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Hamburg youths discuss green genetic engineering -
TuTech started new innovative online discourse including a role game and a contest
Since Tuesday, 24 January 2006, pupils at Hamburg schools will have a 3-week opportunity to discuss "green genetic engineering" on the internet from the viewpoints of the various players involved.
At http://www.biotalk.de, the platform for the discussion, youths can obtain information about the topic and weigh the advantages and disadvantages, risks and chances posed by green genetic engineering.
The online discussion shall be conducted as a role game and contest - attractive prizes are going to be raffled off among the winners, including 3 iPod MP3 players.
The subject of "green genetic engineering" has again become the focus of heated discussion: Whereas the majority of consumers in Germany is against the processing of genetically modified plants in the manufacturing of foodstuffs, others hope that such processing results in the production of foods that, for example, trigger fewer allergic reactions. The borderline between proponents and opponents of this technologie runs straight across all occupational groups such as scientists, politicians and farmers.
The online discourse is taking place within the framework of BioTalk, a project which is being promoted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in this case under the auspices of Ms. Alexandra Dinges-Dierig, Hamburg's senator for education. The project's objectives are to promote the capability for argumentation on the part of youths and to make the fantasies and everyday ideas associated with genetic engineering a topic of discussion.
The project is being implemented by TuTech Innovation GmbH in co-operation with the University of Hamburg and the Fraunhofer Society.
http://www.biotalk.de
FOR MORE INFORMATION
TuTech Innovation GmbH
Birgit Hohberg
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