns were suggested for consideration prior to open cultivation of weevil resistant sweetpotato varieties.
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Title
Where is "fun on the farm" to be found? : How structural factors affect the location of agritourism enterprises in Michigan
Creator
Dentzman, Katherine E.
Date
2015
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
ABSTRACTWHERE IS "FUN ON THE FARM" TO BE FOUND? :HOW STRUCTURAL FACTORS AFFECT THE LOCATION OF AGRITOURISM ENTERPRISES IN MICHIGANByKatherine E. Dentzman With growing emphasis on diversifying the agricultural sector, there is increasing interest in developing agritourism especially for small to mid-sized producers. This paper contributes to the literature in this subfield of scholarship by moving beyond the motivations of producers and consumers to consider what structural factors of place...
Show moreABSTRACTWHERE IS "FUN ON THE FARM" TO BE FOUND? :HOW STRUCTURAL FACTORS AFFECT THE LOCATION OF AGRITOURISM ENTERPRISES IN MICHIGANByKatherine E. Dentzman With growing emphasis on diversifying the agricultural sector, there is increasing interest in developing agritourism especially for small to mid-sized producers. This paper contributes to the literature in this subfield of scholarship by moving beyond the motivations of producers and consumers to consider what structural factors of place might explain the presence of agritourism operations. Using data on agritourism enterprises from the Michigan Agri-Tourism Association, I test three contending hypotheses. The first, derived from the literature on agritourism, argues that urban-ness is the main structural factor determining the presence of agritourism businesses. My second hypothesis, derived from Bourdieu's cultural capital theory, predicts that spatially grouped capitals such as income and education will be the main predictors of agritourism location. This goes beyond pure numbers of people and instead investigates the characteristics these groups possess that may create spaces supportive of agritourism. Finally, I hypothesize that urban-ness and capitals work together to predict the presence of agritourism more effectively than either factor alone. The results show that while spatial capitals are a stronger predictor of the location of agritourism enterprises, urban-ness has a unique multiplier effect that helps counties increase their number of agritourism businesses to three or more. This helps to resolve some debate over the complex effect of urban-ness on agritourism. The implications for future research and policy are discussed.
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Title
Assessing drought tolerance in CBF1 transgenic cultivated potato lines (solanum tuberosum); and a sociological survey of college students' attitudes towards genetically modified potatoes
Creator
Nichol, Nicole Laurel
Date
2011
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
Drought prone areas have been increasing around the world, and due to climate change, it is expected that these areas will only further increase and become more severe. Therefore, the need for drought tolerant crops is imperative. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most important food crop in the world, and increasing this crop's ability to tolerate drought stress could aid in feeding our growing global population. Transforming the CBF1 gene into plants has been...
Show moreDrought prone areas have been increasing around the world, and due to climate change, it is expected that these areas will only further increase and become more severe. Therefore, the need for drought tolerant crops is imperative. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most important food crop in the world, and increasing this crop's ability to tolerate drought stress could aid in feeding our growing global population. Transforming the CBF1 gene into plants has been shown to increase the plants' freezing, drought and saline stress tolerance. CBF1 genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum commersonii and Solanum tuberosum have been transformed into cultivated potato lines under the stress inducible promoter COR15a. The AtCBF1 lines were evaluated using an electrolyte leakage assay and field trials. Two of the lines, E74.8 and E74.9 showed the lowest percent of electrolyte leakage and were able to maintain a yield similar to the wild type control under drought stressed field conditions. The ScCBF1 and StCBF1 lines were evaluated using an in vitro osmotic stress assay. Two of the ScCBF1 lines and five of the StCBF1 lines were able to outperform the wild type controls. A questionnaire was developed to study the effect of information on college students' attitudes towards genetically modified potatoes. It was found that those whom received the information were more approving of GM potatoes for human consumption, and felt they were safer, than those in the control group. However, the information had no effect on their willingness to consume foods with GM potato ingredients.
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Title
Bioenergy futures : a study of imaginaries, framing, cultures, and justification in community controversy over bioenergy development
Creator
Eaton, Weston Michael
Date
2015
Collection
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Description
While Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) such as bioenergy are increasingly contested, community-level discourse and collective action in support or opposition to RETs remains understudied. This dissertation begins to fill this research gap through three distinct studies using data collected on four communities where bioenergy facility development was under consideration in northern Michigan. First, I analyze the discourse of different actors in northern Michigan around the socio-technical...
Show moreWhile Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) such as bioenergy are increasingly contested, community-level discourse and collective action in support or opposition to RETs remains understudied. This dissertation begins to fill this research gap through three distinct studies using data collected on four communities where bioenergy facility development was under consideration in northern Michigan. First, I analyze the discourse of different actors in northern Michigan around the socio-technical imaginary of bioenergy development, finding that discourse critical of proposed local development invokes powerful remembered histories of clear-cut forests. Second, I draw from the sociology of culture to investigate the relationship between divergent community-level responses to proposed development and the cultural resources built up around industrial development and pollution in particular places. Third, I extend insights from French Convention Theory to examine how actors in community-level disputes appeal to a select number of higher principles in an attempt to truncate debate. These three papers will contribute to theories of community-level responses to RETs that help explain how community factors shape social responses to RET development.
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