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Genetics - Webquest
E. Lee
Genetically modified foods (GMF) have
been dubbed as “Frankenstein foods” by critics who fear they could pose dangers
to human health or the environment. Since 1994, GM crops have become common in
the American supermarket and diet. Many of these plants contain genes from
other organisms. Genetic modification has the potential to offer very significant
improvements in the quantity and quality of the world’s food supply. However,
there are concerns about the development and use of these genetic altered
foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has commissioned you to form a
research team to investigate whether GM food is safe for human
consumption. Your team will assess the
benefits and the risks of food biotechnology for an upcoming conference with
the president. Based on your team’s research you’ll need to convince the
president of your viewpoint.
In this WebQuest you will be working together with a team of
3 other students and each individual from your team will play one of the roles
listed below. (Environmentalist, Scientist, Consumer advocate, Legislator) Your
team will research the listed resources for your particular role and write a 3-page
research paper or a power point presentation with 12 slides.
You’ll decide amongst yourselves who will play each role. Each person has a
specific role as outlined below:
·
Environmentalist -
concerned with problems of the environment, especially with crops developed
from genetic engineering that may destroy the balance of nature
·
Scientist - concerned with the risks and benefits of
food biotechnology
·
Consumer Advocate
- a concerned citizen who is interested in the health risks that GM foods poses
Legislator - concerned with the regulations and legislation such as
restrictions, labeling etc. Format of the paper:
Your written paper should include all of the
following:
§
cover sheet: including: Topic, Title, Name,
Class Section, Due Date, Teacher
§
introduction: define the social problem
and reasons for public concern
§
body: viewpoint of each member’s
expertise may include graphs or other
statistics
§
conclusion:- suggest legislation and
solutions that will work
bibliography: create a complete listing of all the
materials you used in your research.
Your final
task will be to present a 3 minute oral report to the class on you research.
To complete your 3 page report or power
point presentation you must use the Public Policy Analyst format found
on the website http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppa/intro.html and complete
worksheet #4 (Evaluate a policy), #5 (Develop solutions) and #6(Select Best
Solutions). These forms must be
submitted as your group finishes them.
Your task is to collect and analyze
information from viewpoints from both sides of this hot issue on the website.
You will then formulate your own viewpoint in your particular field of
expertise. Each member will begin with some background information on how
genetically engineered food are produced and include answers to the following
questions in your presentation:
1. What are some examples of genetically engineered products?
2. How are they used and why are they used?
3. What are the potential benefits of genetically engineered foods?
4. What are the potential risks of genetically engineered foods?
5. Do you think the benefits outweigh the risks? Explain why.
6.
Are the present regulations controlling
GM foods adequate?
Remember you have a reputation to maintain and you must support
your statements with data and factual evidences. You are required to follow the
steps below:
Day 1
Research
listed websites that pertains to your field of expertise
Day 2
Write your
introduction with your team’s viewpoint
Day 3
Gather evidence:
Select 3 or more of the websites
listed to write a page on evidences supporting your viewpoint on the safety of
GM foods
Day 4
Complete worksheet #4: Evaluating Existing Public Policies Evaluating
Existing Public Policies in the
Day 5
Complete the
following two worksheets as a group. Be sure to
discuss these
answer among yourselves.
Worksheet 5: Developing Public Policy Solutions
Worksheet 6: Selecting the Best Public Policy Solution.
Day6
Write a conclusion supporting
your team’s viewpoint.
Viewpoints:
www.scope.educ.washington.edu/gmfood/ Cached
www.foodfuture.org.uk/ - 2k - Cached
http://www.organicconsumers.org
www.fullcoverage.yahoo.com/fc/Science/ Genetically_Modified_Food/
- 28k - Cached
GMfood.htm - 14k
- Cached
www.tara-source.com/youasked/dspace.dial.pipex.com/srtscot/gmfood1.htm - 15k - Cached
Genetically Modified foods Public Policy:
www.foodstuff.org/News/OnThePlate/bio-tech.htm - 10k - Cached
www.chipsbooks.com/genmodag.htm - 7k - Cached
http://www.usa.or.th/services/irc/bio_fs.htm
www.netlink.de/gen/Zeitung/1999/991024.htm - 8k - Cached
www.ascb.org/publicpolicy/gmo.htm - 29k - Cached
Grading Guidelines:
1- Oral
Presentation – 40 points
2- Research Report – 60 points
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Upon completion of this project, you will have an understanding
of the complexity and importance of how public awareness can help implement
policies to protect both the environment and well being of the general
public. You should have also learned the importance of teamwork and
cooperative learning. Our next Web Quest will
deal with the complex social problem of human genetic engineering. This has
raised political, social and religious issues that go far beyond the scope of
our present legal system. |
