In this activity, students will explore artificial selection, as well as learn how advances in science are allowing increasingly specific methods of genetic manipulation in organisms (genetic engineering). Students will explore the risks and benefits of genetic engineering and concerns that affect what we eat and wear.
This is one of 4 activities that can be found in PLT’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk Biotechnology Supplement. To get the activity, attend a training or purchase the supplement now from shop.plt.org. Below are some supporting resources for this activity.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 
The following tools and resources may be used to enhance the activity.
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BioInteractive’s Science Education Resources
At BioInteractive, you can find hundreds of free multimedia resources for science education targeted to a high school and undergraduate audience. Topics range from evolution to ecology, to diversity of organisms and earth and environment, to biotechnology and the scientific process. The resources include apps, animations, videos, interactive tutorials, and virtual labs to help engage students and explain difficult scientific concepts. Videos range from short clips to short films (15 to 30 minutes long) to full-length lectures on a specific topic given by top scientists working at the cutting edge of scientific research—all supplemented by teacher guides and classroom activities.
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Biotechnology and You
This Powerpoint was created for Activity 1: Biotechnology and You. You can use this resource as an introduction to the topic and terms relating to biotechnology.
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Greener Blue Jeans
Who doesn’t like blue jeans? The indigo dye that provides their distinctive color holds up to detergents, but ages into that soft, worn look. Indigo is one of the oldest dyes used for coloring textiles. For thousands of years it was extracted from tropical plants in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, with various unpleasant side effects. This Berkeley University of California article describes the research involved in finding a cleaner route to produce the iconic dye.
