- Description
- Students present the results of research on applications of biotechnology in agriculture and food production.
- Prerequisite
- None
- Parameters
- Access to resources on current applications of biotechnology in agriculture and food production.
Outcomes The student will:
1 describe the history and development of biotechnology
1.1 explain how biotechnology involves the altering of cells and organisms to produce goods and services
1.2 provide a historical perspective on methods by which the characteristics of plants and animals have been altered, including:
1.2.1 natural selection
1.2.2 selective breeding
1.2.3 genetic engineering
1.3 describe basic vocabulary and techniques used in genetic engineering, including:
1.3.1 chromosome
1.3.2 gene
1.3.3 gene mapping
1.3.4 gene splicing
1.3.5 cloning
1.4 outline emerging applications of biotechnology
2 identify the benefits and costs associated with applications of biotechnology in agriculture and food production
2.1 describe specific applications of biotechnology in agriculture and food production; e.g., product and market development, industry diversification, production efficiency, disease and pest control
2.2 describe environmental, economic and ethical issues related to developments in biotechnology; e.g., use of natural resources, control and patenting of life forms, impact of genetically altered organisms, food quality and safety, world food supply
2.3 predict possible effects of new biotechnologies on producers, processors, consumers and governments
2.4 explain the role of legislation in regulating developments in biotechnology
2.5 identify a specific problem in agriculture and food production recently addressed through biotechnology (e.g., production costs, product quality, market supply, environmental impact) and:
2.5.1 identify key stakeholder groups affected by the problem
2.5.2 describe funding and partnerships that were established to address the problem
2.5.3 explain applications of biotechnology in dealing with the problem; e.g., principles of genetic engineering, scientific design, experimental outcomes
2.5.4 describe the social, economic and environmental consequences of experimental outcomes
2.5.5 make recommendations regarding the use of biotechnology and practical solutions to the problem; e.g., management actions, further research
3 explain the process used to develop a recent biotechnology within Alberta’s agriculture industry
4 demonstrate basic competencies
4.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
4.1.1 communicate
4.1.2 manage information
4.1.3 use numbers
4.1.4 think and solve problems
4.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
4.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
4.2.2 be responsible
4.2.3 be adaptable
4.2.4 learn continuously
4.2.5 work safely
4.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
4.3.1 work with others
4.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
5 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
5.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
5.2 identify steps to achieve goals
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.