Project:

The Meat We Eat!

Students:

Melanie Quizhpe, fernanda alvarez, Ahmed Youssef, Karla Valdez

School:

High School for Health Professions and Human Services, Manhattan

Mentors:

Rocheli Apilan

Abstract:

Have you ever wondered what the hot dogs you eat are made of? This question has raised ongoing concerns about people's household health. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the composition of mystery meats and understand how some of them can be detrimental to human health. DNA Barcoding is a valuable tool in ensuring the safety and quality of the food we consume. Research has shown that consuming contaminated and adulterated food can lead to serious health problems, including infectious diseases and allergies. DNA barcoding technology serves as a regulatory tool for identification and authenticity, providing the public with insights into the microbiological and toxicological risks associated with consuming unknown meats like hot dogs, spam, and beef jerky. Detecting improper labeling of these products significantly enhances food safety.

Poster:

Team samples: