Michigan Agriscience and Natural Resources
BIOTECHNOLOGY
FOR THE FUTURE
Agricultural and Extension Education
Michigan State University
410 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
PREFACE
Biotechnology is the development of new products by using biological processes. Biotechnology continues to shape our lives and expands as a vital force in providing us with food and fiber, improved health, and general well-being. It is an essential component of instruction for today's youth. The daily needs of our society is continually being shaped by biotechnology. We must begin to understand the potential of these revolutionary new developments and communicate this potential to our youth through a focused curriculum process. Producing new and better foods at lower costs with reduced potential for environmental hazards is an exciting possibility through biotechnology.
In the past, agricultural education has succeeded in delivering new knowledge and technologies from research centers and universities to individuals throughout the country. Today agricultural education must take the lead in the development of biotechnology curriculum and the diffusion of it to the youth of our world. This publication is designed for use by teachers of science and agriculture in informing students about the meaning, importance, and opportunities available in biotechnology.
The purpose of this project was to provide a scientific curriculum that accurately portrays biotechnology and its effect on today's society. This activity guide and accompanying video tape were developed to provide a resource for Michigan secondary science and agriscience programs. The student activities can be individually incorporated within science/agriscience classes as supplementary material or the document can be used to teach a separate course on biotechnology. The very latest biotechnology advances are displayed in the video tape and the scientific concepts are reinforced within the activity. The activities may be utilized by individuals working on class projects or by special interest groups working toward environmental and agriscience awareness.
To check out a copy of "Biotechnology For The Future" for preview, please contact:
AEE Resource Center
Room 10 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
(517) 353-3175
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Grateful acknowledgement is extended to Dr. Maxine Ferris, Outreach Communications, for initiating the collaborative effort, Dr. Mariam Sticklen, Pesticide Research Center and Dr. Jack Elliot, Agricultural and Extension Education, for initiating the idea and supporting the development of this joint venture. Also, thank you to Bob Newman, Dave Luciani, Steve Evans and the staff of Outreach Communications for their technical assistance working with the Michigan State University Pesticide Research Center in compiling the biotechnology video tape.
A special thanks to Dr. Jake Wamhoff, Chair Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, for his support through the development of this project and to Cammie Krueger for her assistance with completion of the activity guide.
Project staff: Dr. Jack Elliot, Director
Mr. Dave Krueger, Project Editor
Ms. Rebekah Hanson, Secretary
Ms. Diane Verlinde, Secretary
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE
MICHIGAN AGRISCIENCE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Biotechnology An Introduction
References
A. What if Biotechnology
B. Biotechnology Today
C. Biotechnology in Agriculture
D. Biotechnology in Medicine
E. Biotechnology in Environmental Science
II. Career Opportunities in Biotechnology
References
A. Careers in Biotechnology
III. The History of Biotechnology
A. The history of DNA: A Timeline
B. The History of a Meal
IV. Applications of Biotechnology: Genetic Engineering
References
A. Gene Splicing
B. The Size of the Genome
C. How Genes Make Proteins
D. DNA Molecule Model
V. Applications of Biotechnology: Microbal Biotechnology
References
A. The Effect of Hand washing Microorganisms
B. Bacteria Bottles
C. Identification of Foods Produced by Fermentation
D. The Role of Microorganisms in Biodegradation
E. Nitrogen Fixation with Inoculated Clover Seeds
F. Where Are Microorganisms Located
G. Growing Microorganisms
VI. Applications of Biotechnology: Plant Biotechnology
References
A. Jumping Genes in Corn
B. Hydroponic Greenhouse Systems
C. Cytoplasmic Inheritance of Leaf Variegation
D. Micropropagation of Dry Bean Shoot Tips
E. Tissue Culture of Cauliflower
F. Diagnostic Testing (ph, nitrates, aflatoxin)
VII. Application of Biotechnology: Animal Biotechnology
References
A. Antigen-Antibody Reactions
B. Evaluating Semen
VIII. Applications of Biotechnology: Natural Resources
References
A. Building a Closed-system Biome
B. Air Pollution (Acid Rain)
C. The Greenhouse Effect
D. Methane from Garbage
E. Oil Spills
F. Water Pollution and Water Plants
G. Salt Concentration as an Environmental Factor
Affecting Plant Growth
H. Selecting Soil Organisms
References
A. Evaluating a Biotechnology News Article
B. Concerns about Biotechnology
C. Opinion Poll about Biotechnology
D. Position Paper on Ethics of Biotechnology
E. Animal Rights
F. Animal Ethics