Genetically modified crops: environmental and human health concerns.
About 10,000 years ago subsistence farmers started to domesticate plants and it was only much later, after the discovery of the fundaments of genetics, those organisms were submitted to rational genetic improvement mainly by selecting of traits of interest. Breeders used appropriate gene combinations to produce new animal races, plant varieties and hybrids, as well as improved microorganisms such as yeasts. After the introduction of recombinant DNA techniques, the transfer of DNA between species belonging to different genera, families or kingdoms became possible. The release of transgenic plants has aroused debates about several aspects of the environmental and human risks that could result from the introduction of genetically modified crops. Less effort has been dedicated to evaluate the impact of transgenicGlendale City Manager Ed Beasley: Tenure coming to end

Glendale manager brought big change, debt

Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley told employees on Friday that he plans to retire in 2012, but whether that will be at the end of next month or several months out is unclear.

Beasley on Monday had not given council members a departure date, only saying he would stay until some internal projects are completed.

Council members had yet to discuss the departure of the city's top administrator, or how they will go about finding his replacement.

Beasley, who has spent much of his career protecting a low profile, declined comment on Monday.

Beasley's retirement at 53 comes after an ambitious career. The former law student at 29 became the youngest and only Black city manager in Arizona in