Download GM crops: Miracles or Monsters

VGEC: Teacher Notes
GM Crops: Miracles or Monsters?
A simple activity in which children try to guess which plants have been genetically modified.
The children look at several common plants and decide whether they have been genetically modified. They
then pull back the top sheet of the question sheets (Miracles.pdf) to reveal the answers and some additional
information.
In the process, they learn something about the range of genetically modified crops and realise that GM
plants cannot always be distinguished from ‘normal’ varieties by sight alone.
Intended learning outcomes

That many common crops have been genetically modified to meet a range of needs.

That some crops have been developed by ‘transgenics’: that is, by moving genes from one species to
another.

That you can’t always tell a GM/transgenic crop from a ‘normal’ one just by looking at it.
Possible curriculum links
Key Stage 3: 1.2
Applications and implications of science
Key Stage 4: 4 Applications and implications of science
Files provided
1 GMCrops.docx/rtf/pdf
This document – includes Teacher Notes.
2 GMCropsQuestions.pptx/pdf
Question/answer sheets to accompany the activity.
Key vocabulary

DNA (short for deoxyribonucleic acid): DNA is the material from which genes are made.

Gene: A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

Genetic modification: The use of modern biotechnology to change the characteristics of an organism
by inserting, deleting or altering its genes.

Transgenics: The genetic modification of an organism using genes from another species.
Main points

All crops are the result of genetic modification through selective breeding.

Some crops have been developed by transgenics: that is, by moving genes from one organism to
another.
Virtual Genetics Education Centre: http://www.le.ac.uk/ge/genie/vgec/
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
In many cases, the process involves traits that occur naturally. Transgenics and/or selective breeding
just speeds up the process of selective breeding.

The ‘normal’ tomato and potato are the result of selective breeding – indirect, rather than direct, genetic
modification.

You can’t tell the GM/transgenic potato and tomato from the ‘normal’ ones just by looking.

Genes can be moved from one organism to another, because DNA works the same whether you are an
ape or a banana.

There are rules and laws that prevent GM crops from being released until scientists are convinced that
they are safe.
Background facts

Almost every agricultural plant we eat is the result of genetic modification – if only through selective
breeding.

Crops have been developed in two ways: selective breeding and direct genetic modification, including
transgenics (moving genes from one organism to another).
Procedure
Print out and laminate the sheets in the file MiraclesQuestions.pdf
Arrange the sheets in pairs, with the question on top (‘Has this plant been genetically modified’) and an
answer sheet underneath. Staple the pairs together.
Place example of each plant crop next to the relevant sheets.
Introduce the activity to the students, and explain the nature of selective breeding and genetic modification.
Mention the possibility of moving genes from one species to another.
Allow the students to examine the plants and to try to decide which have been genetically modified. They
can then reveal the answer by lifting up the top sheet.
If possible, use real examples of genetically modified and/or normal varieties of each plant crop.
Examples of all the plants are available from most supermarkets.
Virtual Genetics Education Centre: http://www.le.ac.uk/ge/genie/vgec/
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