Organic Farming with Gene Editing?

This week we take a look at a piece that discusses the relationship between genetic engineering/CRISPR/mutation breeding and organic agriculture. This is often a controversial topic that can get heated. We encourage you to read through the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to have civil conversations with others around the globe.

Organic farming with gene editing: An oxymoron or a tool for sustainable agriculture?

Discussion Points

• Explain the difference between genetic engineering, CRISPR, and mutation breeding.
• How are countries and groups looking at CRISPR differently around the globe?
• How does society in your home country look at genetic engineering, CRISPR, and mutation breeding? Do other countries view these practices differently or similarly?
• What do you see as the future of these practices/technologies and their relationships to conventional and organic farming around the globe? Do you see organic producers accepting practices like this in the future? Explain your reasoning.

Gene Editing and Global Hunger

This week we take a look at the potential impact of gene editing and genetic modifications to impact hunger at a global level. This topic often can become controversial, but there are opportunities for great discussion if civil discussions can occur. We encourage you to utilize the discussion points below to have conversations around gene editing and genetic modifications in agriculture with others. It is important to have these conversations with those in agriculture, but we challenge you to have these conversations with those not directly tied to agriculture as well. Everyone is a consumer and needs to know their options and be able to make educated decisions.

Can gene editing provide a solution to global hunger?

Discussion Points

• How can genetically modified or gene edited crops help combat global hunger?
• What is the difference between genetically modifying and gene editing?
• What are the benefits and concerns with gene editing and gene modification? 
• Do some additional research. What does science say about the safety of gene editing and genetic modification of agricultural products?
• In your opinion what role will gene editing and gene modification play in the role of battling global hunger? What has it's role in the past been?

Gene Editing and Cattle

Scientists in China have genetically edited cattle by inserting a gene that increases their resistance to bovine tuberculosis. This has been tried before, but until this time they have not seen the success with avoiding off target genetic effects. Below we have provided a link to a recent article for your review and encourage you to engage in conversation with others around the globe utilizing the discussion points.

Article: Tuberculosis-resistant cows developed for the first time using CRISPR technology 

Discussion Points

• Why do scientists in China feel this is such a breakthrough? What are the benefits?
• Explain the technology they utilized to accomplish this (CRISPR/Cas9). If needed do a quick internet search on the process. There are even many videos on Youtube that explain the process.
• It was noticed that before this time when they attempted this procedure they would find off target genetic effects. Explain what this means.
• How do you see this being perceived in your local community? State? Country? And around the world? Will different regions view this science differently?
• Finally, you are challenged to see both sides of the argument. Some are very excited about this and others are fearful. See if you can list out the arguments from both sides and then try to research what facts there are to support each respective argument.