Once you know DNA is a code, someone will want to edit it. Here's what happens when they do, and who gets to own what they make.
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Students will explain what a transgenic organism is, give the book's examples of why scientists make them, lay out the worries about making and patenting them, and write a reasoned answer to the You Decide question.
A transgenic organism carries a gene from another species. The book's examples are a mouse given a human gene for cancer research, and crops given a bacteria gene so insects won't eat them.
A patent gives its owner the legal right to control making and selling an invention. The first patent on a transgenic organism went to Harvard in 1988.
Let the student argue both sides out loud before writing. The written answer is marked on whether it takes a clear position and supports it, not on which position it takes.
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Before You Start
The words this lesson uses. Tap a card to see what it means, then come back to them whenever a question uses one.
Part One
Questions about the story you just read. Pick your answer straight off, or press Find it in the story if you would rather hunt for the sentence first.
Part Two
The word cards are at the top of this page. Look back at them as often as you need, then answer.