Week 10 Blog Post - Super-broccoli a 'fantastic achievement'

By: Unknown author, published on the Sydney Morning Herald Website (Diet and Fitness). On the 5th October 2011.


http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/superbroccoli-a-fantastic-achievement-20111005-1l8i2.html

The article, Super Broccoli a ‘fantastic achievement’ is about the development of a broccoli that has gone on sale in the UK, claiming to contain boosted levels of nutrients.   This is a well written article and keeps the reader engaged throughout.   It explains the bio chemistry of the broccoli in a coherent way, and doesn’t assume scientific or nutrition knowledge from the reader. The experts quoted were appropriate including; a member from the research group, a science minister and a nutritionist.  Although the content of the article is more appropriate to people living in the UK (as this is where the broccoli is now for sale), the issue regarding the modification of foods is still worthy of debate within any country.  As we look towards a changing future of journalism as highlighted in week 12’s readings, we can also see vast changes to our future within other sectors of our world.  The power and influence of technology in regards to our future conjures many questions and ethical debates.   

It would be interesting for this article to be followed up with an investigation into the reasons why people aren’t getting their needed nutritional intake in the first place, and thus the need/place of technological enhancements to counter this phenomenon.  A study into the prevention of nutrient related diseases/conditions as opposed to technology which must then cure such occurrences would be an interesting way to view the topic.  Also linking an article regarding genetically modified foods such as the ABC’s Catalysts’ report on the future of GM foods http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s2062724.htm on webpage would be a clever way of educating the public on the issue, and creating debate within the community.