What You Need to Know.....
SC.912.L.16.10 Evaluate the impact of biotechnology on the individual, society, and the environment, including medical and ethical issues.
Items may assess current issues but will not require knowledge of specific biotechnologies or specific medical issues.
Items assessing the possible impacts of biotechnology will not assess monetary impacts.
Example Questions
While genetic engineering has positive benefits, there are also concerns associated with widespread use of genetic engineering in agriculture. If many farmers begin to plant more genetically modified crops that have an increased tolerance to insects, which of the following may result?
A. an increase in the use of pesticides
B. a decrease in genetic diversity of the crops
C. an increase in the contamination of the water supply
D. a decrease in crop productivity on these treated fields
2. Stem cell research has been a controversial subject in past years. What is the reason for this?
A. Cells for study are often taken from human embryos.
B. Stem cell techniques will not accomplish the intended purpose.
C. The cells cannot be isolated.
D. Replacement tissue will never be grown from a person's own stem cells.
3. What kind of genetically modified crops would be most successful in wet-tropical countries that are overcrowded?
A. crops that are drought- and pest-resistant
B. high-yield crops that do not need a lot of sunshine
C. high-yield crops that are pest-resistant
D. crops that are drought-resistant and need a lot of sunshine
4. Which technology below would probably be the most important to a person who had diabetes and had to take insulin every day?
A. testing parents for genetic disorders before they have children
B. engineering fruits and vegetables that resist insects and other pests
C. developing ways to identify criminals through DNA fingerprinting
D. using recombinant DNA to produce human hormones from bacteria
Answer Key:
1. B. a decrease in genetic diversity of the crops Genetic modifications of organisms does not allow for random mutation in the genetic code. This random mutation is responsible for the genetic diversity seen in populations of organisms.
2. A. Cells for study are often taken from human embryos. Embryos contain cells that are non-differentiated and can turn into any type of cell in the body. These cells could be used to create new tissues for people with diseases or malformations.
3. C. high-yield crops that are pest-resistant If space is limited, high-yield crops would be best. Wet-tropical climates are often plagued by pests so crops that are pest-resistant would do well in those climates.
4. D. using recombinant DNA to produce human hormones from bacteria Insulin is a hormone used to regulate blood sugar levels. It is essential to the correct functioning of the body. If bacteria can create insulin, this hormone will be easier for diabetics to get.