GMOs:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had their DNA artificially altered, often by the addition of one or more genes from other organisms. Many food crops have been genetically modified; modification of other is pending.
GMOs are a source of controversy because proponents see them as the way to improve nutrition, disease and drought resistance; increase crop yields, and have a positive effect on the economies of developing nations.
Opponents believe such organisms can compromise other genetic stock, produce new allergens, and have a negative effect on the economies of developing nations. Research genetically modified food plants and evaluate the pros and cons of their development and use in food products.
Your report should include the following:
• What GMO food plants are currently planted in your country? (6 pts)
• What genetic modification have been made to the above listed plants? (6 pts)
• Describe, in detail, the process of creating a GMO plant. (Hint: Refer to Chapter 13.2 in your textbook.) (6 pts)
• Why aren’t foods made with GMO products required to be labeled as such? (5 pts)
• Why have GMO food crops been an issue within the World Trade Organization (https://www.wto.orq/ )? (5 pts)
• What demonstrated benefits have been observed in GMO food crops? (5 pts)
• What demonstrated problems have been observed in GMO food crops? (5 pts) •
Using your knowledge of plant reproduction, research what type of pollination strategies are practiced by the food crops that currently include GMO varieties.
How might the pollination strategy increase or decrease the likelihood of genetic contamination of nearby, non-GMO plants? (Hint: Think about the terms the need defined.) (5 pts)
Project 1
131 SCIH 026
• Explain the controversy over patenting life forms and summarize the legal issues that have ensued. (5 pts)
• What regulations exist for planting and selling GMO food crops, and for including them in human food? (Hint: What does World Trade or FDA say?) (5 pts) •
Terms to include and define in your report are: transgenic, intraspecies gene transfer, interspecies gene transfer, cross pollination, terminator technology, and patent. (1 pt for each term that is included and 1 pt for each term that is defined-total of 12 points)
• Be sure to include in your conclusion your opinion, based on stated facts, on the advisability of continuing to use/expanding on this technology. (5 pts)
You may use the resources available to you to complete this project. You are encouraged to do at least some of your research online, and to make sure that you have the most up-to-date statistics.
Resource websites you may want to check out for more information include checking page 680 in your textbook, Google Percy Schmeiser, and access the following:
https://monsanto.com/ https://www.usda.gov/ https*//www organicconsumers org/
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