The Science and Politics of the GMO (edX)

This course will introduce you to genetic engineering, explore the political debate around GMOs, and examine the arguments both for and against their use.

We will examine the politics surrounding GMOs and their impact on individuals and society as a whole; including problems, perceptions, benefits, and risks. In order to fully understand the complexities of this topic, we will not only explore how GMOs work, but also their limitations. The importance of information literacy as a tool for identifying and evaluating issues will also be discussed.

The goal of this MOOC is to improve people’s understanding of science, what it can and cannot do, and how information is transmitted. Rather than influencing how people feel about GMOs, the goal is to give them the scientific literacy and critical thinking skills necessary to make informed decisions.