Genetics and GMOs Rubric

Our final project is a debate or paper about a topic related to genetics, GMOs, or a related topic.

The linke to the rubric is http://trillium678.wikispaces.com/GeneticsGMOs+Rubric

The requirements for the topic are:


Debate:
Three arguments for, one argument against, and the rebuttal for that argument. Prepared likely on index cards or post its. Three arguments against argument and the rebuttal for that. Able to argue either side of the debate. Side of debate called by a coin toss day of debate.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXPECTATIONS:
Three arguments, an opposite argument and the rebuttal for it. (5 pages high school credit, 3 pages middle school credit)
RESEARCH PAPER:
In your own words thoroughly describe a disease, GMO, or genetic condition. One argument, controversy, or “dishy” thing about it.

Movie about the sugar beet issue, questions to accompany article or essay

Movie re: sugar beets in case you were absent:

http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/06/Oregon_dispute_over_sugar_beets/

Questions:

Questions to accompany sugar beets article:

1.What company is putting forth the RoundUp Ready Seeds.?


2.Why would banning Round Up Ready sugar beet seeds be a loss to Oregon?


3.Why would banning RoundUp Ready surgar beets be a hardship for farmers?

4.Where does most sugar beet crop come from?

5.When was the sugar beet crop planted?

6.When will it be ready?

7.How would you respond to this court ruling if you were a Monsanto executive?


8.How would you respond to this court ruling if you were a small organic grower in Oregon?

9.If you chose this for your project, and decided to do a debate, what do you think are the three points that you might choose as pro or con. Make a t-chart with pro and con.

10.If you were to choose to write a persuasive essay what side of the debate would you choose and why?

Round up ready beets

Here is a few paragraphs about an article about round up ready beets. You can read the full article by clicking the link below.

Suit seeks to bar genetically modified sugar beets

By JEFF BARNARD Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 4:40 PM CST



PHILOMATH, Ore. (AP) - Organic farmers fear this year's spring breezes will be carrying pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, which they say could render their crops worthless, and they hope to persuade a federal judge this week to halt the plantings nationwide.

Experts and industry groups say such an injunction could jeopardize U.S. sugar supplies, about half of which comes from the biotech beets planted on more than 1 million acres in 10 states stretching from Michigan to Oregon.

Full article

Genetically modified corn syrup... Ewww

Here is a link to a blog post about how corn syrup has GMO in it. It also has some other serious health concerns.

Gattaca: Movie Questions

Hi there,
If you missed the movie in class watch the movie and answer these questions.

http://faculty.valenciacc.edu/tklenk/gattacaguide.htm

Possible topics for papers or debates

I've been reading lots over the break about genetic testing, GMOs, and the awful eugenics movement. I've come up with this list of topics that a student may be interested in researching, debating, and or writing about. This IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST. A student is free to explore any topic related to the topic. Might be good to check with me if it's tangential.

Possible topics: (which I have read about and direct you to leads)
Genetically Engineered Foods May Cause Rising Food Allergies
Monzanto shutting out small farms
Sugar beets and Round Up Ready beets
Susan B. Anthony, Sufragist, and proponent of Eugenics
Eugenics movement in United States
Laws in 1935 Oregon for sterilizing insane, feebleminded, "drunkards", illiterate, or those who scored low on IQ test.
Insurance companies denying those with genetic disorders from coverage
Genetic privacy vs. civil liberties
US Congress 1972 passing the "Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act" where people fired from any Airline or military position if found to be carrier or positive for sickle cell. Often increasing premiums.
Kaiser Permanente and genetic screening.
Nature vs. Nature; genetic claims about controversial topics such as alcoholism, mental illness, homosexuality, criminality.
Diabetes not genetic after all.
DNA profiling and employment.
Tying tubes (sterilization) of certain populations based on prejudice

Online Quiz About Cell Reproduction

Follow this link and find an online quiz about cell reproduction.