CRSPER/CAS9andBiomimeticApplications

ImmersionActivity

Learning Target:
I can analyze how various organisms grow, develop, and change during their lifetimes based on the interaction of their
genetics & their environment.
I can describe the various issues surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms and possible Biomimetic Solutions in
feeding a rapidly increasing population of humans.

Part 1: Presis
In the last few years you may have heard about something called Genetically Modified Organisms. In this investigation, we
will be exploring what they are, how they work, and looking at some new biomimetric technology that has recently come
about. In the space below, make a Presis based on your current level of background knowledge about GMOs. If you need
some clarification about what GMOs are, please see the following article from Live Science.

Should we as a global society use Genetically Modified Organisms to

improve agriculture and fight disease? How could Biomimicry help us solve
some of these problems?
I believe that GMOs modified crops have become evil bio which satisfies humans and the environment.

Part 2: How GMOs Could Feed the World

Scan the following article, Feeding the World One Genetically Modified Tomato at a Time. After reading write down the
authors main points and write down your thinking on his main points. Be ready to share your thinking with a thought
partner after completing the article. For a slightly similar perspective you may wish to view Bill Nyes ideas in this video
too.

Gist Important Quote from Author Your Opinion/ Thinking/Questions

(List 3 main points)

1.Human population has grown-
threatens to further the problem in
recent years ( chronic hunger)
2.World population has doubled over
the past 50 yrs and continues to grow
100 million people each year
3. As result, more people die from
chronic hunger from Hiv/Aids, malaria,
and tuberculosis combined
4. Roughly 800 million people remain
desperate by the current worlds
farms could supply 11 billion people
w/ 2,000 calories per day
Even the most optimistic Genetically modified foods have
helped improve the production of
projections of population produce. There has been discussions
growth and climate concerning whether or not these new
change could represent GM foods will cause health impacts on
humans (populations).
potential catastrophe if
we dont improve our
means of growing,
harvesting, and
distributing crops.

Part 3: Enter CRSPER, A Different Choice.

Scan the following article, Genome Edited Plants, Without DNA . After reading write down the authors main points and
write down your thinking on his main points. Be ready to share your thinking with a thought partner after completing the
article.

Gist Important Quote from Author Your Opinion/ Thinking/Questions

(List 3 main points)

1.
2.
3.

Part 4: What exactly is CRSPER? How does it work? Is it Biomimicry?

View the following 7 minute video explaining CRSPER. After viewing write down the authors main points and write down
your thinking on his main points. Be ready to share your thinking with a thought partner after completing the article. Also,
here is an additional resource if you wish to compare and contrast each.

Gist Important Quote from Author Your Opinion/ Thinking/Questions

(List 3 main points)

1.Scientists had used CRISPR engineer
human embryos (edits DNA)
2.Found in bacteria
3.Part of bacterias immune system
(defend against those viruses)
4. Viral RNA and the Cas enzymes drift
through the cell
This power is so easily CRISPR is a naturally- occurring
mechanism found range of bacteria
accessible by labs you
(DNA) and viral cells (Cas Enzymes)
don't need a very
expensive piece of
equipment and people
don't need to get many
years of training to do
this, a systems biologist
at Stanford University in
California. We should
think carefully about how
we are going to use that
power.

Part 5: Move Over Genetic-Engineering; Biomimetic Ideas for Solving Rising Demand for Food

Scan the following article, Move Over Genetic-Engineering; Biomimicry Seems The Better Bet For Solving Global Hunger.
After reading write down the authors main points and write down your thinking on his main points. Be ready to share your
thinking with a thought partner after completing the article. If you want a slightly more sciency article, see Climate
Adaptation of Rice.

Gist Important Quote from Author Your Opinion/ Thinking/Questions

(List 3 main points)
 1.Plants have symbiotic endophytes Biotechs cant work fast

(microscopic fungi or bacteria) living in enough to meet the
them cause disease in the plant
pressures of 7 billion
2.40 yrs of climate change minimum
air temp. In rice growing season has people and climate
increased in China and the Philippines change. To meet food
predicted demands, we need to
3.Climate change affect annual yield adapt quickly. Microbial
of rice communities have always
adapted quickly.

Part 6: Short Response

Now that you have had a chance to explore some of the complex ideas in this topic go back and respond to the initial
guiding question that we began with today. Please make sure you have a strong introduction with a thesis,
reasons/details/facts, evidence to support your ideas (quotes or similar), and a conclusion to wrap up your ideas. Please see
the rubric for any other details.

Should we as a global society use Genetically Modified Organisms to

improve agriculture and fight disease? How could biomimicry help us solve
some of these problems?
As a global society, I think we should use Genetically Modified Organisms to improve agriculture and fight disease
because human society society is supported by its ability to produce food for the total population. In which requires our
agriculture methods to increase yields on farm lands and the minimized expansion of agriculture onto wild lands and
forests. But I think with expanding agriculture increase production with negative impacts on biomimicry; carbon releasing
to the atmosphere and nutrient losses. Than obtaining more food value from the same amount of land required to
efficient crops. With having Biomimicry, I think is the better way for solving these problems such as Global Hunger and
processes to solve innovation by nature. Due to biomimicry relationships with earth and ecosystems, agriculture offers
ripe grounds to transform the world into a cleaner, healthier place, create productions and our resources.

Rubric rating submitted on: 10/10/2016, 12:28:50 PM by sbayer@psdschools.org

Insufficient Evidence Partially Proficient Proficient Advanced
1 2 3 4

Organization I have little or no I have a vague I have a strong I have a smart and
Proficient3 introduction to my introduction that either introduction that sophisticated that
writing is unorganized or introduces my writing introduction that
confusing for the reader introduces my writing in
a creative way

Evidence I use little or no My supportive evidence I can provide 2-3 pieces I can provide evidence
Partially Proficient2 supportive evidence. is limited, vague, or of evidence that to support my main
lacks substance. I just support my main point point that is unique and
answer the question engaging to the listener.
without elaborating It is apparent that I have
with evidence that gone above and beyond
supports my claim. to verbalize deep and
unique ideas
 Reasoning My reasoning is absent, My reasoning is My reasoning and main My reasoning shows
Partially Proficient2 flawed, or incorrect. inconsistent and seems points show knowledge expertise, mastery
to show a lack of and understanding of and/or deep knowledge
understanding of the the topic. I use a and understanding of
the topic. I may use a substantial amount of the topic. I use multiple
scientific word or two scientific words to scientific words and
but I lack detail or support my ideas. teach the reader their
substantial relevance
understanding

Conclusion I have little or no I have a vague I have a conclusion that I have a conclusion that
Proficient3 conclusion to my writing conclusion that summarizes my main brings my ideas full
struggles to capture the points circle and summarizes
point of my writing or the broader idea of my
seems unorganized writing

Comments:
2.5 (--> 2 Incomplete Notes)... Paragraph could use some additional evidence, etc... Please make sure to complete notes
next time!