PowerPoint Presentation: Biology and Technology in the Real World

Instructions

PowerPoint Presentation: Biology and Technology in the Real World  (100 points)

Course Outcomes Addressed:

• recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
• make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations
• weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
• use knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions

1. Select one of the five topics below.

a) Genetically modified food. Your daughter comes home from school a little perplexed.  In her home economics class, her teacher informed her that you have probably been feeding her genetically modified foods.  She did not fully understand what was meant by genetically modified food.  In an attempt to help her better understand, you prepare a PowerPoint presentation in which you:   1) Explain the purpose of genetically engineering crop plants.  2) Explain how genetically modified foods are created, using the central dogma of molecular biology in your explanation.   3) Name a variety of foods in your supermarket which are or contain genetically modified foods.  4) Explain whether genetically modified foods are safe for human consumption.  Support your answer.   5) List the types of regulations that exist for genetically modified foods. Support your answer.    6) Conclude with your opinion on whether genetically modified food should continue to be produced and consumed, based on information backed by reliable sources.

For help, you might search the Food and Drug Administration website.

b) Stem cells. Your friend suffered a spinal cord injury after a devastating car accident. The medical team has decided that your friend is a good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy.  Your friend has not taken a biology course since high school, so he asks you about stem cells.  In order to help your friend make an informed decision about whether to enter the trial for stem cell therapy, you prepare a PowerPoint presentation in which you:  1) Describe the biology of stem cells.   2) Describe how stem cells are unique from other cells.  3) Contrast the different types of stem cells.    4) List the pros and cons for each type of stem cell.   5) Explain how stems cells can be used to treat spinal cord injuries, including information from at least one research study or clinical trial.   6) Conclude with your opinion on whether your friend should enlist in the clinical trial based on information backed by reliable sources.