HSB4U Chapter 4 Anthropology – systems of land use Technology: An Agent of Social Change

Revisit Yesterday’s “Thumbs” Assessment (See previous day’s PowerPoints)

Schedule Attendance and name card distribution Share agenda and learning goals Minds on – Headlines from Indian newspaper & brainstorm Important terms defined Watch World According to Monsanto and answer questions Complete handout - I will check Debate on GM foods Journal Debrief and wrap up

Success Criteria I can explain how changing trends in the application of technology have influenced agriculture and land use. I can describe how the prominence of GM technology around the world has been shaped by socio-economic factors.

How would you explain the following? The Indian Tribune reported that: “Every 12 hours one farmer commits suicide in India.” (Every 12 hours one farmer commits suicide in India. (2012). Indian Tribune. Retrieved from The International Business Times: “India Losing 2,000 Farmers Every Single Day” (Ghosh, P. (2013, May 2). India losing 2,000 farmers every single day: a tale of a rapidly changing society. International Business Times. Retrieved from What could the causes be? Brainstorm your thoughts on a piece of paper that you’ll keep as notes.

Important Terms Patent – a license that gives someone the rights to something for a certain period of time. It means that others can’t make, use or sell that invention. Suicide seed – genetic modification of plants to make them produce sterile seeds. Yield – produce an agricultural product/amount of product Pesticide – kills insects Conventional seeds – non GM seeds

What is Property? What can people steal from you? We don’t usually think of intellectual property, your thoughts or things you create in your mind. Seeds are owned by big corporations as opposed to farmers themselves, or just being available in nature.

Watch World According to Monsanto: BT Cotton Please answer the questions on p.36 of your course handout. You are developing skills in critical thinking and note taking.

Intro to Clip on BT Cotton Pests are a problem for cotton plantations. Monsanto came up with BT cotton, a genetically modified cotton seed that resists these pests. There are problems with this type of genetically modified cotton seed for agriculture and also for society.

Summary of Clip on Intellectual Property Monsanto scientists have come up with the invention of genetically modified seeds. They have the rights to these GM seeds because they invented them. Farmers have to pay to use the seeds. There are consequences both to the environment and to the farmers as a result.

Handout Check-In Fill out all the information on your course handouts (pp 36 and 37) BT Cotton, Intellectual Property and GM Technology What additional questions do you have? Have you added additional points from articles on Ms. Gluskin’s blog? Look at your handout on GM technology and make your decision.

Activity: Debate GM technologies are a contentious issue. You will be numbered off in three groups and you will have a debate on this topic. Group 1 – In favour of GM foods Group 2 – Against GM foods Group 3 - Judges (must come up with criteria for your decision) Guidelines: 6 minutes to prepare your argument, 5 minutes to present each side = (10 mins) 2 minute rebuttal each side = (4 mins) 2 minutes for judges to reach a decision

Guidelines for Debate Everyone debating must say at least 1 thing Each judge must come up with at least 1 criteria Be aware of “talkers” vs “listeners” Remember evidence and argument balance Too much evidence, no argument = list Too many arguments, no evidence = opinion Judges – answer can be more complex than “agree” or “disagree”

Alternatives to Monsanto in India Vandana Shiva: ( Correlation between widespread, continuous hunger and the introduction of genetically engineered seeds and agrochemicals. Seedbank (This slide is just for your information, you don’t have to know it for the quiz.)

Journal Exercise (10 minutes) Now that you know about Monsanto’s RoundUp ready soybeans, GMOs, BGH, BT cotton and [intellectual property], write a reflection on: GM (yes, no, maybe) What this means to you What this means to society Refer to CCA Analytical Writing Checklist to make your connections The purpose of this assignment is to deepen your understanding and analysis of the issue.

Debrief and Wrap up Technology has impacted societies and cultures around the globe in significant ways. Some of the technological advances in agriculture may be positive, while others are threatening to change the world in potentially irreparable ways.

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Who benefits from the biotech industry? What are the costs of the technology? Who is bearing these costs? What will happen if Monsanto’s GM seeds are accepted worldwide? Should GM technologies be embraced, or cautiously evaluated?

Homework CCA assignment If not already done, read pp 130 – 133. Bring your technology surveys to class tomorrow.