Thesis

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Lesson: Genetically Modified Organisms (1-3 50 minute classes)

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Learning Objectives:

* Students will explain what genetically modified foods are and how they are created.

* Students will use appropriate vocabulary to describe and effectively discuss the benefits and potential risks of, genetically modified foods.

* Students will identify foods that they consume or encounter that do or likely contain genetically modified organisms and those that do not.

* Students will discuss critically some of the issues that surround the GMO debate to include: globalization, safety, labeling, and impact on family farms.

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References, materials, equipment and other resources:

Construction paper, markers, power point presentation, homework sheet and follow along notes sheet.

Articles:

* http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june00/food_4-4.html

* http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment/july-dec99/seeds_8-12.html

* http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec02/zambia.html

References:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/science/gmofoods.html

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Introduction: (10-30 minutes)

Teacher will introduce the topic of genetically modified organisms using the text below as a reference.

GMOs are genetically modified organisms. These organisms have, in some way, had their genome altered (the "genome" is the total of all the genes in an organism of a specific species).

The creation of GMOs involves using recombinant technology to place genes from one organism into another of a different species to confer some trait. For example, Monsanto Company has placed a gene from a soil bacterium into the genome of a potato plant, giving the potato plant resistance to a common pest, the Colorado...