Taking a Stand on the Use of Herbicides

A. Pros of Herbicides
● The utilization of herbicides interrupts a plant's photosynthetic electron transport
chain and consequently the inhibition of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production
and carbon fixation. An effective tool for analyzing the biochemical activities of a
plant's reproductive or cell cycle is its capacity to synchronize cell division. In fact,
most of our knowledge on the cell cycle has been obtained from plant cell
suspensions that were synchronized by applying herbicides or other chemical
agents that arrest the cell cycle at various stages (Dayan et al., 2010). Moreover,
the majority of these herbicides are reversible inhibitors, making them effective
probes for controlling the cell cycle (Planchais et al., 2000). In short, it stops a
plant's growth and reproduction. It can help us control invasive plants such as
weeds, hence leading to better crop yield since reducing weeds will reduce the
competition it has with resources of other crops.

B. Cons of Herbicides
Interactions of Herbicides with Photosynthetic Electron Transport
● In photosystem II complex (PS II), herbicides like atrazine inhibit electron transport
by binding to the D1 protein. As these inhibitors bind to the D1 protein, it is able to
block the binding of plastoquinone. The process of photosynthetic electron
transfer is hindered by blocking PQ binding, which hinders the chloroplast's ability
to synthesize ATP and NADPH. As a result, the plant is unable to create the
nutrients it needs to survive and repair CO2. The disruption of electron transfer
also results in oxidative stress and the production of radicals, which harm cells.
These effects may ultimately lead to the death of the plant.
● However, since herbicides do interrupt the natural process of plant life, it
consequently causes adverse effects to our ecosystem and lifestyle as a whole.
One example is that it contributes to air, water, and soil pollution. Herbicide from
the targeted plant can easily spread to the other plants because of rain water. It
can end up in waterways and kill aquatic life, and even get in the food we
consume. Speaking of food, some of the plants we eat might be contaminated
with herbicide intended for other plants. This is because some herbicides remain
in the soil for long periods of time, effectively injuring crops planted in those
locations. Exposure to herbicides also causes skin irritation, while inhaling these
chemicals irritates the throat and nasal passages. Herbicide exposure is also
linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the Northwest Center for
Alternatives to Pesticides, and even birth defects in unborn babies (Beach, 2017).

C. Justification
 ● As humans, it is our responsibility to make the correct decisions in ensuring the
longevity of our environment. In the case of herbicides, we must come together
and assess the pros and cons of using these pesticides in modern agricultural
practices. This must be done as soon as possible in order to determine whether or
not they should continue to be used in the long run. It is especially relevant now
since there are many other environmental issues that are yet to be addressed,
and we need to find out if something seemingly insignificant like using weed-
killers could potentially develop into a bigger problem. To evaluate this
objectively, we must conduct our personal research on the topic and take an
educated stand. Only then will we be able to come up with the best course of
action that will result in a healthier environment.

D. Slogan
● Upon review of the pros and cons of herbicides derived from the given research
articles, our group has decided to take a stand against the use of herbicides. With
that, we decided on, "Be the change you wish to see in the world: Choose
responsible actions for a sustainable future."

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
[1] Planchais, S., N. Glab, D. Inze´, and C. Bergounioux. (2000). Chemical inhibitors:
a tool for plant cell cycle studies. FEBS Lett. 476:78–83.
[2] Beach, E. (2017). Pros & Cons of Herbicides. SCIENCING. https://sciencing.com/pros-cons-
herbicides-4925.html.
[3] O’Callaghan, A. (n.d.). Weed Killers - Their Effects on Plants.