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The first Green Revolution occurred in the 1960s as a result of advances in plant breeding and the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Although the Green Revolution increased food production world wide, there have been problems including the pollution of water and soil, soil erosion, a loss of biodiversity and farmer dependence on chemical companies and their products. Currently, the second green revolution is underway: the Green Gene Revolution. Instead of the imprecise and lengthy process of plant breeding, scientist have the ability to add specific traits from any organism into the plant of choice. As with all scientific advances, this comes with great hope for feeding the world as well as potential dangers. This class is designed to introduce students to the basic science behind both traditional methods of plant breeding including patterns of inheritance, the meaning of genes and heritability, from the Maya through Mendel and the 1960s, and newer techniques used in the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including cloning genes for transfer, introducing genes back into plants, the use of antibiotic resistance genes, and genetically engineered plant viruses. Using this foundation, students will then explore related issues including ethics, environmental effects, food safety, political, economical and historical aspects of GMO crops.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM MB&B Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE
Last Updated on MAR-19-2004
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459