Activity
5
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“Thar’s Gold in Them Thar Rice” modified
from Gerald F. Combs, Jr.’s “All that Glitters May not be Gold: a troublesome
case of transgenic rice” |
Image
credit: International Rice Research Institute. 2002. http://www.irri.org/VIS/learn.htm
modified
August 2002
Learner
Outcomes
·
explore a use for
genetically modified organisms
·
discover the problem
of micronutrient malnutrition, especially Vitamin A deficiency, and possible
solutions
·
debate the issues
involved in cultivation of genetically-modified organisms
·
sort through a complex
problem and form an opinion
“Golden
Rice, huh?” said Rep. Carl Bunsen from Minnesota, “there’s white rice, brown
rice, and our own wild rice of Minnesota, but now Golden Rice.” Rep. Bunsen was referring to the
genetically-engineered Golden RiceTM, the transgenic rice into which
a beta-carotene gene had been added from another plant species. This foodstuff
was being promoted as the solution to global vitamin A deficiency by its
developers at the International Rice Research Institute. Rep. Bunsen was looking into issues
surrounding what he had called "hidden hunger," micronutrient
malnutrition. Rep. Bunsen had been in
the U.S. Congress since the Green Revolution and felt agriculture had come a
long way, but needed to go further, to help world hunger.
The Green Revolution was an
international movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s that believed malnutrition in
developing countries was caused mainly by protein and food energy deficiencies. Scientists succeeded in substantially
increasing food production in poor countries by focusing on the major staple
grains: rice, wheat, and maize (corn). These cereal crops were viewed as the
best source for increasing food energy and protein. However, cereals provide
few nutrients other than calories and protein, and milling (in the case of rice
and wheat) removes most of their vitamins and minerals (micronutrients). The
availability of new, high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice and wheat have been
attractive alternatives to the more nutrient-balanced pulse (grain legume)
crops, which are highly dependent on the weather and, thus, present greater
risks to farmers. This benefit has led to widespread adoption of HYVs, reducing
the diversity of major cropping systems and the production of
micronutrient-dense pulses. Thus, while the Green Revolution is credited with
averting the wide-scale food shortages and attendant protein-energy
malnutrition that seemed imminent in the 1960s, their effort did not address
(and may even have contributed to) deficiencies in such micronutrients as iron,
zinc, and vitamin A, which have recently emerged as major public health
problems--now referred to as "hidden hunger."
Rep.
Bunsen was preparing for a public hearing that would decide whether the U.S.
should fund further research into genetically-engineered agricultural crops
that would help to solve micronutrient malnutrition in developing
countries. Golden Rice seemed to be the
only micronutrient-enhanced staple being developed by any means,
conventional or otherwise. Bunsen knew
that genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) were a hot topic abroad and not
well-accepted in many foreign countries.
This hearing could be interesting. “At least, I will have help from Cindy
and Campbell,” he thought.
Cindy Stacey was Bunsen’s agricultural and international
development expert. She was a former
Peace Corps volunteer who had taught English in Bangladesh for two years. In the poor villages where she had lived,
outside of the port city of Chittagong, she had been shocked at the blindness
and bone deformities, the goiter and diarrhea she saw. She was also amazed at the number of kids
who suffered from stunting and the crippling, brittle bones of old women, both
of which were so prevalent that they became an accepted part of the lives of
these very poor people. Cindy didn't like the term "hidden hunger"
for something that had slapped her in the face. But she was very pleased that Mr. Bunsen wanted to address this
issue. That, in fact, had been the
major reason she had taken this job.
Campbell Hurst was Rep. Bunsen's executive assistant. His
job was to make sure that Mr. Bunsen had the information he needed when he
needed it, which required that he be mindful of the congressman's political
agenda. His career future was tied to
Mr. Bunsen's political success and Cindy suspected that was why he tried to
steer the congressman into the most politically safe decisions whenever he
could.
Bunsen looked at the list of witnesses for the hearing who
would be providing testimony on different aspects of funding Golden Rice. They included:
1) Food hunger experts that would be testifying on
Vitamin A deficiencies in the world.
2) Scientists from the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) that developed Golden Rice that would discuss the benefits of
Golden Rice
3) Representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGO) that would
be concerned that funding for the expensive Golden Rice program would detract
from funding for other international efforts related to food, agriculture, and
market development.
4) Representatives from a group of farmers from
developing countries that are worried that IRRI will exploit the farmers.
5) Representatives from Green Peace that feels that
GMOs are dangerous and should not be used at all.
“Yes, this hearing will be interesting,” Bunsen
concluded.
Your Task:
Your group (assigned in
class) will represent one of the five groups listed above (food hunger experts,
IRRI scientists, NGO representatives, farmers, Green Peace representatives) and
research the arguments that each group brings to the table. The overall issue is whether the U.S. should
fund further research into genetically-engineered agricultural crops that would
help to solve micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries. Your position, as one of the 5 stakeholders
in this debate, will include not only the argument of your chosen group, but
also an overall vote (yes or no) as to whether the U.S. should continue to fund
such programs.
