Groups of students research the issue from one of four points of view. Their group creates a presentation for the class ("The Student Conference on Food Biotechnology") from that point of view. Points of view: Environmentalist, Scientist, Consumer Advocate, Legislator. Will the media be there to cover this event? You never know!

1. Introduction - A general description of the project meant to get you motivated

2. The Task - After you know what group you are in, read about your group's task and complete it. (two periods?)

3. Resources - Your group should use the Internet Links to get information for your presentation.

4. Tutorials - Links to Appleworks and Powerpoint slide show tutorials.

5. Evaluation Rubric- The group presentation will be evaluated at the "The Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" using the rubric. (one to two periods used for presentations)

6. Follow-Up - If time allows, form groups with people from the four viewpoints and have them try to reach a consensus.

7. Conclusion - A closing thought.

Introduction

Imagine this...an orange that contains all the nutrients in a multivitamin, a tomato with more flavor as well as cancer fighting substances, sweeter strawberries, a potato that produces healthier french fries, allergen-free peanuts, a rice high in beta-carotene as well as bananas that deliver needed vaccines. Is this science fiction or real science? It's real science and it is happening in laboratories today as genetically engineered foods. To many scientists this is a very exciting time to enter a new frontier called food biotechnology.

But now, what about fruits and vegetables that contain a gene from a bacterium that make these crops more insect resistant? Would you want to eat these foods? What if these crops found their way into our food supply right now? This actually happened in September 2000!

Many people are afraid of this new technology and are calling these new genetically modified foods 'Frankenstein' foods. Should we be concerned? Are these foods safe to eat? How would these new crops affect the environment? Are these genetically modified foods everything they promise to be by their proponents? Or are they something to fear according to several advocacy groups?

Are you ready for the new foods of the 21st century? Are you ready to explore the risks and benefits of genetically engineered foods? Should we consider food biotechnology a friend or a foe?

What are genetically engineered foods and are they dangerous to our health and to the environment? Everybody in your group needs to complete the task, using a series of Internet links.

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The Task

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a team of students. Each team of students will complete assigned tasks that will assist them in answering "The Quest". As a member of the group you will explore the topic of "Genetically Engineered Foods" from various resources on the web. You will be reading pages from the web, which may have vocabulary words you do not know. Please feel free to use Dictionary.com or a dictionary in your classroom.

You will begin with everyone in your team exploring some background information on genetically engineered foods. Where do we begin?

Use the Internet information linked below to explore the basic questions on the topic:

1.) What is food biotechnology?
2.) What are genetically engineered foods?
3.) What are the potential benefits of genetically engineered foods overall?
4.) What are the potential risks of genetically engineered foods overall?

• Use the Internet links provided for you above, as well as doing your own research in the school and public libraries. Ask your parents for information as well.
  
• If you look at the articles on the computer, then copy the sections you feel are important by copying and pasting it into a word processor.
  
• Cite all references by remembering to write down or to copy and paste the URL of the files you used to complete this project.

Your first task is to meet with other participants of like roles at the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" and to develop a statement, as a group, to present at this conference.

This statement will be an opinion supported by facts that is reached by your specific group. It should illustrate the group's viewpoint concerning genetically engineered foods as it addresses the specific questions outlined for your role. The statement must address the specific topic assigned to your role for this conference. It will include a five to ten minute presentation as well as the written statement.

Your group is also expected to have visuals such as a poster, video, photographs or a slide show etc. as part of your presentation for the class. All team members of your group are expected to do a part of the five to ten minute presentation. Submit your team's written statement to your teacher upon the completion of this project .

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Internet Links

University of Washington - The appearance of genetically modified foods in the marketplace has resulted in a firestorm of public debate, scientific discussion, and media coverage. A variety of ecologogical and human health concerns come with the new advances made possible by genetic modification. ...

Greenpeace - Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a way that does not occur naturally. ...

Health Canada - Developments in food science and biotechnology are resulting in "novel foods", also called genetically modified foods. ...

* Environmental Hazards of Genetically Engineered Plants - This article was found on the Friends of the Earth web site. It outline the possible hazards of genetically modified foods to the environment.

NewScientist.com - GM crops can be worse for environment - The world's largest ever trial finds two of the three crops tested had a greater impact on farmland wildlife than conventional crops - 16 Oct 03 ...

Article found on CNN.com - regarding the recall of Kraft foods 'Taco Bell' taco shells ...

Seed Company Drops Biotech Corn in Wake of Second Recall -

Cambridge Scientific Abstracts - Genetically-modified foods (GM foods) have made a big splash in the news lately. European environmental organizations and public interest groups have been actively protesting against GM foods for months, and recent controversial studies about the effects ...

Health Risks Associated with GE Foods - This article was found on the Friends of the Earth web site.

National Centre for Biotechnology Education, 2004 - In February 1996, J. Sainsbury and Safeway Stores in the United Kingdom introduced Europe's first genetically-modified food product. The modified tomatoes were grown in America, but ...

The Need for Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods - This article was found on the Friends of the Earth web site.

Background on Food Biotechnology - March 2002 - For centuries, humans have been selecting, sowing and harvesting seeds that produce food products that will sustain them. Global food demand has increased the need for improved crops. Biotechnology has offered the needed technology to produce more nutritious and better tasting foods, higher crop yields and plants that are naturally protected from disease and insects.

Food Biotechnology: Enhancing Our Food Supply - Sept. 2000 - A brochure developed by the International Food Information Council Foundation to describe the benefits of food biotechnology and genetically engineered foods.

