Tokyo Adventures

For our final full day in Japan, we made a day trip to Tokyo by train. We started the day off by visiting the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. There were numerous interactive and engaging exhibits to explore. The museum is supported by Sakura Science who also provided funding for this exchange experience. We were able to explore many different parts of the city and had to deal with some rain showers off and on. During one of the heavier rains, we stopped off at a Burger King for lunch and made sure to compare to what we know Burger King as in the United States. 

Following lunch, we ventured to the Sensouji Temple. The architecture was magnificent. Around the temple there were many gift shops and stores for us to explore. After a busy day we returned to Kofu and took advantage of some last-minute shopping. We look forward to safe travels in the days ahead as we return to Iowa. 

GMOs Global Impact

The debate on GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) has been debated for years globally. CAST recently shared video and text titled "Gains Foregone by Going GMO Free: Potential Impacts on Consumers, the Environment, and Agricultural Producers." Cast is an international consortium of scientific and professional societies, universities, companies, nonprofits, libraries, and individuals who assemble, interpret, and communicate credible, unbiased, science-based information for all populations. Linked below is a one-page summary of the media regarding "Gains Foregone by Going GMO Free." We encourage you to investigate the document linked and utilize the discussion points to guide conversations with others around the globe.

Gains Forgone by Going GMO Free

Discussion Points

• How are GMOs viewed in your home region? Does this align with CAST's findings?
• What are the global impacts of GMOs? Consider health, environment, and poverty.
• In many Global South countries GMOs are not allowed. What are the impacts of these bans? 
• Do you believe science has been attacked lately (at home and/or around the globe)? Explain your reasoning and if you believe this is a problem what might be done?

CRISPR Access to Fight Hunger

Science and technology advancements are often expensive and therefore can be unavailable to those who need it most. A university in the Netherlands is breaking the mold and offering access to CRISPR-Cas technology to non-profits in the fight against food insecurity. The linked release includes text and a couple videos regarding the announcement and an explanation of CRISPR-Cas. We encouraged you to explore the linked news release below and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe. 

WUR gives away CRISPR intellectual property licenses 

Discussion Points

• What is CRISPR-Cas technology?
• How does CRISPR-Cas technology have the potential to fight hunger around the world?
• Why is the concept of granting complimentary licenses of CRISPR-Cas technology such a ground-breaking concept? Do you think this is a good thing or not?
• Should other universities and companies follow this example with CRISPR-Cas and other scientific technologies? Why or why not? Do you see this as common practice in the future? Do you think different countries around the world have different outlooks?