Class: 18 | GMO Consequences
Main Theme:
GMOs are integral to modern application of biotechnology, basis of medical research and drug production in many areas, and modern agricultural practices.
Learning Objectives
- Appreciate benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Clarify concerns about GMOs
- Evaluate case studies of GMOs
- Prioritize biodiversity
Pre-class activity/activities:
Heads Up:
Materials for class:
Due Today:
Assign Today:
Habitat Worksheet & bring picture of endangered species to class on Friday.
http://nautil.us/issue/101/in-our-nature/what-the-deer-are-telling-us-rp
Next class:
Biodiversity
Lesson Plan:
A. 20 min
Learning objectives & Review artificial selection, GM & cloning.
B. 30 min
Benefits and uses of GMOs in agriculture and medicine using GMO case-studies of Bt Maize, & Golden rice & transgenic, green fluorescent mice.
C. 25 min
Environmental and economic, aspects of GMOs – current unanswered ethical questions with case-studies of herbicide resistance in weeds and MRSA appearance.
D. 1 min
Homework – complete genetics, start habitat & bring picture of endangered species & know reason it is endangered for Friday.
Post Class Notes
Just a bit too much material for complete social consequences and Captain America discussion. Students interested in MRSA evolution, most could list the concerns environmentally, economically & socially. Took some probing to get them to recognize benefits of GMOs outside of agriculture.
Resources:
NPR article on DNA manipulation in humans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism
http://www.strong-process.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/scary-GMO-facts.jpg
