Homework Should have already completed: Chapter 10 – Agriculture, Biotechnology and the Future of Food. Read pages 252 – 257 For next class, Read pages 257 (starting at Seed Banks to 261 stopping at Genetically Modified Food. Project due tomorrow, ideally in class but the latest is 5:00 EST

New material – Chapter 10 What happens when invasive species are introduced

New material – Chapter 10 What are genetically modified crops? Give an example and why are they feared?

What are Biofuels? Biofuels = are derived from organic materials – Replace petroleum in engines Ethanol = a biofuel derived from corn – 2007 subsidies doubled production Food prices increased – Farmers sold corn for ethanol, not food – Farmers planted biofuels, not food crops – Riots erupted in many nations

Preserving crop diversity Preserving native variants protects against crop failure Monocultures are vulnerable – Wild relatives contain genes that can provide resistance to disease and pests – But Mexico has lifted its ban on transgenic corn We have lost a great deal of genetic diversity in crops – U.S. crops have decreased 90% in diversity Market forces discourage diversity in food’s appearance – Food producers prefer uniform, standardized food

New material – Chapter 10 Explain the purpose of the “Doomsday Seed Vault?” Is it truly necessary? Explain

Seed banks are living museums Seed banks = institutions that preserve seed types as living museums of genetic diversity – Seeds are collected, stored, and periodically planted The “doomsday seed vault” in Norway stores millions of seeds from around the world

New material – Chapter 10 Pesticides versus Biocontrols Sea otters and their role Kudzu and Cane Toads IPM (integrated Pest Management)

Reminder of Tuesday Remember we are meeting in the computer lab on Friday to work our the research project