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Biology 140 Debate
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Reference Desk (413) 774-1509 |
Best place to start
Environmental Issues Research Guide
Finding books in the catalog--suggested subject searches:
- Biotechnology
- Plant biotechnology
- Plant breeding
- Crop improvement
- Crops-genetic engineering
- Genetic engineering
- Genetic engineering-moral and ethical aspects
- Genetic engineering-social aspects
- Transgenic plants
- Genetically modified foods
Suggested Sources for Both Panels
Databases
- Opposing Viewpoints
Incorporates secondary sources and articles from major newspapers and news magazines to provide coverage of major issues of the day--includes statistics, government data, laws and legislation, political positions, public policies and more - Science Reference Center (search Academic Search Premier at the same time)
Contains full text for hundreds of science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, and other sources - Access Science
Full text science encyclopedia ( McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology)--includes evaluated websites - General databases (include science topics)
Academic Search Premier (full text plus citations and abstracts only)
A general academic database that indexes over 8,000 leading publications in all subject areas, including science and medicine, and provides full text for over 4,000 of those titles
InfoTrac Web (search several databases at once)(full text plus citations and abstracts only)
Try these general databases: Academic OneFile, Expanded Academic, General OneFile - Medical databases (if they apply to the role you are playing)
Health Reference Center (1980-present)(full text plus citations only)
Indexes journals in medicine, health, and nursing and allied health plus consumer health magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, newspaper articles, topical overviews, and reference books
PubMed Central
Free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature - Science.gov (try agric* and biotech* or genet* eng* food*)
A gateway to authoritative selected science information provided by U.S. government agencies, including research and development results
Internet Sites
- Genetically Engineered Organisms: Public Issues Education Project (Cornell)
Objective educational materials exploring scientific and social issues associated with genetic engineering - Transgenic Crops: an Introduction and Research Guide (Colorado State)
Balanced information and links to other resources on the technology and issues surrounding transgenic crops (genetically modified or GM crops or foods) - Harvest of Fear: Should We Grow GM Crops? (and more) (FRONTLINE and NOVA, PBS)
- Genetic Modification (Environmental Literacy Council)
Includes additional links - Ag BioTech InfoNet
"Covers all aspects of the application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in agricultural production and food processing and marketing--focuses on scientific reports and findings and technical analysis plus emerging issues of widespread interest, developments in the policy arena, and major media coverage"--under Consumer choice, find updated consumer surveys, attitude and opinions - CAST (Council for Agricultural Science & Technology)
Presents several issue papers on biotechnology--"Applications of Biotechnology to Crops: Benefits and Risks" summarizes recent scientific developments and discusses the potential risks and benefits of applying these technologies to agricultural crops - National Center for Food & Agricultural Policy
See Impacts on US Agriculture of Biotechnology-Derived Crops Planted in 2005 - Agricultural Biotechnology (from USDA)
Frequently asked questions, laws and regulations, permitting and notification, research, trade, and more - Biotechnology (from Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
Includes publications and testimony, information for consumers, regulations, and more - Agricultural Biotechnology (from US. Department of State)
Includes a current issues archive, legal resources (international agreements and US regulations) plus additional links - U.S. Regulatory Agencies Unified Biotechnology Website
"Focuses on the agricultural products of modern biotechnology--searchable database covers genetically engineered crop plants intended for food or feed that have completed all recommended or required reviews for food, feed or planting use in the United States" - International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)
Reports and statistics on global status of GM crops--see highlights of Global Status of Commercialized Transgenic Crops - GM Food + 10 Years. How Safe is Genetically Modified Food?
- GM Organisms (articles from New Scientist)
- Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects (online book)
- Checkbiotech (latest news and updates)
- NY Times Online Archive (science/health topics)
- Google Scholar
Panel Against the a Moratorium on Biotechnology Research for Agriculture
- Agricultural Biotechnology (USDA) (highlights virtues of AgBiotech--endorses genetically modified foods)
- Biotechnology Industry Organization (news, information, and links)
- AgBioWorld (news, information--primarily pro-GMF)
- Monsanto (search the database--pro-GMF information)
- Dupont (pro-GMF information)
- Pew Initiative on Food & Biotechnology Survey
Economist
economic benefits, including data
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
- Try the search: genetically modified foods and economic
- ERS (USDA Economic Research Service)
Report on economic issues with active links to various chapters - AccessExcellence (preliminary review of the economic impact in the U.S.)
Secretary of Agriculture in Third World Country
current methods not adequate for solving food shortages--3rd world focus
biotechnology can increase production and reduce losses from pests/diseases
reduce dependency on toxic pesticides which harm environment
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"--AgBioWorld (pro-biotechnology slant relating to developing countries)
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)(global issues)
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Program)(global issues)
- American Institute of Biological Science (strongly favorable for third world agriculture)
Food Industry Representative
science of genetic engineering--potential applications for agriculture
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
- Monsanto (search "clinical trials" for articles proving the safety of GMF food products)
Farmers' Co-Op Representative
biotechnology has potential to improve farming practices, including production of more grain and reduction in dependence on chemicals for pest control
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
- Librarians had difficulty finding information on benefits of biotechnology for family farms or small farms--use general information on how it would improve production, etc.
