Biotechnology Lesson Plan Introduction: Plant and animal genetic engineering. World population is on the rise, fertile farming land is becoming scarce, and viable food sources are reaching critical limits. These factors have caused new and alternate ways to feed the growing masses to be explored. Most of us have probably heard or read about cloning, which is a form of genetic engineering where an identical model is produced. This lesson will explore how altering plant and animal products through genetics and creating a transgenic byproduct can be used to help ensure there is enough food for all tomorrow. Body Chemicals are everywhere in our lives. They are in our bodies, plants and animals. Water is two chemicals, hydrogen and oxygen, without which we would not survive. Bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms are also ever present in our lives. Together these items control most of what and how the earth and humans function. We mention this so as you are presented this lesson you hopefully keep an open mind on the topics. (Slide with ant) While man has made many significant beneficial uses of biotechnology, the ant was a leader in showing a way to put a form of it to beneficial use. Ants in Central America collected a fungus to eat and grow, much like the way we raise crops to eat. Unfortunately for the ants, a parasitic fungus also liked the ant fungus and consumed it quicker than the ants. Faced with starvation, the ants found a solution. They found an antibiotic
known as actinomycete that kept the bad fungus at bay; they did this by coating themselves with actinomycete and then spreading it through their fungus farm. Bottom line, they found a way to save their crop and survive. While we may not be at the starvation point, there are enough problems with our food supply as we mentioned in the beginning, that we need to find alternate sources. Just as the ants did we are adapting through the use of biotechnology. We ll start with some adaptations in the animal world. (Ask who likes milk? Slide with dairy cow.) Dairy cattle have been given Bovine Somatropin Hormone (BST) which has increased milk production by 20%. The hormone is one that is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain so it s not an artificial additive. Approved for use in 1994, meat and milk treated with BST have been rated as safe for human consumption by the FDA. Who wants to guess the first transgenic animal to be approved for human consumption? (Slide with salmon)
The transgenic salmon possesses an additional gene that stimulates growth and allows for a 15% greater growth increase than nontransgenic salmon. Hopes are in future years we will have transgenic lines of poultry producing eggs that have a lower cholesterol content; cows producing milk with lower lactose levels; lines of sheep with longer and stronger wool fibers; and pork with lower fat content. Now let s look at the plant world. Which leads to what question? What was the first transgenic plant? (Slide with tomato) The tomato was the first plant genetically altered and aptly called the Flavr Savr. The produce lived up to its name but due to poor farming techniques suffered a bad rap. Since that time soybeans, corn, papaya, melons, wheat, tobacco, cotton and sugar beets have all been introduced to the transgenic world. How do we feel about transgenic food? How does our opinion compare with others in America? The following questions were asked in a mid 2000 survey of 1000 Americans: Do you support using biotechnology to develop foods that stay fresh longer? 75% yes Do you support using biotechnology to make foods more nutritious? 80% yes Do you support using biotechnology to develop crops using fewer chemicals? 81% yes Do you support using biotechnology to develop crops that need less land and water? 81% yes (Fumento, 2003) Summary:
Earlier we talked about the growth of world population and lack of increased productive farmland.let s expound on that. In 2006 the world population reached 6 billion which was a doubling in the last 40 years. This equates to a world population of 9 billion in 2040 that will generate a 250 percent increase in demand for food (Borem, 2003). To increase food production we could: Add new land, an unlikely prospect in developed nations due to the lack of available land for farming. Also unlikely in developing nations due to environmental concerns (rainforest, wetlands, etc.). Reduce crop losses whether caused by pests, disease or harvesting problems. Increase crop production. Biotechnology can help in all these areas through the production of crops more tolerant to drought and poor soil conditions; crops resistant to disease and insects; crops that stay fresh longer; and crops that are more easily harvested and stored. Conclusion: While biotechnology still requires additional trials and tests, the initial results have to be considered positive and a step in the right direction. Creating foods that retain the same or improved texture, taste and shelve life will do wonders in helping the world hunger problem, which can only grow worse. Encouraging news is that the land area dedicated to transgenic crops increased about 35-fold between 1996 and 2001, from 4.19 million acres to 145 million acres. From the simple beginnings in the ant world we can learn to better manage our planet and lives. Are there any questions? References:
Fumento, M. (2003). Bioevolution: how biotechnology is changing our world. San Francisco: Encounter Books. Borem, A. (2003). Understanding Biotechnology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education. NOTES: This lesson goes has an accompanying Powerpoint presentation which explains the reference to slides with photos of an ant, dairy cattle, tomato, and salmon. After the lesson students are given the following assignment: Task: Research a topic/product in the biotechnology area. Use the fields of agriculture, medicine, etc. and prepare a paper as to the benefits/shortcomings of your topic/product. As an example look at bioremediation, crops produced, medical inventions, etc. What to include: Written paper two full pages, double spaced, one inch margin, and 12 pt font. Insert small photo of your topic/product on second page of text. Grading Areas Points 1. Photo 3 2. Benefits/Shortcomings Identified 5 3. Neatness/ Grammar 3 4. Content two pages 5 5. Biotech applicable 3 6. On Time 1