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Harvest of Fear
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Program Overview
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What are the arguments for and against genetically engineered foods?
Join NOVA and FRONTLINE as they track the debate and explore the
issues.
The program:
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explains how scientists use genetic engineering to isolate a
specific gene from one organism and insert it into another,
possibly unrelated, organism.
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provides examples of benefits of this technique, including
engineering plants that can survive being sprayed by weedkiller
or can create their own pest defenses.
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introduces opposition that states there is no way to predict
with complete certainty what effects these genetically
engineered plants may have on the environment.
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presents concerns that genes from an engineered plant could
spawn superweeds and superbugs.
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reviews the practice of planting a 10 percent "refuge" around
crops in which insects can reside.
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speculates on fear that proteins produced by inserted genes
might be dangerous, either because the proteins themselves are
allergenic or because they might alter the plant's chemistry,
making it toxic.
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examines the need for genetically engineered foods, including
the claim that these foods will help reduce starvation and
improve nutrition in developing countries.
Note: The use of the term genetically modified foods in this
lesson refers to foods that have been modified via genetic
engineering.
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