Module B3: Living and Growing

Module B3g: New genes from old

Genetic engineering and genetic modification are relatively recent terms but humans have been genetically modifying animals and plants using selective breeding for thousands of years. Genes can also change without human intervention. This is known as mutation. Debating the arguments for and against GM ingredients provide opportunities to discuss how and why decisions about science are made and the related ethical issues. These discussions can also provide an opportunity to show that there are some questions that science cannot currently answer.

Suggested activities and experiences to select from:

Survey foods that contain GM ingredients; Debate the arguments for and against GM ingredients.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Foundation tier only:
State that genes can be transferred from one living organism to another and that this is called genetic engineering or genetic modification.
Recognise features of plants and animals that might be selected for in a genetic engineering programme.

Both tiers:
Explain some potential advantages and some risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding:

• advantage - production of organisms with new features;
• disadvantage - inserted genes may have unexpected harmful effects

Describe in outline only, some examples of genetic engineering:

• the production of human insulin by genetically engineered bacteria;
• transferring resistance to herbicides, frost damage or disease to crop plants

Higher tier only:
Describe the principles of genetic engineering:

• selection of characteristics
• isolation of genes
• insertion
• replication

Discuss the moral and ethical issues involved in genetic modification weighed against the potential benefits