1. Learn about genetically modified organisms (GMO):
- Read in the free online textbook, The Concepts of Biology: Unit 3 Biotechnology -Section 10.1 & 10.2 (Links to an external site.)
- Visit the following links and read what the people against genetically modified organisms have to say:
Non GMO project – mission (Links to an external site.)
Non GMO project – GMO facts (Links to an external site.)
Non GMO project – GMO science (Links to an external site.)
- Read the following article which debunks common myths about GMOs:
Popular Science – Core Truth; 10 Common GMO Claims Debunked (Links to an external site.)
- Watch this video and see what Bill Nye has to say about GMOs:
Bill Nye the Science Guy talks about GMOs (Links to an external site.)
- Watch this documentary film which does an excellent job of walking through the dubious objections and claims about GMOs and illustrating why spreading these claims actually harms people who could benefit from biotechnology:
2. Do some research on GMOs:
PLEASE NOTE: genetic modification and engineering goes WAAAAAY beyond just food! Please make an effort to focus on ALL types of genetic engineering such as life saving medicines like insulin, amazing editing tools like CRISPR (What is CRISPR?), (Links to an external site.)textiles like cotton or even life saving vaccines: Yes, some COVID vaccines use genetic engineering…get over it! (Links to an external site.)
- Locate one film, short video, article or an interview (NOT an entire website) which is against genetically modified organisms i.e. anti-GMO. Watch it or read it and include a link and/or citation in your discussion post.
- Locate one film, short video, article or an interview (NOT an entire website) which is not opposed to genetically modified organisms i.e. pro-GMO Watch it or read it and include a link and/or citation in your discussion post.
- In 2020 food makers were required by law to use labels for all food containing genetically modified organisms. Check out this New York Times article about it:
NY Times – GMO Foods Will Soon Require Labels (Links to an external site.)
3. Write discussion post which is either FOR or AGAINST genetically modified organisms.
Your post should include but is not limited to the following:
- at least 400 words long (not including citations or links)
- information about ALL genetic engineering and modifying NOT just agriculture and food!
- make clear reference to the research and facts which led you to pick your position on GMOs
- include the two links and/or citations from step #2 above
- include at least one example of how GMOs could potentially be harmful AND at least one example of how GMOs could potentially be beneficial
- do you think the potential benefits outweigh the potential harm or vice versa?
- what do you think about how the USA currently regulates or monitors the use of GMOs in food?
- how has your opinion changed since researching GMOs?
- will your purchasing decisions change at all after learning more about GMOs?
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