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- Social issues and GM crops
Social issues and GM crops

The genetic manipulation of plants and animals and their use in agriculture is one of the most controversial scientific developments of recent times. This free course, Social issues and GM crops, takes a look at the science behind the headlines and the complex interactions between scientific and social factors. By the end of the course it's hoped that you will have a clearer idea not only of what is possible with GM but what may be considered desirable.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
- understand some of the social issues surrounding the development of GM crops
- better understand some of the social issues surrounding the development of GM crops, especially those that are ethical in nature
- better appreciate the disputed nature of the science that underpins GM crop development and how these relate to modern methods of assessing the safety of GM foods
- explain how the public consultation exercise relating to the possible commercialisation of GM crops was conducted in the UK and the merits and drawbacks of that approach.
First Published: 09/08/2012
Updated: 16/03/2016
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If you want to be able to track your progress, earn a free Statement of Participation, and access all course quizzes and activities, sign-up.
Course content
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Preamble
- 2 Concerns about GM crops
- 3 A key point in the controversy over GM crops: the Pusztai affair
- 4 Assessing the safety of GM food
- 4 Assessing the safety of GM food
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Scientific risk analysis
- 4.3 Assessing GM foods: substantial equivalence is introduced
- 4.4 Incorporating substantial equivalence into national and international law
- 4.5 A critique of substantial equivalence
- 4.6 Responses to the critique
- 4.7 Safety assessment today
- 5 Public views and the GM Nation? debate
- 6 Summary
- Conclusion
- Keep on learning
- References
- Acknowledgements
Your course resources
As you work through this course you will need various resources to help you complete some of the activities.
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About this free course
10 hours study
Level 2: Intermediate
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