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This page summarizes the content in the Student Home section.
The material in the Student Home web pages is also available for downloading. To access the files click on the Printable Chapters menu item.
Unit 1 consists of Chapters 1-4. This unit gives the most basic and comprehensive coverage of agricultural biotechnology. Chapter One defines agricultural biotechnology, describes the most wide-spread uses of this technology, and examines an important product of crop biotechnology: GM foods. Chapter Two reviews some of the benefits that GM crops offer; while Chapter Three considers potential threats to human health, to the environment, and to social norms and cultural values. Chapter Four reviews attitudes toward agricultural biotechnology at both the national policy and consumer levels.
Unit 2 contains Chapters 5 and 6.
It explores using transgenic crops to produce medicines. Chapter Five introduces protein-based medicines, looks at current systems for producing them, and considers future production systems based on transgenic plants. Chapter Six focuses on public safety issues associated with plant bio-pharming, and regulatory responses to such concerns.
Unit 3 continues with Chapters 7 and 8. This unit examines agricultural biotechnologies that have been (or are being) developed to improve rice farming and enhance the nutritional properties of this globally important grain. Chapter Seven considers the role rice plays in feeding people around the world, and discusses social and cultural contributions rice makes to various societies. Chapter Eight focuses on technologies that have been developed to boost rice production - technologies developed during the Green Revolution, and future GM rice based on recombinant DNA methods.
Unit 4 concludes with Chapter 9 and 10.
This unit explores the implications of agricultural biotechnology for developing nations. Chapter Nine examines the international prevalence of transgenic crop technologies and capacity building, as well as how nations that adopt GM crops and invest in agricultural biotechnology research serve as role models for neighboring countries. Chapter Ten focuses on the impacts of transgenic technologies in developing nations in terms of raising food supplies, curbing malnutrition, and alleviating poverty.
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