In this project our driving question is how can we use biotechnology to solve a current issue in the world? We had to work together in groups to brainstorm an idea that solves a world problem that includes biotechnology in it. We had to email mentors and ask for advice on the topic and then presented our idea to a group of individuals in biotechnology fields.
Our Project
The problems we decided to solve with biotechnology was drought an malnourishment in developing countries. This problem is causing entire continents to suffer because thy can't afford enough food due to their lack of funds in the country. Our solution for this problem is to genetically modify crickets that will provide the same nutritional benefits as a cow, but only need to take only 1.5 teaspoons of water to survive and reproduce. This will lower the amount of hunger in the world because there is now a constant supply of food to these developing countries. The bugs don’t need much water to survive, which means that third world countries can use the limited clean water they have for themselves and not have to put it towards agriculture.
Drought: a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this Hunger: a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat GMO: an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there Cricket: an insect related to the grasshoppers. The male produces a characteristic rhythmical chirping sound Developing country: a poor agricultural country that is seeking to become more advanced economically and socially WETA: a large brown wingless insect related to the grasshoppers, with long spiny legs and wood-boring larvae, found only in New Zealand Substitution: the action of replacing someone or something with another person or thing
Reflection
For our last project of the year I wanted to make this one count. I did my very best to stay on task at all times and felt that the quality of the work my group ended up producing and presenting really showed the work ethic I sustained during the entire project. Two things did well was firstly my communication in my group. All my ideas and thoughts on the project were understood and properly comprehended by my two other group mates. This lead to a extremely good outcome to the project. Another thing was my work ethic during the project. For most of the project my group was absent so a lot was put on me to finish up all the work and make it a great presentation. In the end it ended up working out for my group but this was at a cost. Due to y group being absent I was constantly stressing during the class period due to the fact that I needed to get the work done. That was the only downside to the project and can easily be corrected in future projects. Overall this project really showed me that by working hard and efficently it always will pay off in the end.