Description
Advances in genetic technologies are accompanied by questions for society about if, where, and how to apply these tools. A new generation of genetic tools has opened a pathway to engineering the world around us to potentially improve human health, agriculture, and the environment. However, not everyone agrees these applications would necessarily be a benefit, while others worry about the unintended consequences of these ecosystem-changing actions. In this lesson plan, we focus on three potential uses of these tools with the goal of (1) reducing the toxicity of cassava, (2) modifying disease-carrying insects to preserve Hawaiian honeycreepers, an endangered species of bird, and (3) reviving an extinct animal – the woolly mammoth – to possibly aid in preventing permafrost thawing. These examples draw from current scientific research and environmental issues at the forefront of genetics and society. Each scenario raises a variety of complex ethical, environmental, and scientific conundrums for students to consider.
Activities
Three ‘Do now’ exercises (15 minutes), slideshow (30 minutes), classroom discussion (15 minutes).
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