Group Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Group - Assignment Example like a barcode on a good in a store. The chip contains a silicon IC (integrated circuit) chip and an antenna. This chip is fed with a program containing the product particulars e.g. size, date of manufacture and serial number. The data are fed in terms of (0’s) and (1’s). Average chips will carry about 9 bytes (Moscatiello, 2007). The chip does not have to be visible since it uses radio waves that are not affected by obstacles along the straight communication path. This chip is normally powered by an incoming wave and is able to receive and transmit radio signals. The RFID tag/chip has a unique address that makes it distinctive among others. There is a reader that is connected to an antenna for sending and receiving messages to and from the chip. The reader has a program that can generate a digital signal like â€Å"who are you†. The chip replies â€Å"I am so and so†. This message is usually in the form of an electronic product code (EPC). This communication is regulated by a communication protocol and software that relates data in the database to the data received from the chip. The user interface hardware is usually a computer that upon receiving communication from the chip, it shows a message to the user. This can be the product description, status i.e. expiry dates, product price, location or even â€Å"unknown product†. The software has other programs that help it initialize multiple goods read at the same time. It usually applies an algorithm to queue the goods for communication with the reader. The software helps reduce the chances of multiple recording or omission of goods in the system. The reader applies the designated software to control multiple signals of the same product due to reflections and weak signals due to distance and power. The whole system is similar to that of bar codes except that the RFID tag can carry more data, transmits data at larger distances, does not have to be visible on the product, and the tag can receive and send

Genetically modified food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Genetically modified food - Essay Example However, in the contemporary world, scientists have adopted complex measures by integrating the laboratory with breeding, and narrowing down to the building blocks of such attributes; the genes. As such, various methods of genetic modification, alteration, and improvement have developed organisms that are an improvement of the already existing organisms. The improvement is in terms of the rate of growth, resistance to more harsh conditions, and productivity. This has been integrated with food production, with the widespread of genetically modified foods. As much as such developments promote the wellbeing of individuals through reduction of food insecurity and increasing the nutrient density and shelf life of food, many fail to understand the ramifications that such technology holds. Different individuals hold different opinions regarding the genetically modified foods, with some arguing for it, while others against it. However, genetically modified food should be forbidden because it can break the ecological balance. Genetic modifications, also known as â€Å"genetic engineering† involves a deeper meaning than the phrase sounds. With reference to the word engineering, Rifkin suggests that it involves the application of the principles of engineering in life’s genetic blueprints. Rifkin goes further to explain such engineering principles in his article, â€Å"The Bio Tech Century†, as predictable outcomes, efficiency, quality control, quantifiable measurement standards, and utility (Rifkin 2). As such, genetically modified foods are edible plants and animals whose DNA has been altered in terms of the genetic framework to favor a certain sequence, through genetic engineering. Such alterations could be geared towards producing foods that are resistant to pests, grow rapidly, or have an improved nutrient profile. On the other hand, ecology involves the scientific