Heath School Science

1. Watch this video on  Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding. Then watch the Bt Corn video so you can compare how plants are being genetically modified by new technologies. In your group, discuss whetheror not you think corn should be genetically modified and why.

2. Become a Genetic Engineer! Do the Engineer a Crop: Transgenic Manipulation Web activities, including both “Selective Breeding” and “Transgenic Manipulation.” (Note: In order to go from one activity to the other, you must click on the “Engineer a Crop” title at the bottom of the page.) Then, in your group,  discuss the similarities and differences between selective breeding and transgenic manipulation.

3. Should we grow GM crops? Do the Should We Grow GM Crops? Web activity. How did your vote change as you progressed through the activity? Which arguments most influenced your decision?

4. What does the Future hold? Explore the Guess What’s Coming to Dinner? Web activity. Choose one of the bioengineered products or organisms described in the site and write a futuristic story about how it is produced, its uses, and positive and negative impacts on society.