Physician (nutritionist)
possibilities of GMF's to address some nutritional issues, including delivery of vitamins, vaccines, or general improvement of nutritional value--reduce compounds that lead to allergies--educate panel on scientific basis for genetic engineering as a toolf or improving plants
- Try suggested sources for both panels, especially Science Reference Center, PubMed, and Science.gov
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
- Try searches like:
genetically modified foods and nutrition
biotech* and agric*
genetic* eng* food - Environmental Health & Toxicology (look for genetically modified foods and/or search ToxNet for articles on medical issues)
Biotechnology Research Scientist
scientific basis for genetic engineering as a potential tool for improving plants
novel traits allowed by this technology
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
Pregnant Mother of 2 Children, Chairwoman of Non-Profit Organization, ANM (Allergic No-More)
promises that genetically jodified food can be allergen free and potentially life-saving
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "against a moratorium"
- Environmental Health & Toxicology (look for "genetically modified foods"--also try ToxNet on that site)
- Librarians had difficulty finding information--found information about GMFs causing allergies, but little on preventing allergies
Panel in Support of a Moratorium on Biotechnology Research for Agriculture
- Union of Concerned Scientists (covers many aspects with watch-dog focus)
- Greenpeace: Genetic Engineering (see also GE Industry, Bans & Labeling, and GE Reports))
- University of Wisconsin WhyFiles (search "biotechnology and agriculture" and "genetically modified foods" or use drop down menus and and choose "food")
Fit to Eat?
Genetically Modified Crops
Field of Genes - True Food Network: the Grassroots Network for the Center of Food Safety
- MassPirg (fact sheet covering the risks of agricultural biotechnology, including health and environmental issues)
Economist
sufficient crop production to feed the world, but problem is distribution, not production
bioengineering could have negative effect on global grain market
need for specific goals and parameters to biotech research
specific criteria to be met before biotech research resumes
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
- FAO (global issues)
- UNEP (global issues)
Pregnant Mother of Children, Chairwoman of Non-Profit Organization, Mothers Against FrankenFood
potentially dangerous effects of genetically-altered food (FrankenFood)
health risks to children
- Try suggested sources for both panels, especially Opposing Viewpoints, Health Reference Center, PubMed, and Science.gov (health risks and genetically modified foods)
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- University of Wisconsin WhyFiles (articles on potential for allergies)
On the menu: food allergies
Beyond sniffles and watery eyes - Will FrankenFood Save the Planet?
Ecologist, Union of Concerned Scientists (special interest in Entymology)
consequences of altering cropos on other organisms in ecosystem, especially insects
insufficient research on the effect of manipulating flowering crops on insects
biotechnology will diminish genetic diversity necessary for crop plants to evolve
genetically alterming crops will accelerate the extinction of organisms in ecosystem
potential to be devastating to biological diversity
- Try suggested sources for both panels, especially science databases
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
- American Institute of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology in Crops:
Issues for the Developing World)
Religious Activist
messing with DNA means messing with God
biotechnology is unethical, immoral, and irresponsible
large percentage of U.S. voting population agrees
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- In general and/or science databases, try the search: America* and opinion and genet* and modified and food
- Academic OneFile (search by subject--genetic engineering--religious aspects)
Good article: "Genetic engineering opposed for religious reasons" - Search several general InfoTrac databases by subject: genetic engineering--religious aspects
Good article: "Unholy harvest" from Christianity Today - Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
Organic Farmer
GMFs are part of agribusiness squeezing small farmers/businesses out of the market
agribusiness forces people to eat unhealthy and tasteless food for a longer shelf life
how can crops of organic farmers compete with crops designed by scientists?
- Try suggested sources for both panels
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
- Organic Consumers Association (includes today's stories and Review of Global Grassroots Resistance Against Genetically Engineered Foods & Crops in 2007
- Organic farming sites: California Certified Organic Farmers or Organic Farming Research Foundation
Physician, Johns Hopkins Medical Center
types of illnesses and disorders you have treated as a result of patients eating GMFs
health risks to people by GMF products
- Try suggested sources for both panels, especially Opposing Viewpoints, medical databases and science databases
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
Grocery Store Owner (The Green Grocer)
food industry has refused to label GMF products
concerns about safety of these foods and the opposition of the industry to labeling
- Try suggested sources for both panels, especially Science Reference Center
- Try sources listed above for the panel "in support of a moratorium"
- The Campaign: Grassroots Political Action (information about safety and labeling--strongly anti-GMF viewpoint)
- Greenpeace: Bans and Labeling
Need help with citing sources?
MLA Citation Style Guide
NoodleBib (citation management tool)