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Mosquitoes vs malaria

  • GCSE
  • Popular Activity
  • Topical

Type: Activity
Learning Strategy: Role play
Topic: Genetic engineering

Once you've got malaria, it's difficult to get rid of - so scientists are trying to keep the disease at bay. But malaria is making a come-back. Mosquitoes spread the parasite responsible and global warming is increasing their range. So effort is being focussed on reducing their numbers. In this role-play activity, students consider the benefits and uncertainties of using GM mosquitoes to cut their natural populations.

14-16 How Science Works:
Applications and implications of science
4a. about the use of contemporary scientific and technological developments and their benefits, drawbacks and risks
4b. to consider how and why decisions about science and technology are made, including those that raise ethical issues, and about the social, economic and environmental effects of such decisions

Published: 14th June 2007
Reviews & Comments: 5

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Learning objectives

Students will consider the benefits, drawbacks and risks of using GM mosquitoes and social, economic and environmental issues associated with this new technological development.

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Organisms and health
c the ways in which organisms function are related to the genes in their cells

GCSE specifications
AQA Biology 1b: Evolution and Environment
Make informed judgments about the economic, social and ethical issues concerning cloning and genetic engineering, including GM crops.
Gateway MODULE B3: LIVING AND GROWING
Explain some potential advantages and risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding.
21st Century Science MODULE B7: FURTHER BIOLOGY
Understand that there are economic, social and ethical implications for the release of genetically modified organisms

Running the activity

Display page 1, to introduce the topic. Page 2, is a simple description of the mosquito's life-cycle and prompts students to consider how the cycle could be broken. Page 3 summarises possible ways of reducing mosquito numbers and asks what they have in common. The obvious answer is that they all involve genetic engineering. But students could also point out that none have been tested outside the lab. Page 4 presents some potential benefits and uncertainties associated with the technology and prompts students to prepare their role plays.

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