Home · For Teachers · The Future Of the Biotech Industry

11-12
The Future Of the Biotech Industry
Project type: Web Quest
Related topic:
Genetically Modified Food: A Growing Debate
Genetically Modified Food: A Growing Debate

Subjects
History
Science
Science
Summary
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students prepare a presentation about the future of the biotech industry from different perspectives.
Duration
1-2 periods
Purpose
To explore future growth in a controversial industry

Before Exploring
The genie is out of the bottle, the cat is out of the bag and the seeds of genetically modified species have now entered our environment. The questions now before us are numerous and growing.
Outline the Opportunity
Present the following questions to students:
1. What are the short term and long term effects of GMOs on our health?
2. Is it possible to regulate the industry? Is it necessary?
3. What is the economic impact of biotechnology?
4. Do we really need biotechnology to survive as a species?
5. What moral obligations do biotech industries have to developing nations?
6. Should testing of products be done over longer time periods?
7. What are the dangers in using biotechnology to create new species?
8. What are the military applications for this industry?
9. Are there terrorist possibilities with this technology?
Students will choose one of these questions, or a question of their own, and research it in depth on the Internet. They will create a presentation based on their research. Presentations should include a history component and possible future scenarios as well as a personal opinion on the topic.
1. What are the short term and long term effects of GMOs on our health?
2. Is it possible to regulate the industry? Is it necessary?
3. What is the economic impact of biotechnology?
4. Do we really need biotechnology to survive as a species?
5. What moral obligations do biotech industries have to developing nations?
6. Should testing of products be done over longer time periods?
7. What are the dangers in using biotechnology to create new species?
8. What are the military applications for this industry?
9. Are there terrorist possibilities with this technology?
Students will choose one of these questions, or a question of their own, and research it in depth on the Internet. They will create a presentation based on their research. Presentations should include a history component and possible future scenarios as well as a personal opinion on the topic.
Revisit and Reflect
Students present their topic to the class. Then chair an open forum for opinions created by the presentation. Students write a series of recommendations based on the presentations for regulating the biotech industry.
Ne pas effacer... repare bug IE6









