Key themes Role of the EU in changing society; challenges of global interdependence and responsibility Pupils could use the article (right) as the basis for a debate on the merits and demerits of GM food: would they accept GM crops in the school canteen? They could create a decision flowchart on how GM crops are accepted or rejected by EU countries and discuss whether the process is democratic or not. They might research the role and arguments of Greenpeace regarding GM issues. Alternatively, they could conduct a survey to discover community views about GM crops. Are people ignorant of the issues? Are most people in favour of GM foods?
Arguments in favour
Fewer pesticides and herbicides, thus benefiting the environment
Can be grown where conventional crops fail
Increased nutrients, yields, taste and quality
No proven health risks
Conserves resources such as water and energy
Encourages investment in research and development of technologies Arguments against
Science is tampering with nature
It’s a crude and imprecise technology that could produce harmful effects we don’t yet know about
Cross-contamination and pollination between GM crops and organic and conventional crops
Loss of flora and fauna biodiversity
Escaping genes could create superweeds highly resistant to pests
Potential impact on human health : allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown health effects
Assists domination of world food production by a few companies
cost benefit to consumers. Only marginal benefits to farmers
Their use is unnecessary and diverts attention and funding away from sustainable agriculture and research technologies.
Greenpeace www.greenpeace.org.uk
Monsanto The company supports an education site on biotechnology: lscgw1.monsanto.combiotechbbasics.nsfindex.html?OpenPage
