PLBR 4826 - Genetically Engineered Crops: Products, Policies, and People

(crosslisted)
(also BIOPL 4826)

Spring. 1 credit.

Prerequisite: BIOPL 4831 or PLBR 4831 (for Plant Molecular Biology majors); or permission of instructors for others. Offered alternate odd years.

S. Evanega, M. Hanson.

Current and proposed use of transgenic plants for agricultural and industrial purposes. Topics include procedures for gene introduction and control of gene expression, as well as strategies for obtaining transgenic plants that are resistant to insects, diseases, and herbicides, or have improved nutritional or processing characteristics. Other topics are use of transgenic plants for production of valuable products and for environmental remediation. Biosafety, social, legal, and international issues relating to plant biotechnology are discussed.

Outcome 1: Critically evaluate different sides of the debate around genetic engineering.

Outcome 2: Convey to professional and lay audiences, orally and in writing, information about issues around plant genetic engineering.

Outcome 3: Practice the revision process while writing about genetic engineering.

Outcome 4: Debate the biological and ethical consequences of genetic engineering.

Outcome 5: Describe the impact that genetic engineering has on self, community, and global health and well-being.