Name:______________________________Date:_______________Period:__________
Genetics Socratic Seminar
We will be researching GENETIC ENGINEERING and discussing our results. For each topic,
you will write your opinion, then you will choose at least ONE reading from the list assigned.
Based on your readings, your opinion should be backed up by two facts.
The day of the Socratic Seminar you will share at least one opinion (backed up by two facts)
and one question in the discussion. You may use your notes during the discussion.
Define GENETIC ENGINEERING:
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Topic 1:
GMO’s in Food
How does this topic relate to Genetic Engineering?
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How does this topic relate to your daily life?
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Identify 3 pros and 3 cons
Pros:
Cons:
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Opinion: What is your overall opinion about this topic?
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Write ONE opinion you want to share, backed up by TWO facts, and ONE question you
have for this topic.
Topic 2 :
Cloning
How does this topic relate to Genetic Engineering?
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Relate this topic to your daily life.
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Identify 3 pros, and 3 cons.
Pros:
Cons:
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Opinion: What is your overall opinion about this topic?
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Write ONE opinion you want to share, backed up by TWO facts, and ONE question you
have for this topic.
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Be prepared to defend your opinions in front of the class!
Grading:
You will be graded on
 Both handouts given in class (Genetics Socratic Seminar and Genetics
Socratic Seminar Reflection.
 Two index cards per topic, one with your opinion and two facts from the
readings, one with a question you have.
 Participation the day of the Seminar.
 Self Assessment Exit Ticket.
Please refer to the Rubric for more details.
Genetics Socratic Seminar Reflection
We will be discussing GENETIC ENGINEERING related topics today in class. Your teacher will
start a topic, and you will share opinions and ask questions. Based on your research, your
opinion should be backed up by two facts. You must share at least one opinion and one
question per topic in the discussion. You may use your notes during the discussion. Be listening,
because you will need to know this material.
Respond to the following questions:
GMO’s in Food:
1. Did your opinion change? Why or why not?
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Cloning:
2. Did your opinion change? Why or why not?
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3. What is the most interesting thing you learned in your research?
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4. What is the most interesting thing you learned in today’s discussion?
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5. How did this Socratic seminar reinforce the characteristics of curiosity and skepticism that
scientists have?
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SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Use these links and library databases.
GMOs:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/are-biotech-foods-safe-to-eat
Food & Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO): (http://www.fao.org) specifically:
http://www.fao.org/search/en/?cx=018170620143701104933%3Aqq82jsfba7w&q=gmo&cof=FORID%3
A9&siteurl=www.fao.org%2Fhome%2Fen%2F&ref=&ss=236j33050j3
http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/basic_genetics.shtm
http://chge.med.harvard.edu/topic/genetically-modified-foods info, easier, more against
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/genetically-modified-foods-what-is-and-isnttrue/2013/10/15/40e4fd58-3132-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html
http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons-genetically-modified-foods/
Cloning:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whyclone/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whatiscloning/
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=282
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/pecorino.html
http://whyfiles.org/shorties/clone_ethics1.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/baby/cloning.html
http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons-human-cloning/