Transgenic Organisms

Read the following articles regarding the issue of transgenic organisms. Complete your debate template and report in preparation for the class discussion. *You must comment on this post. Please keep your comments respectful and choose your words carefully.

Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html#primer *Make sure to review throught the links at the bottom of the article for more information.

Human Genome Project Website: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

The Lorax: Follow-Up

1. What does the Once-ler represent? The Lorax? The thneed?
2. Which "cause" from the book has the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
3. What current real-world environmental issue is having the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
4. What are some solutions (big and small) to current environmental issues? How can you make a difference? What does it mean to be GREEN?

Your Footprint

How big is your footprint?

In today's world, it is essential that humans take a look at how they impact the environment.
1. Describe 2 ways you have interacted, directly or indirectly, with the environment today. Explain if each interaction is positive or negative and provide evidence for your reasoning.
2. Are your interactions with the environment necessary? Why?
3. Respond to the following statement by answering strongly agree, agree ,neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree and explain your reasoning:
"When people decide to buy goods, they think about the effect it has on the environment."

Disaster Response

1. During and following a disaster, who is responsible for maintaining human lives? Why do you think so?

2. If Wilmington, NC were in a state of disaster, would everyone be able to get to safety? What factors might affect the outcome of such a situation?

Global Warming Debate

Global warming is a controversial topic. There are differing opinions on whether its happening at all, its effects, and if its human induced. Your job is to develop an opinion on the idea of global warming. You need to determine if you are a believer or a skeptic of global warming. To research your viewpoint, read the information on the following link. Explore the additional links at the bottom of the page.
http://www.pbs.org/now/science/climatedebate.html

You must include the following in your blog response:
1. Are you a skeptic or a believer?
2. Give at least 3 examples from the reading as evidence for your opinion.
3. Based on your research, what do you think will happen to the earth in the next 20 years?
4. Can humans effect the outcome of atmospheric processes? How? Why?

Uniformitarianism

James Hutton is credited with the principle of uniformitarianism, the idea that the geologic processes of the Earth occur and will continue to occur at the same frequencies and magnitude thoughout time.

Answer the following questions:
1. How does this principle hold true throughout the history of the planet. Give some specific examples.
2. What does this imply about the future of the planet? Elaborate on your answer.

Introduction to Ethics in Genetics

Guiding Questions
1. Just because we can do something, should we do it?
2. Are there certain situations where using genetic technology is right/wrong?
3. Can we ever be positive of all the side effects of cloning or other genetic technologies? Explain.

Basic Cloning Diagram: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/cloning.gif

"Cloned Beef: It May be What's for Dinner" Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003498256_clone28.html

"Having a Cow over Cloned Beef" MSN
http://www.cnbc.com/id/17030182/Having_A_Cow_Over_Cloned_Beef

"Cloned Milk and Meat: Where's the Beef?" Live Science
http://www.livescience.com/health/080109-animal-cloning.html

"Are we eating cloned meat?" Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=are-we-eating-cloned-meat