Background Info
Most students have strong opinions on whether they support the creation and use of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs). Most of these opinions rest on arguments conveyed in the media, which students accept without much
reflection or consideration. Golden Rice (Ye et al., 2000) is a GMO created for humanitarian purposes with funding from
philanthropic organizations. It benefits the consumers, instead of the producers, by boosting the nutritional content of
the plant. Golden Rice synthesizes pre-vitamin A in its grain, an essential chemical often lacking in the diets of people in
developing regions. This is done by transferring genes naturally found in the synthetic pathway of pre-vitamin A of other
plants into rice DNA. The trait is then bred into local rice varieties. The grain is offered free of charge to subsistence
farmers. Often cited concerns about GMOs such as environmental factors (monoculture, cross-fertilization), health risks,
financial accessibility, and intellectual property rights are not as clear-cut with Golden Rice. Consequently, in considering
whether they support or oppose the use of Golden Rice, students must examine the reasons for their opinion.
Step 1 – Get Informed on One Position
In this phase of the intimate debate, each group is provided with a list of facts and arguments supporting or opposing
the use of Golden Rice in developing countries. Half of the teams receive a handout that consists of a list of Pro
arguments (included below), and half the teams
receive a handout listing Con arguments (also available below). You can hand out the two lists randomly to each team or
(to facilitate the logistics later) you can provide a Pro list to the teams on the right-hand side of the classroom and the
Con list to the teams on the left-hand side of the classroom. Each team has 10 minutes to review the evidence provided
in the list. The teams’ task is to structure the evidence into the main issues and arguments supporting
their position. They may ask questions of the instructor to clarify terminology or concepts. Students should be
encouraged to take notes, as the handout will be collected after the 10-minute preparation period. They will therefore
not be allowed to use the handout at the next stage of the debate, but they will be able to use their notes. Each student
should be responsible for understanding each argument, as they may not be able to rely upon their peers to explain it to
others. Students generally request more than 10 minutes, but I do not allow it. This is a task in quickly assimilating and
structuring information.
Questions to answer for homework.
GMOs
1. What is similar and different about Golden Rice and other GMOs?
2. What is the function of genes typically inserted in the DNA of GM plants? In Golden Rice?
3. Some claims have been made that GMOs may have a higher allergenicity than plants bred with traditional methods.
Why might this be? Is this likely in Golden Rice?
4. Traditional breeders can subject their plants to radiation and chemicals to alter their DNA and create variants. These
plants’ DNA does not have to be inspected before the resulting plant is commercialized. GMOs, on the other hand, are
subject to extensive tests to ensure that the inserted or modified DNA is characterized very precisely. Should the two
types of plants be subjected to different safety evaluation standards? Do they represent different risks to health and
safety?
5. What is “cross-fertilization”? Why is cross-fertilization a concern for GMOs? Is this a concern for Golden Rice?
6. Who typically benefits from the use of GMOs (what improvement do GMOs show , who has access and uses them,
how are profits made)? Who benefits from the use of Golden Rice?
7. Who develops and owns the property rights to GMOs? To Golden Rice?
8. How might this affect your decision to support or oppose the use of GMOs?
Genetically Modified Organisms Debate Question Sheet, Pro questions:
1. What is the primary cause of childhood blindness & contributing factor to over a million deaths in children per
year?
2. What is the caloric intake in Bangladesh from rice?
3. What is the amount of β-carotene found in the new GR seed?
4. What amount of money must farmers make in order to pay for GR? Are they also allowed to keep seeds to sow
for the next season?
5. Is it possible to introduce the GR trait into any local variety crop? What benefit would this produce if possible?
6. Does a GM insertion have to be “clean” if so, why?
7. Do all populations have equal access to vitamin A-rich foods? Why or why not?
8. Would farmers need to be given GR for each growing season or would they only need to receive it once to
produce future crops? What benefit would this provide?
9. Have scientists found any harm to organisms that have been given a diet rich in Vitamin A?
10. Where does most opposition to GMO’s come from?
11. Could GR harm a native/wild rice plant if it were exposed to it?
12. What number of Philippine rice growers was willing to grow a GMO rice strain with a different color? What was
their stipulation to grow it?
Genetically Modified Organisms Debate Question Sheet, Pro questions:
1. What is the primary cause of childhood blindness & contributing factor to over a million deaths in children per
year?
2. What is the caloric intake in Bangladesh from rice?
3. What is the amount of β-carotene found in the new GR seed?
4. What amount of money must farmers make in order to pay for GR? Are they also allowed to keep seeds to sow
for the next season?
5. Is it possible to introduce the GR trait into any local variety crop? What benefit would this produce if possible?
6. Does a GM insertion have to be “clean” if so, why?
7. Do all populations have equal access to vitamin A-rich foods? Why or why not?
8. Would farmers need to be given GR for each growing season or would they only need to receive it once to
produce future crops? What benefit would this provide?
9. Have scientists found any harm to organisms that have been given a diet rich in Vitamin A?
10. Where does most opposition to GMO’s come from?
11. Could GR harm a native/wild rice plant if it were exposed to it?
12. What number of Philippine rice growers was willing to grow a GMO rice strain with a different color? What was
their stipulation to grow it?
Genetically Modified Organisms Debate Question Sheet, Con Questions:
1. How much β-carotene is actually absorbed by the body compared to what is consumed?
2. Is GMO straight forward in practice, if not, what are problems with it?
3. What is necessary for β-carotene to be absorbed by the body? Why is this hard to get in rice eating
countries?
4. What could happen if GR rice potentially outcrosses with wild rice?
5. What would happen to genetic diversity if GR is cultivated across the world? Why is genetic diversity so
important in crops?
6. What are some possible health concerns of eating foods that have been genetically altered by transferring
genes between plants?
7. Where does the Vitamin A come from in GR? Where does regular rice produce its own Vitamin A?
8. Adding β-carotene can change the color of the rice, why would this be important?
9. What measures must occur in order for all countries to used and produce GR? Is this financially reasonable?
10. What do GMO opponents really see GR as?
11. Why have some countries banned the use of GMO’s?
12. What percentage of European consumers find that GMO’s are dangerous?
Genetically Modified Organisms Debate Question Sheet, Con Questions:
1. How much β-carotene is actually absorbed by the body compared to what is consumed?
2. Is GMO straight forward in practice, if not, what are problems with it?
3. What is necessary for β-carotene to be absorbed by the body? Why is this hard to get in rice eating countries?
4. What could happen if GR rice potentially outcrosses with wild rice?
5. What would happen to genetic diversity if GR is cultivated across the world? Why is genetic diversity so
important in crops?
6. What are some possible health concerns of eating foods that have been genetically altered by transferring genes
between plants?
7. Where does the Vitamin A come from in GR? Where does regular rice produce its own Vitamin A?
8. Adding β-carotene can change the color of the rice, why would this be important?
9. What measures must occur in order for all countries to used and produce GR? Is this financially reasonable?
10. What do GMO opponents really see GR as?
11. Why have some countries banned the use of GMO’s?
12. What percentage of European consumers find that GMO’s are dangerous?