Genetic Engineering

One of my students’ favorite books is "James and the Giant Peach," a story about an orphaned boy who mistakenly drops some magic crystals near a peach tree and ends up embarking on the adventure of a lifetime in the resulting giant fruit. While stories like this one are obviously fiction, the existence of oversized fruits and vegetables is today a possibility. We are on the edge of a new age in science and food production: the age of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineers specialize in redesigning crops and other foods so they are bigger, produce more fruit, or are more resistant to pests, disease, and changes in weather. For example, engineers have been able to combine the genes of an arctic salmon and a tomato to produce tomatoes that are more resistant to cold temperatures. 

However, if not carefully tested and monitored, genetically engineered products can have negative effects as well. For example, a specific type of bacteria gene was combined with corn to kill a type of insect pest when it fed on corn crops.  However, the newly engineered corn also killed helpful insects as well. It is very important to understand the consequences of genetically engineered products before placing them on the market.

Have your students conduct some research on genetically engineered organisms. Then ask them to choose a food or animal product to genetically alter. They should think carefully about the benefits and consequences of the new product and write a report that contains the following information:

• What plant or animal will you genetically alter? 
• Which genes from another organism will you use to alter the plant or animal?
• How will this change affect the plant or animal?
• How will this change affect the environment in which the plant or animal lives?
• How will this change benefit humankind?
• What are the possible consequences of genetically engineering this plant or animal?
• Would you have trouble getting this new plant or animal approved by the government?  Why or why not?
• You may include sketches of your new plant or animal.

As an extension, students can present their reports to the class.  Debate the benefits and consequences of each new plant or animal, and vote as a group on whether or not to approve the research and production of this new organism. 

In order to delve more deeply into the topic of genetic engineering, try one of the following lesson plans.

Genetic Engineering Lesson Plans:

Peanut Butter Broccoli 

In this lesson students learn about selective breeding and genetic engineering. They discuss the traits of various food items, and how these can be combined to produce different foods. Students create a class graph to show the results of their investigations.

Genetically Modified Foods: What Do You Think? 

Students do research to find out about genetically modified foods. They find several examples they can discuss. Afterwards, they participate in a forum to debate the ethics of genetically altering foods.

Altered Genes

This lesson has students delve into the relationship between farmers, food production companies, and consumers. Using an article called "New Trade Threat for U.S. Farmers," students discuss how consumers feel about genetically-altered food in the U.S. and around the world. After discussing this issue, students write an essay.