The Food We Eat
What is biotechnology?Click here to read about the field of
biotechnology.Answer the following questions:When was biotechnology
first introduced to agriculture and food?What is the difference
between cross-breeding crops and genetically engineered food?Why
would a farmer benefit from planting genetically modified crops or
breeding genetically engineered animals?In what way does the
article suggest that consumers benefit from eating genetically
modified foods?According to the article, what risks are associated
with growing and consuming genetically modified food?+Genetically
Modified FoodsClick here to read about genetically modified
foods.Answer the following questions:What is the difference between
the terms genetic modification and biotechnology?What are the
proposed benefits of genetically modified food to our environment
and society?What are the proposed risks of genetically modified
food to our environment and society?What does the future hold for
genetically modified foods?+The New York Times and ABC NewsClick
here to read an article published in the New York Times that
discusses consumer reactions to GM foods. Click here for an article
published on ABC News about the same topic.According to the polls,
what percentage of New York Times readers are bothered by the
presence of genetically engineered ingredients in the food that
they eat? What percentage of people polled in the ABC News article
think that GM foods are unsafe?Do you think that labeling and
stricter regulations on their production would change consumers
minds about GM foods?+New ScientistClick here to view a publication
on NewScientist.com that discusses genetically modified foods from
a scientific perspectiveAre GM foods more common in Europe than in
the U.S.? Why or why not?What are the potential worldwide benefits
of GM foods?Why are some people scared of GM foods?Does the field
of biotechnology have any impact on other areas of
science?+Bio.orgBio.org is a private corporation that advocates the
production of GM foods. Click here to access an article on their
site that addresses GM food safety issues.What are the benefits of
producing and consumer GM foods as presented by Bio.org?What risks
of consuming GM foods are discussed, if any?Do you agree with the
proponents of biotechnology that run this site and have written
this article?+Organicconsumers.orgClick here to visit Organic
Consumers, a .org site run by an environmentalist group. Read a few
articles that have been published on this site about GM foods.What
risks do the articles suggest are associated with consuming GM
foods?What benefits of GM food production are presented, if any?Do
you agree with the environmentalists that run this site?+Food,
IncFood, Inc is 2008 documentary on food production.
+FDA EvaluationsClick here to access a list of bioengineered
foods that have been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration.What seems to be the most common reason that foods
are genetically engineered?Knowing what you know about the risks
and benefits of GM foods, do you think that GM foods should be
banned or further regulated by the FDA?
+Your TheoryIn your group, discuss your findings from each
source and compare your opinions about biotechnology and GM
foods.Do you all agree on whether or not GM foods are safe to
consume and produce? Its ok if the answer is no!What do you think
is the most beneficial about GM production?What are the biggest
risks that are associated with GM production?Formulate a written
theory that you can all contribute to and prepare a presentation to
share with your classmates.+