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?  What conditions would be required for a genetically engineered organism to hybridize with a wild animal or plant? Could a scenario like this happen in the real world? Why or why not? What steps could be put in place to keep this from happening?

On The Wings of the Mockingjay Read the article and answer the questions

Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding View video segment As you watch & listen… record 2 ways that classical and transgenic breeding differ VIDEO

Classical vs. Transgenic Breeding Classical breeding Transgenic breeding Can only breed RELATED species Transfer 10s of 1000s of genes at a time Can breed 2 completely different organisms Transfer 1 gene at a time

TRANSGENIC ORGANISMS Organisms that have genes from another organism… transplanted from another organism artificially manipulated GMO…genetically modified organism

AGRICULTURE Higher crop yields Reduced cost Reduced need for pesticides Enhanced food quality First GM plant: “flavr savr tomato” (1994)

BT Corn View video segment As you watch & listen… What is the benefit of using BT corn? What is the disadvantage of using BT corn? BT CORN video

Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner With a partner or independently…you will choose/be assigned a food to view on the interactive lesson Create a summary on the white boards to share with your classmates Use guided questions on the cards provided

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Which of these innovations seems most beneficial to you? What might be a negative effect of this new genetically modified crop? Which of these innovations seems most potentially hazardous to you? Do you feel the benefits outweigh possible dangers?

ANIMALS Disease resistant Faster maturation Tissue/organ transplants MICROORGANISMS: Biodegraders fuels

SUPER SALMON View video segment…watch & listen… VIDEO What allows transgenic salmon to grow in winter? What are some possible consequences of transgenic salmon escaping from their pens into the ocean population? How might transgenic salmon affect the evolution of other salmon populations? Do you think the FDA should give Aqua Bounty permission to grow and sell transgenic salmon? Why or why not?

PHARMACEUTICAL New drugs Vaccines Safe testing before human use HGH (human growth hormone) 1st protein made in plants (1986) Antibodies in plants (1989)

STATISTICS 80% of our conventional processed food is result of GMO 4 most common GM foods: CORN; SOYBEANS; COTTON; SUGAR BEETS US, Canada, Brazil, & Argentina: grow 90% of world’s GM crops Based on current population growth: word will need to grow 70% more food by 2050

Should we/Shouldn’t we? Risks/Concerns… What is the risk to humans? Ecological imbalance Economic monopoly Altered natural state of organisms Unknown consequences Do humans have the right to “play God”?