Lesson 6: Genetic Engineering

Suggested Time: 60 mins
Overview
Students will become familiar with genetic engineering and the current debate over GMOs (or genetically modified organisms), then form debate teams around this topic in order to come up with compromises and beneficial solutions.
Vocabulary
Objectives
Required Project Materials
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Genetic Engineering (20 mins)
  1. As necessary, students will interact with “Tiki’s Guide to Genetic Engineering.” Start with “Welcome to Gene Tinkering” at http://tiki.oneworld.net/genetics/GE5.html and use the bottom right arrow to read through “So What is Genetic Engineering?”, followed by “What’s Wrong with Genetic Engineering?”, “Why the Rush?”, and “What the Companies are Making Now?”, “Poisonous Plants,” “Scattering Genes,” and “What About the Future?”
  2. Go over a few main points from Scientific American’s “Agriculture’s Sustainable Future: Breeding Better Crops.”
  3. Review readings from Genetic Engineering .
Part 2: Debate Teams (40 mins)
  1. Ask the students what their opinions are on GE now that they’ve learned this information. If some are pro and some are against, separate them into debate teams. Structure the debate so that each side has to present their argument and then respond to the other’s arguments. Neutral or deciding students can serve as the judges.
  2. If everyone is neutral or sees both sides, or most people agree on one side, lead a mock debate and ask students to use the arguments each side would make.
  3. To further challenge your students, have them argue the viewpoint that is opposite of what they personally believe.
  4. Score the debate using a standard rubric.
  5. Work with the class to come up with a safer, slower way to develop GE. What are some compromises and solutions that should be put into place?
  6. Ask the students: what are the interests of each type of person involved in this debate? What if you operated a family farm? What if you were a GE scientist? What if you were a corporate executive?
  7. Have the two debate teams work together to draw up a written agreement on how to move forward with GE in an ethical manner.
Homework:
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