WebQuest: WebQuest: Genetically Modified Genetically Modified

FoodFood

by by

Elena M. García PaullierElena M. García Paullier

20102010

Genetic engineers believe they Genetic engineers believe they can improve the food we eat by can improve the food we eat by modifying the DNA of living modifying the DNA of living organisms. organisms.

For example, tomatoes are For example, tomatoes are sensitive to frost. This shortens sensitive to frost. This shortens their growing season. Fish, on their growing season. Fish, on the other hand, survive in very the other hand, survive in very cold water. cold water.

Scientists identified a particular gene Scientists identified a particular gene which enables to resist cold and used which enables to resist cold and used the technology of genetic engineering the technology of genetic engineering to insert this 'anti-freeze' gene into a to insert this 'anti-freeze' gene into a tomato. This makes it possible to tomato. This makes it possible to extend the growing season of the extend the growing season of the tomato.tomato.

At first glance, this might look At first glance, this might look exciting to some people. Deeper exciting to some people. Deeper consideration reveals serious dangers. consideration reveals serious dangers.

By the end of this lesson, you and your By the end of this lesson, you and your group will answer these questions and group will answer these questions and more:more:

1.1.What is genetic engineering?What is genetic engineering?

2.2.What is genetically modified food (GM What is genetically modified food (GM

Food)?Food)?

3.3.What are the advantages?What are the advantages?

4.4.What are the disadvantages?What are the disadvantages?

5.5.Ho do we recognize GM Food?Ho do we recognize GM Food?

First, each participant will have a First, each participant will have a

copy of the worksheet. To answer copy of the worksheet. To answer

the questions given above, you'll the questions given above, you'll

break into teams of four. Within break into teams of four. Within

the team, each of you will take on the team, each of you will take on

one of the following roles:one of the following roles:

The Time Keeper:The Time Keeper:

You value time a lotYou value time a lot

so you will keep track so you will keep track

of the time in order to of the time in order to finish finish

as scheduled. as scheduled.

The Speaker: The Speaker:

You like speaking in You like speaking in

public, so you will tell public, so you will tell

the rest of the class your the rest of the class your

team’s answers.team’s answers.

The Note-Taker: The Note-Taker:

You write quickly and well, You write quickly and well, so so

you will be in charge of you will be in charge of

writing down the final writing down the final

answers to the answers to the

questions.questions.

The Computer Expert:The Computer Expert:

You love browsing theYou love browsing the

Internet, so you will be in Internet, so you will be in

charge of looking for charge of looking for

the information the information

requested. requested.

Individually, you'll examine each of Individually, you'll examine each of the sites and use the worksheet to jot the sites and use the worksheet to jot down some notes of your answers. down some notes of your answers.

You'll need to examine each site You'll need to examine each site fairly quickly. But don't spend more fairly quickly. But don't spend more than 10 – 15 minutes on any one site. than 10 – 15 minutes on any one site.

The time-keeper will tell you when The time-keeper will tell you when you’re working too slowly.you’re working too slowly.

When everyone in the team has When everyone in the team has

seen all the sites, it's time to get seen all the sites, it's time to get

together to answer the questions. together to answer the questions.

Pay attention to each of the other Pay attention to each of the other

answers, even if at first you think answers, even if at first you think

you might disagree with them.you might disagree with them.

Negotiate the best answer for each Negotiate the best answer for each

question.question.

The time-keeper in each team The time-keeper in each team

should record the team's final should record the team's final

answer.answer.

When debriefing time is called, When debriefing time is called,

report your results to the whole report your results to the whole

class. class.

http://www.globalchange.com/geneticengin.htmInformation about genetic engineeringInformation about genetic engineering

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.phpInformation about advantages of genetically modified Information about advantages of genetically modified foodfood

http://www.safe-food.org/-issue/dangers.html://www.safe-food.org/-issue/dangers.htmlInformation about the dangers of genetically modified Information about the dangers of genetically modified foodfood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineeringhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_foodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_foodGeneral informationGeneral information

Watch the video to find a way to recognize GM Watch the video to find a way to recognize GM FoodFood

Were all answers the same?Were all answers the same?

What new information did you What new information did you learn in this lesson?learn in this lesson?

What other aspects of GM Food What other aspects of GM Food would you like to explore?would you like to explore?

What’s your opinion about working What’s your opinion about working with WebQuests?with WebQuests?