Issue 5 – June 2013 Welcome
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RELAX Procrastination isn’t all that bad, as we find out. So go get yourself that cup of tea and read more! Your magazine from the RCSU FREE Mother Nature How science and humanity affects our natural environment Issue 5 – June 2013 www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet Welcome ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE UNION RCSU Science for life Philip Kent, Editor-in-chief nimal cruetly is a recently held in California subject that always asked its residents whether Acauses heated debate to ban genetically modified Editor-in-chief and emotional discussions. (GM) crops, and badger culling Philip Kent This is not the only example has recently appeared in the of where the ethics of science headlines in the UK with the Deputy Editor and nature have collided. Government planning on a Matt Colvin The main focus on this nationwide cull to prevent the issue is investigating how spread of bovine diseases. Editor-elect the two topics are linked, However, exam time is near, Keir Little investingating not just how so there are some articles science affects animals, but less grim in this bumper Sub-editor (Features and Reviews) also the worlds of genetic issue to cheer you up. Flick Jisoo Jean modification and culling to over towards the end of our prevent disease spreading Features for a look at an Sub-editor (Features and Careers) The latter two topics are upcoming revolution to your Fiona Hartley examples of scientific issues sex life, and we have lots of thaat have been debated to an tips to help you procrastinate Sub-editor (Puzzles) extreme length over the past (as if you didn’t need any Jonathan Peek few decates. However, this in more). no way means that the case Best of luck to everyone for Copy Chief is now closed. A referrendum the rest of your summer term! Annina Sartor With special thanks to the editor’s girlfriend for putting up with the Editor designing Broadsheet. RCSU Awards 2013 Revision A Some images from the Open Clipart The announcement of the RCSU Colours, RCSU President’s Library. Awards and RCSU Club of the Year will be made at the Broadsheet is the magazine of the Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) RCSU Colours Bar Night Thursday 20th June, 7:00PM Email: [email protected] Web: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet Union Bar Like what you see? Want to Listen to the unveiling of this year’s awards, and enjoy a few drinks to the get involved? Just email in! celebrate the end of another year with the RCSU [email protected] 2 Highlights Highlights The science of procrastination Aren’t you lucky... we have 24 Page 13 pages of scientific fun this term. Here’s a sneaky peak! RELAX out. So go getProcrastination yourself that isn’t cup all of thattea and bad, read as we more! find Your magazine from the RCSU Animal antics, not just in the lab FREE Pages 4-9 The future of food Page 10 Comment online Mother Nature www.rcsu.org.uk/ How science and humanity broadsheet affects our natural environment Issue 5 – June 2013 www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet Don’t panic! Puzzles are still over at the back State of the Union Ready, steady, go! Mountain Film The RCSU President gives Want to work in science? Enjoy the thrill of his annual roundup! Best get preparing, we mountains from your Page 18 share some ideas. Page 20 armchair! Page 17 There’s more too! Read on to find out what else we have in store... www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 3 Features Mark Robinson Matthias Bigge Going... going... gone? From the high profile badger to a relatively unknown duck,Laura Kor introduces the history of animal culling in the UK pening a freezer to find a black of the public are unaware of is the fact trees. As such, many conservationists sack stuffed full of dead squirrels that the culling of other familiar species agree that grey squirrel control is Ois not what most of us would is already legal and active across the unavoidable in order to maintain our expect to happen at work. Yet this is country. In 21st century Britain, killing native countryside. the exact scene I stumbled across a few wildlife is an extremely contentious issue. While many of the other animals being weeks ago, while on placement for a So why are grey squirrels being killed? culled are also non-native, this is not true leading wildlife conservation trust. The Which other species are targeted? And for all targeted species. For instance, reason the squirrels were there? They had what are the pros and cons of culling? the recommendation to shoot a high just been killed as part of a grey squirrel Studying at Imperial, in close vicinity percentage of deer in the UK not only culling initiative in which the trust is a key to the grey squirrel paradise that is Hyde includes introduced species, but also partaker. Park, I am sure most of us are familiar the native red deer. This is due to past Debate over the proposed badger cull with the charms of this fluffy mammal. human action resulting in no natural has been in and out of the news in recent However, away from the bustle of predators being left in Britain to control months. However, what many members London and the eagerly outstretched their numbers. Resultantly, the deer hands of tourists, these same creatures population is seen to be far higher than Blaming animals [for are damaging Britain’s native wildlife. our countryside can support – causing the damage to wildlife] is Introduced from North America in the degeneration of vegetation in woodland both morally obnox- 19th Century, grey squirrels have not which can negatively impact surrounding ious and self-defeat- only been blamed for driving out the wildlife. ing reds, they could also be causing a decline Corvids (birds in the crow family) are “ Animal Aid in woodland birds and damaging native another native group of animals whose 4 Features Chris Huh Going... going... gone? From the high profile badger to a relatively unknown duck,Laura Kor introduces the history of animal culling in the UK numbers are controlled. However, in The recommenda- wildlife of a foreign country. However, their case, culling is not solely for wildlife tion to shoot a high with the high level of biodiversity loss conservation but also to protect crops and percentage of deer occurring across the globe, perhaps it is farm animals. On a recent visit to a farm in the UK not only right to conserve whatever is possible. during lambing season, the farmer told includes introduced With all these arguments and many me of how rooks had flown in and killed species, but also the na- more at play, it is unsurprising that there several new-born lambs – a substantial “tive red deer” are strong feelings both for and against economic loss for her. culling. It is important to remember that Despite this, there are organisations to the UK from America. Due to their the techniques used are thoroughly and individuals who strongly oppose the migration in winter, they are threatening researched in order to ensure the most culling of animals on several grounds. the survival of endangered white-headed humane methods are chosen, and the cull For instance, Animal Aid, one of the UK’s ducks in Spain. of a species is only licensed if it is deemed largest animal rights groups, feel that An eradication programme commenced necessary to protect native wildlife.But there is a strong moral argument against in 2005, with 6,500 ducks having been does this legitimise the purposeful killing it. Their belief is that “blaming animals killed at a cost of £5.1m. At £785 per of animals? Whatever your view, as I [for damage to wildlife] is both morally head, it is no surprise that opponents to picture the startling pile of dead squirrels obnoxious and self-defeating”. the cull not only claim that it is cruel but I discovered in the freezer, the words of The culling of certain animals can also also a waste of money! This was made a wildlife officer involved in mink culling prove more divisive then others. One of more controversial due to the fact that ring true: “Nature is not a Disney story.” the more contentious cases is that of while most of the costs are met by the A pilot of the cull commenced in the UK the ruddy duck, accidentally introduced UK government, the benefits are to the at the beginning of June. Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 5 Broadsheet Debate in association with IC Debating Society This House Would Ban Animal Testing Proposition product of pound shop philosophy. This attributes are retroactively used as ast year 3.8 million animal is damaging and leads, inevitably, to more reasons for acceptability. People experiments were carried out in the animal suffering. often use the arguments concerning LUK and an estimated 115 million Medical testing often requires inducing intelligence or empathy to struggle their worldwide. What’s more, the number a human disease or disorder in order to way out of the moral knots. The argument of animals being used and killed for model the effects and study the results. follows that humans feel empathy or “scientific” purpose is increasing year on I was considering listing what is inflicted have great intelligence, which is why year. It is, therefore, imperative to halt on these animals as a result of these these experiments would be cruel if done the cruel practice.