| Reviewed: |
Jun 25, 2002 by Biology Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
Harvest of Fear is a web site dealing with the topic of genetically modified
(transgenic) crops. The site is subdivided into four parts. Part one is titled
?Should we grow GM crops?? and discuses relevant health, environmental and
financial issues. At the end of this part, students may vote whether they
support the use of such technology and will see the current results of the
voting survey. Part two, titled ?Engineer a crop? is the showcase of the site
and includes two interactive activities, one a selective breeding simulation for
selecting corn plants with large ear size, the other to make transgenic
manipulations creating a tomato plant resistant to certain insects by
incorporating a gene from a bacterium that produces toxins harmful to insects
but not mammals. Part three is titled ?Guess what?s coming to dinner? and
discusses information about the next wave of GM foods that are in development.
Part four ?Viewpoints? is the least useful of the sections and is a collection
of view points.
|
| Learning Goals: |
Simulate the steps used to create a transgenic crop. Identify some of the
current and future uses of transgenic crops as well as identify valid concerns
of this technology.
|
| Target Student Population: |
Advanced high school through college level.
|
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
A general knowledge of genetics and the basic principles of recombinant DNA
technology.
|
| Type of Material: |
Interactive simulation.
|
| Recommended Uses: |
An interactive tutorial showing the steps used to create a transgenic crop. The
simulation could be used to teach the basics of this technique, or could be
used prior to an actual laboratory activity in which transgenic plants are
created.
|
| Technical Requirements: |
Shockwave and Flash plugins
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