The position and argument
for each group, as well as several helpful websites are listed below. These resources are by no means an
exhaustive list, and you may search and seek out additional sites to fully
understand and support your argument.
You will prepare a position paper in which you will address the argument
of your group of stakeholders.
Clearly state
your argument in the introduction to your paper, and have at least four (4) cited references within
your paper to support your side of the argument. Cite these references in the text of your paper as well as
numbering them 1 through 4 (or more) and listing them alphabetically by the
first author’s last name at the end of your paper. Remember that even when citing material from a reference, you
always need to paraphrase the text from your reference you’re your own words
and then cite the source at the end of the sentence (use the numbers 1-4 from
your bibliography to cite the references in the text of your paper). You must avoid using quotation marks to
directly quote a source verbatim – you will lose points and potentially be
reprimanded for plagiarism if you do not paraphrase and appropriately cite your
references. Your paper should
include an introduction section where you define and clearly outline the issue,
the body of the paper where you state your position and support it thoroughly
with references, and a concluding section where you wrap up and summarize your
position. The best way to be persuasive
in your position is not only to advocate your chosen argument, but to also
include potentially opposing arguments and indicate why your position is
preferable to any others. Your paper
should be typed, double-spaced, no more than 1” margins and 12 point font, and
probably in the range of 3-5 pages. You
will turn in your group papers and present your group argument in class on
Friday March 18.
Helpful websites for all
groups:
P. Parameswaran.
2001. Europe's
"golden" rice arrives in Asia amid controversy. http://www.biotech-info.net/asian_controversy.html
British Broadcast Company News. 2000.
Deal signed on golden rice. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/752378.stm
Also
explore: http://www.biotech-info.net/golden.html for many relevant links
Position
papers from different interest groups
– Be sure to look at arguments of other groups when preparing your testimony to
make sure you do not duplicate information.
Choose one of the following five positions and address the argument of
your chosen group in your paper.
Websites listed are possible resources, but by no means are the only
applicable references. You should also
search for additional websites, books or journal articles that may support your
position. There are lots of good
resources to be found in our library as well as online.
1) Food hunger experts that would be testifying on
Vitamin A deficiencies in the world.
Argument:
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious health
danger in developing nations. Include sources of Vitamin A and distribution of
VAD around the world.
Resources:
Söderberg, L., M. Collin, R. Shirima, M. Lövdahl and
W. Massawe. 1998. Vitamin A
deficiency. http://www.nutrition.uu.se/studentprojects/group97/vita/
World Health Organisation. Micronutrients deficiencies: combating Vitamin A deficiency. http://www.who.int/nut/vad.htm
2) Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that developed Golden Rice that would discuss the process of developing Golden Rice and its benefits
Argument:
Golden Rice can make a significant contribution to
the global problem in Vitamin A deficiency
Resources:
International Rice Research Institute. Rice science for a better world. http://www.irri.org/
International Rice Research Institute. 2001. Golden
rice: The eyes of the world are watching.
http://www.irri.org/ar2001/datta.pdf
3) Representatives from non-governmental
organizations (NGO) that would be concerned that funding for the expensive
Golden Rice program would detract from funding for other international efforts
toward sustainable development.
Arguments:
ü
Research and
development efforts would be more efficient and effective if they went toward
promoting sustainable agriculture, using traditional methods embedded in local
cultural practices.
ü
Vitamin A supplement
programs would be more cost-effective.
Resources:
Institute of Science in Society. The 'Golden Rice' - An Exercise in How Not
to Do Science. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/rice.php
Genetic Resources Action International. Grains of Delusion: golden rice seen from
the ground. http://www.grain.org/publications/delusion-en.cfm
United States Agency for International Development.
Unknown. Global Health: ensuring
adequate Vitamin A intake. http://www.usaid.gov/pop_health/cs/csvita.htm
4) Representatives from a group of farmers from
developing countries that are worried that IRRI will exploit the farmers.
Arguments:
ü
Genetic engineering is
more likely to benefit those that produce the GMO then the farmer that uses it.
ü Golden Rice does not meet all Vitamin A needs and
alternative crops or inexpensive Vitamin A supplements would be far more
effective in combating Vitamin A deficiencies.
Resources:
Porphyry, R.
2001. Golden Chance/ Levels of
Vitamin A Required To Prevent Deficiency". AgBioView Post. http://www.biotech-info.net/golden_chance.html
Kirschenmann, F.
1999. Biotechnology on the
Ground: what kind of future can farmers expect and what kind should they
create?"
http://www.biotech-info.net/biotech_onthe_ground.html
5) Representatives from Greenpeace that feel GMOs are dangerous and should not be used at all.
Arguments:
Genetically-modified organisms are dangerous because
they can inadvertently add allergens or toxins to food, cause farmers to use
more herbicides in the environment, and produce super-weeds, plants that can
grow uncontrollably and out-compete native vegetation.
Resources:
Greenpeace. 2002. Position on genetic engineering of foods. http://archive.greenpeace.org/~geneng/