The purpose of the Group 4 project was to work with IB students in Spain in order to perform a small study in a topic related to Biology. My group chose to study Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) and the public's opinion regarding its use in our food supply in both countries. The results were similar for both countries. Overall, the project was interesting, but slightly difficult in terms of communicating with the Spain students.

After reviewing all of the information gathered about opinions of GMO's in Spain and the United States, it is equally believed amongst people that GMO's are either beneficial or harmful. I think that although GMO's may be harmful it is getting to the time where they may be a necessity for all humans in order to produce a sufficient amount of food for the population in the future.

Extension: Seville's Opinion

 People from Seville were also asked the following questions, results were recorded into the following charts: 

General Overview:

An overall relationship between age and opinion on GMOs  was  observed. On the one hand, people  over  50 were generally against food modification despite its benefits.

On the other  hand, it was seen  that younger people generally supported the idea of science modifying genes  in order to deal with big issues such as world hunger or scarcing of  resources.

All in all, interviewees were found to expose different mindsets; being age and culture the main factors that influenced their opinions. 

Overpopulation and other applications of GMOs, the opinion is the streets of Seville:

Overpopulation and other applications of GMOs, the opinion is the streets of Seville:

We went to the streets of the centre of Seville to ask the following questions to people passing by. Here are our results:

Do you think over population will be an issue in the near future?

Do you think GMOs can be a solution for food supplies in case of overpopulation?

What do you think of other applications of GMOs? Specifically talking about genetically modified trees that glow in the dark and can substitute some of the actual street lights.

Another answer to the survey.

 

Yes, I'm okay with eating GMO foods I grew up eating it and I'm perfectly fine so why stop now?

I have no problem with overpopulation the world is big enough.

Another set of answers is shown below regarding GMO's and Overpopulation.

 

1. Yes, genetically modified and engineered organisms

2. No, I would like all GMO foods labeled

3. No, I do not think over population will be an issue anytime soon.

4. I think GMOs have helped in the past when there were droughts, food shortages but with new technology and studies that show GMOs are bad for you; it should be used to try to "help".

5.I feel that nature should not be continuously tampered with. I think creating/planting genetically modified trees that glow could disrupt and have horrible effects on the ecosystem. 

(Haven't you seen The Lorax!? LOL)

Five different American perspectives on GMOs and overpopulation:

1. Do you know what GMOs are?
1. They sound familiar.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes, I do.
5. Yes.
2. Are you OK with eating your everyday foods knowing there are GMO's in them?
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. For the most part, yes.
5. Yes.
3. Do you think overpopulation will be an issue in the not so far future?
1. It is possible.
2. No, not anytime soon.
3. Yes.
4. Maybe.
5. Heck yes!
4. Do you think GMO’s will help to face this problem?
1. That would make sense.  
2. Yes, they could.
3. No, how does that even make sense?
4. Yeah, sure.
5. Easily.
5. What do you think about other applications of GMOs, like trees that glow instead of having streetlights?
1. I think that the applications are endless and that GMOs, and all science, should be used for good.
2. I think that would be pretty cool.
3. I think it’s trivial, but if it works, we could use that to save electricity.
4. That would be interesting. 
5. Yoooo, that’s awesome.

Generally, the Americans whom I asked, knew what GMOs are and did not have problems with eating them on a daily basis. They mostly believed that over population was a possible issue and that GMOs could help solve this problem. Most of the Americans that I asked were interested in experimenting with other applications of GMOs.

First survey Ms. Betsy Payne answered the questions with this response:

"Yes – I know what a GMO is (genetically modified organism).

Yes – I am ok with eating them.

I think overpopulation is an issue now.

GMO's have their place in helping feed the world.

If you have a glow in the dark tree – I want one! 

On the serious side though, I don’t think you should modify something just for fun but look at the real applications of it.  Hardier food in a hungry country makes sense, especially with climate issues we are experiencing.  Glow in the dark cats as an expensive accessory does not."

After reading her response I understand fully her perspective on the subject of GMO and overpopulation and believe she provides valid points.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are organisms such as plants and animals that undergo unnatural genetic changes in order to produce a man made result.

Many sources, such as an analysis of 24 different studies on the effects that GMOs have on animals, carried out by Snell et al, give evidence that GMOs are not harmful. However, many researchers are not convinced of this. Much of this controversy stems from the fact that no epidemiological studies have been carried out on humans to test the effects of GMOs.

Overpopulation is the function of numbers compared to the amount of resources available. It can occur due to an increase of birth rates, a decrease in mortality rates, or a decease in resources.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sonimacom/gmos_b_7880026.html

The purpose of this blog is to understand and compare public knowledge and opinion in the United States and Spain regarding science and its use of GMO's to solve the problem of lack of resources due to overpopulation. This study is being done by International Baccalaureate students in the United States and Spain. The questions that will be asked of people will be the following: 

1. Do you know what GMOs are?
2. Are you OK with eating your everyday knowing there are GMO's in them?
3. Do you think overpopulation will be an issue in the not so far future?
4. Do you think GMO’s will help to face this problem?
5. What do you think about other applications of GMOs, like planting genetically modified trees that glow instead of street-lights?