Counter Intuitive Type 1 Problem

Description:

Scientists discovered the phenomenon of DNA transfer between organisms in 1946. Many
mechanisms for DNA transfer have been discovered since then. The firsts of the genetically modified
crops were virus resistant tobacco and Flavor savor tomato, which delayed tomato ripening. Some of
the genetically modified crops include cotton, soybean, canola, potatoes, eggplant, strawberries,
corn, tomatoes, lettuce, cantaloupe, carrots etc.

Genetically modified foods were created to address some problems related to growth and
protection of organically grown crops/foods. These foods grow faster than the foods that are grown
traditionally and they can be grown at places with unfavorable climatic conditions. Modifying crops
helped in achieving higher output by reducing use of insecticides and pesticides on crops and making
crops less susceptible to diseases caused by viruses.

This helped in increasing production of food and thus lowering prices, which seemed like a win-win
situation for both the producer and the consumer.

The biggest threat caused by GM foods is that they can have harmful effects on the human body. It is
believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of
diseases which are immune to antibiotics. Many effects of these crops are not even known to the
human race.

David Williams, a cellular biologist who specializes in vision is of the opinion that inserted genes can
be transformed by several different means, and it can happen generations later and the results could
be potentially toxic plants slipping through testing.

P ROBLEM- Plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased tolerance towards
herbicides, resulting in crop damage. Reduction in food output.

AFFECTED PARTY- Farmers, Vegetable Retailers, Public.

PROBLEM OWNER - Government, Farmers.

SOLUTION IDENTIFIED - Genetically Modifying food crops by inducing crops with selective genes.

RESULT - More food produced, less damage to the crops. Food prices lowered.

COUNTER-INTUITIVE R ESULT - Unknown and highly lethal risks that can be seen generations later.
Development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.

Problem Structure Diagram:

References:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-genetically-modified-food/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791249/

https://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/
 Counter Intuitive Type 2 Problem

Introduction of Bio-diesel

Replacement of fossil fuels with biomass fuels has been an ongoing discussion and matter of concern
for decades. As the fuel reserves are depleting and the global warming is increasing because of the
burning of these fuels, a solution at hand was to generate fuel using biomass. It would have positive
climate change effects by generating lower levels of greenhouse gases that contribute to global
warming. Bioenergy crops can reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions by directly removing
carbon dioxide from the air as they grow and storing it in crop biomass and soil.

Some of the biofuel generate more greenhouse gases than those from fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases
were emitted at various states of production of biofuels. The deforestation done in the process of
generating biofuels thus escalated the problem of global warming. Biofuel production uses food
crops such as corn, soybeans, sorghum and palm oil. Palm oil is relatively easy to produce. In
Indonesia, expansion of palm oil resulted in mass deforestation which resulted in Indonesia
becoming the largest greenhouse gases emitter.

P ROBLEM - Increase in Global Warming

PROBLEM OWNER - Government, Public and Private Entities

PROBLEM CAUSING ENTITY - Greenhouse gases

DIRECTLY AFFECTED PARTY - Public - human beings

INDIRECTLY AFFECTED PARTY - Animals

AGENTS - Fuel production companies, Government

INTERESTED PARTY - Public, scientists, gas companies, government, media

OUTCOME - Rate of increase of global warming escalated due to deforestation and greenhouse gas
production during development of biofuel

Problem Structure Diagram

References:

https://www.greenfacts.org/en/biofuels/l-3/4-environmental-impacts.htm

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/biofuels/10-disadvantages-of-biofuels4.htm