Background

For background on the genetically modified organisms debate, please visit the following Web sites:

The Scientific American feature article
"The Risks on the Table"
http://www.sciam.com/2001/0401issue/0401hopkin.html

Be sure to click on the YES and NO links on the left of the page to get to pro and con articles on the topic. These can also be accessed directly at:
YES article- http://www.sciam.com/2001/0401issue/0401hopkinbox1.html
NO article- http://www.sciam.com/2001/0401issue/0401hopkinbox2.html

Please also visit the

Public Broadcasting NOVA Frontline special report Web site: "Harvest of Fear: Exploring the Growing Fight Over Genetically Modified Foods"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/

In the section "Should We Grow GM Crops?",

"...you will be asked the same question seven times: "Based on what you now know [the material presented to that point], do you think we should raise genetically modified (GM) crops?" Each time, you must answer Yes or No to that question, and each time, depending on how you responded, you will be presented with a new counterargument meant to challenge your stance. Thus, this feature presents six arguments for growing GM crops and six against, but whenever you answer yes or no, you will only see one side of the argument-the one meant to challenge your position. However, before answering the question for the seventh and final time, you will be shown all 12 arguments for and against. At that point, you may choose Yes, No, or Undecided and then see where your vote stands vis-à-vis those of others."

The site also allows you to understand the engineering of GM crops and provides a look at what foods are currently being developed for U.S. grocery products in the future.