GMO (7th)

GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms


What they are and can you tell them apart?

Developing resistant crops

• Genetic engineering or biotechnology involves inserting specific pieces of DNA into the genetic makeup of organisms.

• Genetically modified organisms can be developed for pest and herbicide resistance, although some groups are opposed to the use of genetically modified organisms.

Genetically Modified Crops

Poll

Should food producers have to label if their food contains GMOs?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Are GMOs safe to eat?

• Yes

• No

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Multiple Choice

Some scientists believe that the creation of a new kind of rice that produces vitamin A could help...

• save the rapidly declining population of monarch butterflies

• solve food shortages in undeveloped nations throughout the world

• prevent blindness in places where people’s diets lack vitamin A

• cease the spread of airborne diseases that attack and destroy crops

Multiple Select

What some purposes of GMOs?

• Help farmers prevent crop loss

• Longer lasting, more shelf stable food

• Less diversity between food

• Less nutritious food

Let's review GMO's in the context of Argumentative Language

Key Terms

• Evidence is a form of proof used to support claims in argument. Some examples are: statistics, expert opinions, documents and studies, witness accounts. It should be:

• 1. valid--- based on justifiable reason and truth

• 2. relevant--- connected directly to the claim

• 3. sufficient--- adequately supports its purpose in the argument

Key Terms

• delineate-- a reader/listener has to determine an argument's claims and evidence (whether or not the evidence is valid, relevant, & sufficient) in order to be able to describe it in detail

• evaluates-- a reader/listener determines whether or not the argument is strong enough to be convincing

Comparing Arguments

Read the argument that follows and try to delineate the position and how the author supports it.

Example Argument #1

(1) Do you grow a vegetable garden? If you don't, then you definitely should. Even if you live in an apartment, you can grow a garden on your balcony or even on a windowsill. But if you do have one, then you know how good vegetables are that are grown without pesticides or genetic modification. There is a great difference between vegetables you grow yourself and those that you find in grocery stores. Homegrown vegetables taste better because they do not contain GMOs.

(2) Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, do not just taste bad. They are dangerous for people to eat, especially small children. They are made in laboratories using scientific techniques that do not happen in nature. Some people like to defend GMOs by comparing them to the plants that ancient people developed through selective breeding over the course of many centuries, like corn, carrots, and watermelon. But the work that is being done today by scientists is completely different.

Multiple Choice

Example #1 demonstrates an ineffective argument. Which paragraph in Example #1 is irrelevant and should not be included in the argument?

• Paragraph 1

• Paragraph 2

• Paragraph 3

Now read Example Argument 2

Try to delineate the author's claims and evidence. Determine what makes it a better argument than Example 1?

Example 2

(1) GMOs are being hailed as a solution to all of the world's problems with hunger, malnutrition, and food supply. But evidence will show that they are not as great as people may think--instead, they are a potential danger to us all, and one that should be avoided. Unfortunately, the lack of labeling laws makes it nearly impossible for the average consumer to avoid theses genetically modified foods.

(2) People who support GMOs are very quick to point out that foods can be genetically modified to boost their nutritional value. However, doctors in the United States are quick to advise pregnant women and the very ill to avoid them! The reason is that not enough is known about their long term health effects. More research is needed before we can assume them to be safe.

Multiple Choice

Example 2 is a stronger argument than Example 1 even though both take the same position on the same subject.

Which ONE of the following choices did NOT provide sufficient support for claims in Example 2?

• It uses exclamation marks to emphasize important points.

• It uses expert opinion.

• It uses objective evidence such as statistics, dates, and data.

Multiple Choice

Determine if the following statement is objective/fact or subjective/opinion:

"In the United States, 94 percent of soybeans and 88 percent of corn is genetically modified."

• objective/fact

• subject/opinion

Multiple Choice

The Flavr Savr tomato is a genetically modified organism that has a longer shelf life.

• True

• False

Flavr Savr Tomato

The Flavr Savr tomato was the first genetically modified organism and was modified by turning off a gene that delayed ripening and extended its shelf life by two weeks.

Multiple Choice

The GloFish is a genetically modified zebrafish that can "glow" in the dark.

• True

• False

GloFish

The GloFish is a zebrafish that had a gene from a bioluminescent jellyfish added to its DNA. DNA from different coral species has also been added to get all of the different colors

Multiple Choice

The Graisin is a genetically modified giant raisin grown in Japan.

• True

• False

Graisin

The graisin or giant raisin is not (currently) something that is real.

Multiple Choice

BioSteel is a type of silk that is made from the milk of genetically modified goats.

• True

• False

BioSteel Goats

Goats have been genetically modified with the DNA from the golden orb weaver spider to produce spider silk in their milk.

Multiple Choice

The Ashera cat is a genetically modified, hypoallergenic cat that has had wild cat DNA inserted into its own DNA.

• True

• False

Ashera Cat

While the Ashera Cat is hypoallergenic and does have the DNA of several wild large cats combined with a domestic house-cat, the Ashera was a product of traditional selective breeding, not genetic engineering. The Ashera Cat sells for $20,000 or more.

Multiple Choice

Bacteria have been genetically modified to produce human insulin to help diabetics.

• True

• False

Insulin-Producing Bacteria

E. Coli and Saccharomyces bacteria are used to "grow" human insulin, which is then harvested for use by diabetics. This use of genetically-modified bacteria was the first type.

Multiple Choice

The Tiny Piney is a small pine tree (2 cm tall) that was genetically modified as a source for pine-tree smell.

• True

• False

Tiny Piny

The small pine tree will eventually grow into a large pine tree and has not been genetically modified (at this point). Pine scent is harvested from full grown pine tree sap.

Poll

Should GMO products be labeled?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What are some concerns raised by critics of GMOs?

• Potential risks to human health and the environment

• Increased nutritional value

• Reduced pesticide use

• Enhanced crop yields

Multiple Choice

Advantage or Disadvantage of GMOs? Crops are resistant to pests, weeds, and fungus.

• Advantage

• Disadvantage

Multiple Choice

Advantage or Disadvantage of GMOs? Lack of safety testing.

• Advantage

• Disadvantage

Multiple Choice

Advantage or Disadvantage of GMOs? Helps meet global demands for food.

• Advantage

• Disadvantage

Multiple Choice

Advantage or Disadvantage of GMOs? Reduces the chances of passing on undesired traits.

• Advantage

• Disadvantage

Multiple Choice

What is a good argument for genetically modifying animals?

• Produce more meat

• Figure out how to make Spiderman

• Modifying your kids to make them more awesome

• New genes are needed to create new species