IGEM:Harvard/2010/Human Practices: Difference between revisions
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*Public perceptions of genetic engineering (''Splice'') | *Public perceptions of genetic engineering (''Splice'') | ||
**one thing we are trying to do with this project is to inform the public about genetic engineering and synthetic biology - we want to show them how it is done, rather than letting the media do all the talking. We want to make the processes accessible | **one thing we are trying to do with this project is to inform the public about genetic engineering and synthetic biology - we want to show them how it is done, rather than letting the media do all the talking. We want to make the processes accessible | ||
***How are scientists responsible for current perceptions? How can scientists work with the media and the public to engage thoughtful discussion? What is the role of different interest groups in the discussion and acceptance of new technologies? Do we need environmental groups to be critical of science in order to make better science? | |||
'''Our safety concerns:''' | '''Our safety concerns:''' | ||
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From google - a simple overview of GMOs [[http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php]] | From google - a simple overview of GMOs [[http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php]] | ||
*creating unintended allergens | *creating unintended allergens | ||
**it is very difficult to predict if a protein is going to be allergenic, this is part of the reason why it's hard to make things purposely hypoallergenic | |||
*unknown effects on human health | *unknown effects on human health | ||
Ireland enacts GMO-Free Policy [[http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_19360.cfm]] | Ireland enacts GMO-Free Policy [[http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_19360.cfm]] | ||
"Green" Farming vs. Genetic Modification -- can they work together | "Green" Farming vs. Genetic Modification -- can they work together | ||
*Stewart Brand | |||
*The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution "green revolution"?] | |||
Revision as of 05:30, 27 June 2010
Brainstorming
Controversy over GM foods
- "Playing God"
- Safety
- Whether GM foods safe for consumption (assumption that unnatural things are bad for you)
- -->are genetically engineered foods "unnatural"? How is synthetic biology different from "traditional" genetic engineering? How are molecular techniques different from "classical" plant breeding technologies? Is there a scale of "naturalness"?
- Danger of cross-contamination to other crops, spreading the foreign DNA constructs
- Whether GM foods safe for consumption (assumption that unnatural things are bad for you)
- Legal - ownership of GM plants and sales (Monsato)
- Sustainability - economically and environmentally.
- Harming wildlife :: Transgenic pollen harms monarch larvae (Nature, Vol 399, No 6733, p 214, May 20, 1999)[[1]] - could be likened to the DDT effect on Bald Eagle eggs exposed in Silent Spring (Rachel Carson)
- Outcompeting other plant species (indigenous ones)
Also to consider -
- Public perceptions of genetic engineering (Splice)
- one thing we are trying to do with this project is to inform the public about genetic engineering and synthetic biology - we want to show them how it is done, rather than letting the media do all the talking. We want to make the processes accessible
- How are scientists responsible for current perceptions? How can scientists work with the media and the public to engage thoughtful discussion? What is the role of different interest groups in the discussion and acceptance of new technologies? Do we need environmental groups to be critical of science in order to make better science?
- one thing we are trying to do with this project is to inform the public about genetic engineering and synthetic biology - we want to show them how it is done, rather than letting the media do all the talking. We want to make the processes accessible
Our safety concerns:
- Genetic fence -- preventing cross pollination and spread of the GM plants.
- Consumer safety -- making sure that the plant doesn't require that the consumer uses harmful chemicals, making the process simple and safe.
- Making sure our constructs are not harmful.
From google - a simple overview of GMOs [[2]]
- creating unintended allergens
- it is very difficult to predict if a protein is going to be allergenic, this is part of the reason why it's hard to make things purposely hypoallergenic
- unknown effects on human health
Ireland enacts GMO-Free Policy [[3]] "Green" Farming vs. Genetic Modification -- can they work together
- Stewart Brand
- The "green revolution"?
