Week 10

Module 9.7: Biotechnology


Question: Describe at two potential benefits and controversies in relation to the application of GM (genetically modified) products. (4 marks)

Outcome H7: analyses the impact of natural and human processes on biodiversity


Marking Guidelines: 
-identifies TWO benefits & TWO controversies AND
-provides features of EACH of the identified benefits and controversies (4 marks)


-identifies TWO benefits and TWO controversies AND
-does NOT provide features for ALL benefits and controversies identified (3 marks)


 TWO benefits & TWO controversies are identified (2 marks)


ONE benefit & ONE controversy OR  TWO benefits/TWO controversies (1 marks)


ONE benefit OR ONE controversy (0 marks)


Sample Answer:
Potential benefits include: improved resistance to disease, pests and herbicides, increased quantity of food (greater food security for growing populations) and increase in quality of food (e.g. greater nutritional benefits).
 Potential controversies relates to safety (potential for adverse reactions in humans to the transgene in GM products. e.g allergic reactions), ethics (tampering with nature by mixing genes across species) and loss of biodiversity (genetically identical plants and animals).


Difficulty of Question: Band 4 Question to obtain full marks.


References: 


CSIRO (2010), Ethics of Biotechnology, Retrieved from http://www.biotechnologyonlin.gov.au/biotec/ethics.html on 7/10/2011


Human Genome Project Information (November 5, 2008), Genetically Modified Foods & Organisms, Retrieved from http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml on 7/10/2011


NSW Board of Studies (2009), Biology: Stage 6 Syllabus, Retrieved from http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/pdf_doc/biology-st6-syl-from2010.pdf on 7/10/2011