Intro to Genetic Engineering

Genetically Modified Foods

​What would you do in the following situations?

Based on the scenarios from the Learn Genetics website you were previously assigned (SINB#85). Respond to the following questions. Be prepared to discuss your responses.

Poll

TOMATO FARMER: If you were this tomato farmer would you use the new strain of tomato plant that produces a natural pesticide?

• Yes

• No

Poll

FAMILY PHYSICIAN: If you were this family physician would you reccommend genetically modified fruits and vegetables that contain various vaccines?

• Yes

• No

Poll

LEADER OF DEVELOPING NATION: Would you allow and promote genetically modified rice plants that can thrive in salt water, providing your nation with the opportunity to feed its citizens while bolstering its economy?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Select

Select all of the reasons genetically modified foods are beneficial.

• produce larger and higher quality crops

• less effort and expense than selectively breeding plants

• less time than selectively breeding crops

• it is easy to control how GMOs cross-breed in the wild.

• There is NO concern that the protein products of introduced genes may be toxic or allergenic to certain individuals.

Multiple Choice

It has been estimated that at least 70% of all processed foods in the United States contain at least one genetically modified ingredient.

• True

• False

In the U.S., several crops are almost entirely genetically modified. These include corn, soybeans, canola, sugar beets, cotton, papaya and, to a lesser extent, alfalfa.

In processed foods, they show up as sugars, syrups, oils, emulsifiers and other additives. It is estimated that up to 80% of processed foods contain GMOs.

Meanwhile corn and soy constitute the bulk of the feed consumed by cattle, hogs and poultry, while alfalfa is a major component of feed for dairy cows. In other words: most of the animal products you eat depend on GMOs

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of selective breeding?

• seedless watermelons

• sweet corn

• rose bushes

• purebred dogs

• pest resistant tomatoes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a plasmid? 

• A section of DNA

• Circular DNA found in bacteria

• DNA that has genes from different organisms

• A bundle of DNA

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a recombinant DNA?

• A section of DNA

• Circular DNA found in bacteria

• DNA that has genes from different organisms

• A bundle of DNA

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the function of restriction enzymes?

• Cutting DNA

• Repairing DNA

Multiple Choice

The process to the right is best used for which of the following?

• Cloning humans

• Creating antibiotics

• Creating human insulin

• Causing cells to divide