Genetically Modified Food (GMO's): What Do You Think?

Sometimes we think genetically modified food is stuff from science fiction films.  However, my students were able to see some real life applications of GMO's, and this helped us have a discussion on whether it's OK to genetically modify cows using human DNA.  Here are some pictures of the genetically modified soybeans the students and I tasted.  Just so you know, I never would eat soy products if it wasn't for the great invention of recombinant DNA techonology.

Modeling Mitosis While We Learn About Cancer

Students learned all about how mutations in your DNA can ulitmatly lead to tumors (both benign and malignant: cancerous). As we went through a case study to learn about a girl who was infected with ovarian cancer we reviewed the process of mitosis. We learned that changes in the cell cycle can cause uncontrolled growth, and if left unchecked can result in death of the patient. Here are some pictures as we reviewed the cell cycle.

Students were lucky to hear a presentation from Mr. Ray about his survival of cancer.  Now students have a basic understanding of what cancer is, and things they can do to reduce their risk of getting it.