GENETICA’S DILEMNA

Developed by Sheryl Shea, shshea@ashland-city.k12.oh.us

Ashland High School, Ashland, Ohio

 

In the coastal city of NATURIA…..

      The Acme Seed Company has genetically engineered a corn plant, to sell to Genetica, that has increased nutritional value and is resistant to insect damage. The company plans to test its new corn in the company’s test field. However there is some “resistance” from community members. The test plot is beside Naturia’s Municipal Wildlife Preserve, noted for its diverse insect populations.

The island of GENETICA….

     Known for its poor soil and frequent plagues of insects, Genetica has decided to contract with the Acme Seed Company of Naturia to supply their small island nation with improved-growth crops.   

 

 

 

 

 

 


THE TASK

 

    The Mayor of the City of Naturia has called for a city council meeting to decide whether to allow the Acme Seed Company to test and ultimately sell its corn. As a member of one of a special interest group, your job will be to present your views at the council meeting on the big question:

 

Should Acme Seed be allowed to test and sell their corn to Genetica?

 

 

The students will be divided up into teams of 3-4 people. Each classroom team will be assigned a role. To make sure your team members fully understand their roles, open the dossiers below to learn about each group's responsibilities.  Your group’s position must remain true to your agenda. Gather information to support your position. One member of your group will act as spokesperson and use the research information during the Naturia city council meeting.

 

Concerned Citizens of Naturia 

Friends of Nature Environmental group

Acme Seed Company

Island Country of Genetica

The Geneticists

         

 

 

THE PROCESS

 

1. GETTING STARTED

You have 4 days in the library to prepare your group’s position. You may also research on your own time. Your group must come to a consensus.  On Day 3 your group is required to submit a position paper of approximately one page to the Mayor (that’s Shea) for review. On Day 5, the Naturia City Council will meet.

 

2. WHERE TO START

          A good place to start reviewing the genetic engineering story is to read Field of Genes and  Genetically Engineered Corn 

 

3. PREPARING YOUR POSITION

·        Your group should read the background information link about your group.

·        As a member of a group, you’ll examine internet sites using the resource links and any other helpful sites you may find. Use the links listed under RESOURCES as a springboard towards further research.

·        Formulate your position. The group should come to a consensus about their position. Remember – you must remain true to your group’s views (not your personal feelings).

·        Design a 2-minute presentation.

·        Choose one person to present your views at the council meeting.

 

 

4. THE NATURIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES

          Each group will begin by making a two-minute presentation. Use charts, graphs, fact sheets, power point, pamphlets, persuasive communication.

 After the presentations, the spokespersons will debate the issue and develop a draft agreement. The draft will be taken back to each interest group and discussed. Spokespersons will then return to the negotiations table to re-write the draft.  This procedure will repeat until the class can come to a reasonable (or unreasonable) decision. Time schedule will be: 5 minutes to debate, 5 minutes to take proposal to group, discuss, 5-minute debate, etc, until consensus.

 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

www.whybiotech.com           Council for Biotechnology Information. Site includes ethical issues, benefits.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1999/02/99/food_under_the_microscope/newsid_280000/280868.stm        BBCNews. General overview of pros and cons

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1999/02/99/food_under_the_microscope/newsid_302000/302482.stm        BBCNews. Describes test for genetically modified food.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_262000/262616.stm  BBCNews. Article about some drawbacks of genetically engineered food.

 

http://www.alternativeparenting.com/health/genetically_engineered_foods_2.htm What are genetically altered food?  Short article on effects of GE crops. Written by a Canadian genetics professor.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_128000/128661.stm           UK Government want ban on GM foods killing birds

 

http://www.icta.org/legal/biolist.htm             International Center for Technology Assessment - list of foods

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/gen04.html      Article describing testing done on the effects of GE pollen on Monarch butterflies.

 

http://www.house.gov/kucinich/action/gef.htm        Proposed Congressional bill for labeling GE foods.

 

 http://www.howstuffworks.com/question148.htm What is genetically modified foods. “How stuff works” website with link to information about cell processes.

 

http://www.peoplesearth.org/supermarket.htm      Website concentrating on the negative aspects of genetically engineered foods. Includes lists of common foods.

 

http://www.motherjones.com/wto/soriano2.html     Environmental groups website against GE foods

 

http://www.globalissues.org/EnvIssues?GEFood/Media.asp      Personal website that looks at economic, political, and environmental sides of GE food and other environmental issues

 

http://www.safe-food.org      Strong views about the dangers of GE foods

 

http://www.truefoodnow.org              Greenpeace website against GE foods

 

http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/WhatisGeneticEng.html           Natural Law Party. Strong views against GE foods.

 

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/biocon.html           Center for Food Safety and Nutrition. Policy guidelines and lists of GE food, use, and company information.

 

www.ucsusa.org/agriculture/monarch.html Union of Concerned Scientist. Discusses BT Corn and Monarch Butterflies. Cornell University research.

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

As a group:  

  1. One member of the Naturia city council will write the decision agreed upon by all interested groups.

 

Individually:

  1. Have your views changed about genetically modified foods?
  2. How did our city council meeting differ from what may happen in the real world?
  3. Did any part of our negotiations drive you crazy?!
  4. What new things have you learned about genetically modified foods?
  5. What new things have you learned about yourself?
  6. What questions do you still have?

 

 

EVALUATION

 

Your grade will be based on a series of activities throughout the project. Assignments include:

Please click here to review the criteria on which your individual grade will be based.