Picture: Most GMO crops are RoundUp-ready
You attend a biotechnology symposium. A panel of speakers plans to discuss the future of gene manipulation in various life sciences fields. You have been asked to introduce this panel. In this 4-5 minute speech,:
· Explain what a clone is.
- · Discuss the potential of genetic modification in research, agriculture, and medicine. Provide some real world examples to introduce the topic.
- · Explain how genetic engineering could become more significant in the future with new technology like CRISPR or gene therapy.
- · Suggest possible ethical questions in the area of genetic modification/genetic engineering.
Following the presentation, you and a bioethicist at the convention visit the bar. After a few drinks, you get into a lively debate about the use of GMOs in medicine and agriculture, and you do not agree on this topic. Provide opposing perspectives about
- · The ethics of creating and copyrighting organisms for research or agriculture
- · Analyze how GM crops could help or hurt food production and global nutrition
- · Discuss the potential of gene therapy and new technologies like CRISPR
- · Suggest what limits should exist on genetic modification
Related videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIM38NlkWEo – overview; includes insulin example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZZH7mJ9ono – the Oncomouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayv_EYi43E8 – golden rice (slightly longer, but a very interesting use of GMO in agriculture not for pesticide/herbicide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sweN8d4_MUg – longer video, CRISPR explained in 5 levels of difficulty (1-3 could be useful, 4-5 useful after if students want to listen in English about this topic)
