Introducing Genetically Modified crops and the next two assignments

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Introducing Genetically Modified crops and the
next two assignments
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Structure of todays class

• 1. Introducing genetic modification
• 2. Introducing the two assignments
• 3. Questions

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What are genes?

• Each of our cells contains tens of thousands of
  genes, which are like instructions
• These instructions work together to determine
  everything from our body shape to eye color
• These same principles apply to all living
  organisms, including plants
• For thousands of years farmers have selected
  plants with the characteristics they want, such
  as rounder pumpkins or fatter cattle, by crossing
  the best plants and animals

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Genetic Modification (GM)

• Because genes get shuffled about, traditional
  biotechnology is imprecise
• Since 1950s, scientists have become more involved
  in the process of cross-breeding of plants and
  animals
• More recently Genetic Modification techniques
  have allowed farmers to copy or delete genes with
  specific known qualities across species barriers

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Key Terms

• GM technology is also sometimes called modern
  biotechnology, gene technology, recombinant
  DNA technology or genetic engineering
• This course focuses mainly on the use of GM in
  producing new agricultural crops

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Commercial application of GM

• Large corporations like Monsanto have become
  involved in manufacturing GM crops
• Key examples are cotton in India and soy beans in
  Brazil

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Commercial application of GM

• Large corporations like Monsanto have become
  involved in manufacturing GM crops
• Key examples are cotton in India and soy beans in
  Brazil

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GM Controversy

• Environmental debate what is the impact of
  creating GM crops?
• Health debate are GM foodstuffs safe for us to
  eat?
• Economic debate who benefits from the expansion
  of GM crops?
• Ethical debate is it right for us to tamper
  with nature in this way?
• Political debate who regulates the research and
  application of GM?

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Key interest groups in relation to GM

• Corporations
• Farmers
• Environmentalists
• Consumers
• Scientists
• National Governments
• NGOs

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Why is this debate important?

• GM technology could change farming and industrial
  manufacturing processes throughout the world
• Supporters of GM claim that it could help to
  solve many of the worlds environmental and
  economic problems, such as hunger, poverty, and
  land degradation.

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Why is this debate important to the Geog 270
course?

• GM has become an important means through which
  people think about development
• The GM debate reveals the continued importance of
  key development ideas
• The GM issue helps us appreciate the POLITICAL
  and CONTESTED nature of development ideas

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What am I being asked to do?

• You have two assignments in relation to the GM
  issue a presentation and a six page essay
• You have some choice over when you give your
  presentations and this is explained in the
  assignment handouts (also attached to the web).
• Both the presentation and essay involve you doing
  research on the GM issue using the information
  resources on course website

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What is the point in doing these assignments?

• The first GM assignment will give you insights
  into the views of different players in the GM
  debate and will develop your oral communication
  skills.
• The second assignment will help you to develop a
  more broadly critical approach to the GM issue
  and enhance your writing skills.
• Both assignments address all three of the course
  learning outcomes explained in the syllabus

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Is there anything novel about the assignments?

• Yes. I will assume the characters of two people
  associated with the GM debate Bob Business, who
  will present in this class on 10/25 and Greg
  Green, who will present on 10/26
• Bob Business represents a corporation producing
  GM products, Greg Green is an environmentalist
  and anti-GM campaigner

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The first assignment in a little more detail

• The first GM assignment (presentation) asks you
  to look at a particular stakeholder within the
  GM debate and use their position to criticize Bob
  and Gregs views
• You can assume a character if you want and make
  your presentation entertaining or you can give
  your presentation quite straight
• You will probably find it easier to focus on one
  aspect of the GM debate, such as environmental
  concerns or economic questions

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The second assignment in more detail

• The second assignment (the six-page paper)
  requires you to write a broader critical essay on
  Bobs and Gregs speeches that critically
  assesses the arguments of various stakeholders
  in the GM debate
• Again, you can focus on one aspect of the GM
  debate or several aspects
• You can use the research you did for your
  presentation for this paper (but you will also
  have to do extra research)

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Resources

• See the link to information resources on the
  website
• If you have any questions, you can contact me,
  Elise or Dena directly or via the course
  discussion board