Dilemma Questions for West Camp

1. Three months ago, your mom lost her beloved dog for 15 years. She is still mourning over her loss. Just recently, you have learned that her dog could be cloned. Your mom could have her beloved dog back. What do you think? Would you suggest that your mom’s dog be cloned? How much should your family be willing to pay?

2. Three years ago, your father’s farm was contaminated by a massive spill of toxic chemicals from a factory in your town. Your father has not been able to farm at all. Last night, a group of scientists visited your father to request if they could use his farm to experiment a new method of treating contaminated soil that involves the use of genetically-engineered microorganisms to “eat” toxic chemicals in soil. Although this method may restore your father’s farm, it may negatively affect wild animals and plants in the area. What would you suggest your father to do?

3. You have just successfully developed a tomato plant through genetic engineering which deters tomato caterpillars. This plant would likely help farmers reduce crop loss from caterpillar damages, and therefore increase their tomato production. Many companies are interested in your newly-developed tomato plant; you could make a fortune if you sell the right to produce it. However, there are a few studies by scientists suggesting that this plant may make this particular caterpillar species extinct. What would you do? Would you market the plant? How would this compare to a situation wherein a similarly caterpillar resistant tomato variety is developed by conventional breeding techniques?