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.

2. 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?

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

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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

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

12. 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?

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

14. 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

15. 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”?