Science Friday Kids' Connection^tm -- in association with Kidsnet
Souped-up Supper: Genetically Modified Crops (March 5, 2004, One)

Program Summary | Guests | Related Links and Resources | For Discussion | Activities | Hear the program | About Kids Connection | SFKC Home

Program Summary

What we wouldn’t give for a ripe, juicy tomato fresh from the grocery store, especially in March! Consumers wanted it, and so scientists created it. In the 1990s, using the new science of genetic engineering, researchers created the Flavr Savr, a tomato designed to ripen on the vine and stay that way all the way to the supermarket. But the Flavr Savr was a flop: Consumers refused to buy it. Why? Because they were suspicious of genetically modified foods, fearing that the modification might somehow prove unhealthy to humans.

Is this a valid concern? Could altered genes escape and contaminate non-modified crops? Yes and no, say Ira’s guests, who sit on opposite sides of the genetically modified fence. No, they can’t, says one, “GM” crops are grown in such isolation and unnatural settings (i.e. corn in Arizona) that they can’t affect the environment or staple crops. Yes, they can, and they have, says the other, , traces of altered gene sequences have been found in non-modified commercial crops, wild plants, even organic products.

Humans have been genetically engineering food for thousands of years, hybridizing orcrossing strains and species to produce a hardier wheat or tastier apple. GM protagonists claim it’s the way to go to create pest-resistant crops, reduce pesticide use, increase productivity, and feed the hungry. But, say opponents, hybridizing never involved inserting genes from bacteria and viruses where they don’t belong. More research will tell us about the consequences of such engineering, and that research is ongoing.

Guests

Allison Snow, professor in the department of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at the Ohio State University in Columbus

C. S. Prakash, professor of plant molecular genetics and director of the Center for Plant Biotechnology Research at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama

Related Links and Resources

Biotechnology Industry Organization: Food and Agriculture
First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Foods by Belinda Martineau (McGraw-Hill, 2001)
NewScientist.com: Hot Topics: GM Foods
PBS: “Point of View”: “Hybrid”
Union of Concerned Scientists: Gone to Seed

For Discussion:

• What is involved in genetically engineering a food product? What is the purpose?
• Have any GM foods been found to be harmful in any way?
• Why are some scientists concerned about contamination?
• Would you eat food that has been genetically modified? Why or why not?
• Do you think we should go ahead with genetically modifying crops in order to relieve world hunger even if some researchers feel we don’t know enough about it yet?

Activities

Eat it or beat it? Riverdeep examines genetically modified foods from all sides with Teaching the News: America Debates GM Food and Building Better Tomatoes. Featured are evenly balanced summaries, discussion questions, and links to Web sites of supporters and opponents of GM. The New York Times Learning Network also offers three comprehensive lesson plans—Altered Genes, Food, Glorious Food?, and Food's Altered Ego. Students can read a teen’s opinion on genetic engineering at Is genetic engineering dangerous? from PBS online.

Frankenfoods. Harvest of Fear, a 2001 PBS “NOVA”/“Frontline” Special Report, explores the heated battle for and against genetically modifying food. The show features interviews, a video about engineered salmon, and interactives that allow students to grow their own virtual designer crop. A teachers guide is available. Food Under the Microscope, a BBC special report from 1999, provides insight into the furor over modified foods in Europe.

Hot potato. Nutty genes, dangerous genes (Whyfiles) illustrates the possible dangers of GM foods in an article about an experiment with Brazil nuts and soy beans. Soy beans grown with Brazil nut proteins produced reactions in people allergic to the nuts. Field of Genes looks at problems that have cropped up from altering corn and other produce to resist insects and herbicides.

Keeping up with the Genes-es. For the latest happenings in genetically modified foods, drop by Newscientist.com: Hot topics: GM and Yahoo! News: Genetically Modified Food. News about GM is posted hot off the press.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

Hear the Program

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

RealAudio archive courtesy of NPR Online. If nothing happens when you click the link, you may need to download a free player.