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Frankenfoods?

The Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops

By Bill Rhodes, Maha M. Alkhazindar, Nancy A. Schiller

Frankenfoods?


 

Abstract

This discussion case, in which a university research laboratory is vandalized by environmental activists opposed to genetic engineering, focuses on the science and ethics of genetically modified crops. Students consider both the risks and benefits of biotechnology and explore the positions of various stakeholders, including environmentalists, conservationists, agricultural businesses, research scientists, and farmers. Originally written for a vegetable crops course, the case would be appropriate for a wide variety of courses in which biotechnology is discussed.

   

Date Posted

02/01/2001

Overview

Objectives

  • Debate the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified crops.
  • Become aware of the economic and socio-political issues associated with increasing corporate control of our food supply.
  • Discuss the ethics of modifying the genes of an organism.

Keywords

Genetically modified organism; GMO; agricultural biotechnology; plant genetics; food production; bio-piracy; developing world; environmental activism; bioethics

  

Subject Headings

Agriculture
Biotechnology
Botany / Plant Science
Food Science / Technology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Policy issues, Regulatory issues, Social justice issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Discussion, Jig-Saw, Role-Play, Debate

 

 

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