Genetically Modified Organisms

You are going to read about GMOs from the following websites. Then you will answer the following questions
after you read the article about GMOs.

TASK 1: Hunger Games GMOs

READ THIS ARTICLE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/science/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-fiction-for-

now.html?_r=1&ref=science

1. In the movie “The Hunger Games,” the Capitol (a term used to refer to what we would call the
government) produced genetically enhanced birds called jabberjays to spy on rebels. Unexpectedly,
these birds bred with mockingbirds, creating a new hybrid bird called the mockingjay. The Capitol did
not intend for this to happen, and the bird became a symbol of rebellion. What lessons can we draw
about genetic engineering from these examples? Could a scenario like this, where a genetically
engineered organism hybridizes with a wild animal or plant, happen in the real world? Why or why
not?

The lessons we can draw about genetic engineering from these examples is that it can happen very
unexpectedly. No one expected jabberjays to cross with mockingjays, yet it happened, and a new
species was born. A scenario like this could not happen where a genetically engineered organism
hybridizes with an organism. When scientists in the real world genetically engineer organisms, they
take out specific genomes and that will make sure they cannot reproduce.

2. What is a jabberjay? What is a mockingjay? How were they formed?

A jabberjay was a genetically engineered spy bird. A mockingjay is a hybrid between jabberjays and
mockingbirds. When jabberjays were released into the wild no one though they could survive out
there. They fooled everyone, then they mated with the mockingbirds producing mockingjays.

TASK 2: Watch this Video – “Eyes of Nye: Genetically Modified Food”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKm2Ch3-Myg

1. In the United States, grocery shelves are filled with genetically modified foods. An example would be
corn. List an example.

2. Can you take a gene from a fish and put it into a tomato?

Yes, you can take a gene from a fish and put it into a tomato.

3. If genes provide instructions to build a living thing, what happens if you change one of the genes?
 If you change even one of the genes, a physical feature could end up being different.

4. What was the difference between the two papayas?

The first papaya is organically grown with the quite common ringspot virus. The second papaya is
genetically modified to be immune to the ringspot virus.

5. What does transgenic mean?

Transgenic means you could take a gene from another organism and put it into a different organism.

6. “Agro-chemical companies created Golden Rice, a genetically modified species of rice, to help fight
vitamin deficiencies on developing countries.”

7. BT corn crops take proteins from soil bacteria to help fight certain insects.

8. When are you eating genetically modified foods? What are some examples of genetically modified
foods used in many products which you commonly eat every day?
a. BT corn
b. Tomatoes
c. Golden Rice

9. What are the three things Nye suggests for the human race?
a. Lets farm responsibly
b. Lets require labels on our foods
c. And lets carefully test these foods case by case.

9. Do you think genetically modified foods have more risks or benefits and are you comfortable eating
genetically modified foods (like fish genes in tomatoes or bacteria proteins in corn)?

Benefit because it can create more food for people who do not have it. Also, the modifications can help
save lives.

TASK 3: Opinion on GMOs

http://gmoanswers.com/?gclid=COfagamVwrwCFa5DMgodwn4A7Q
1. Explore the Basics of GMOs. Read about Health and GMOs, History of Crop Modification, & GMO and
Consumers.

2. Form an Opinion about GMOs. How are they beneficial? How are they harmful? Write down 10
statistics from this website or another one you found that supports your opinion. You can find videos
(pro & con) and use the links, find pictures, find websites, support groups, etc. Explore what the
internet discusses about GMOs. BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS YOUR OPINION IN CLASS!!!!

GMOs are beneficial to the world.

1. “In 2018, GMO soybeans made up 94% of all soybeans planted.” (Link: GMO Crops,
Animal Food, and Beyond | FDA)
2. “GMO cotton made up 94% of all cotton planted.” (Link: GMO Crops, Animal Food, and
Beyond | FDA)
3. “92% of corn planted was GMO corn.” (Link: GMO Crops, Animal Food, and Beyond | FDA)
4. “In 2013, GMO canola made up 95% of canola planted.” (Link: GMO Crops, Animal
Food, and Beyond | FDA)
5. “GMO sugar beets made up 99.9% of all sugar beets harvested.” (Link: GMO Crops,
Animal Food, and Beyond | FDA)

6.
7. “GM crops have allowed an average increase in agricultural yield by 22
percent and increased farmers’ profits by 68 percent.” (Link: GMO crops have
been increasing yield for 20 years, with more progress ahead - Alliance for Science (cornell.edu)
8. “GM crops increased global production by 357.7 million tons of corn, 180.3
million tons of soybean, 25.2 million tons of cotton fiber, 10.6 million tons
of canola and about a ton of sugar beet. In addition, the report mentions
that GM crops significantly reduced the use of agricultural land due to this
higher productivity.” (Link: GMO crops have been increasing yield for 20 years, with more
progress ahead - Alliance for Science (cornell.edu)
9. “GM crops allowed an increase in yield of 6 percent to 25 percent.” (Link: GMO
crops have been increasing yield for 20 years, with more progress ahead - Alliance for Science (cornell.edu)
10. “These crops were planted by 18 million farmers in 26 countries, making GM the
fastest adopted crop technology worldwide in recent times.” (Link: GMO crops
have been increasing yield for 20 years, with more progress ahead - Alliance for Science (cornell.edu)
**Make sure it is CLEAR if you are pro/con GMOs!! YOU CANNOT USE STATISTICS FOR BOTH SIDES!!!!