Tutorials:

Appleworks Slide Show Tutorial | Appleworks Slide Show Tutorial #2 | Powerpoint Tutorial | Powerpoint Tutorial #2 |

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Environmentalist

You are a world-renowned environmentalist from a major advocacy group. You have been asked to assess the risks and benefits of food biotechnology from an environmentalist point of view for an upcoming conference.
Your main concern is that crops developed from genetic engineering may overcome or destroy the balance of nature. You are also concerned with the need to feed the world's population while balancing the needs for the environment.
Your task is to collect and analyze information from multiple viewpoints and then formulate a statement to present at the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" held at your school.
Your topic at the conference is:
"Are genetically engineered foods destroying our environment?"
You, as the environmentalist will develop this statement based on informed decision making skills.
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Environmentalist:

1.) What are the potential benefits of food biotechnology to the environment and to the issue of world hunger?
2.) What are the potential risks of food biotechnology to the environment and to the issue of world hunger?
3.) Are the benefits worth the risks and why?

Scientist

You are a world-renowned scientist from a major university. You have been asked to assess the risks and benefits of food biotechnology from a scientist's point of view for an upcoming conference.
Your main belief is that food biotechnology if used in a responsible way can solve a multitude of world food issues.
Your task is to collect and analyze information from multiple viewpoints and then formulate a statement to present at the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" held at your school.
Your topic at the conference is:
"Are genetically engineered foods the cure for world food issues?"
You, as the scientist will develop this statement based on informed decision making skills.
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Scientist:

1.) What are the benefits of genetically engineered foods?
2.) What are the risks of genetically engineered foods?
3.) Do the benefits outweigh the risks and why?

Consumer Advocate

You are a concerned consumer who wants to know more about genetically engineered foods and how these foods may affect the health of your family. As a concerned citizen you have posted a web page on the internet to inform other families about genetically modified foods and the potential health issues associated with these foods. You have been asked to assess the risks and benefits of food biotechnology from a consumer's point of view for an upcoming conference.
Your task is to collect and analyze information from multiple viewpoints and then formulate a statement to present at the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" held at your school.
Your topic at the conference is:
"What the consumer needs to know about genetically engineered foods?"
You, as the consumer advocate will develop this statement based on informed decision making skills.
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Consumer Advocate:

1.) What should the consumer know about genetically engineered foods?
2.) What are the benefits of genetically engineered foods from the consumer's perspective?
3.) What are the risks of genetically engineered foods from the consumer's perspective?
4.) Do these benefits outweigh the risks and why?
5.) Should genetically engineered foods be labeled?

Legislator

You are a very powerful member of our country's government. The citizens you represent have asked you to create a bill that would require the labeling of genetically modified foods. This would make it possible for consumers to know if they were buying genetically modified food. You have been asked to describe labeling requirements as outlined in your bill at an upcoming conference.
Your task is to collect and analyze information from a number of viewpoints and then create a statement to present at the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" held at your school.
Your topic at the conference is:
"Should genetically engineered food be labeled and why?"
You, as the legislator will develop this statement based on informed decision making skills.
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Legislator:

1.) Should genetically engineered food be labled and why?
2.) What are the benefits of labeling genetically engineered foods?
3.) What are the risks for labeling genetically engineered foods?
4.) Is there a need to label genetically engineered foods from the consumer's point of view?

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It's time to debate, discuss, and reach consensus about the issues regarding genetically engineered foods.

Welcome to the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" held at your school.

The theme of this year's conference is:
"What are genetically engineered foods and are they dangerous to our health and to the environment?"
Our conference includes speakers from multiple points of view on this very hot issue. The purpose of this conference is to debate the risks and benefits of genetically modified foods.
The topics to be covered during this conference include:
* "Are genetically engineered foods destroying our environment?"
* "Are genetically engineered foods the cure for world food issues?"
* "What the consumer needs to know about genetically engineered foods?"
* "Should genetically engineered food be labeled and why?"

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Follow Up

Your last task at the conference is to regroup with a mixed team (environmentalist, scientist, consumer, and legislator) and to come to a consensus as to:

1.) Whether genetically engineered foods need to be labled and if so what should be listed on that label?
2.) Whether genetically engineered foods are a hazard to the environment and if so, should they only be allowed under strict government regulation? If stricter govenment regulations are needed, then what should be listed in these regulations?

Remember:
Your team may not leave this conference until a consensus can be reached on the issue outlined above.

Your team, as participants of this conference, will be issuing position papers from the "Student Conference on Food Biotechnology" on these specific topics:

1. "Should there be government regulations requiring genetically engineered foods to be labeled?"

2. "Should there be government regulations to protect the environment from genetically engineered crops?"

Each team will write a position paper for each of the two topics as listed above. These position papers must address the questions above and be supported by facts as well as valid reasons for your team's opinion on these two specific issues. Be prepared to present your position papers at the conference with all your team members participating. Submit your team's two position papers to your teacher upon the completion of this project.

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Conclusion

So, are genetically engineered foods facts or fiction, friend or foe? Would you eat genetically engineered foods now? Do you now know where to find them in the grocery store? Should they be labeled? Do they harm the environment? Are they 'Frankenstein' foods or the new foods of the 21st century?
Hope you enjoyed your exploration of these new food items and learning how the science of genetics has a direct influence on your daily life.
The next time you pick up a piece of fruit or snack on a taco chip you may be consuming a genetically modified food. Beware!