GMO in the Classroom
What High School Students Think About Genetic Engineering
Young Voices in the Bioethical Revolution
Genetically modified food, treating hereditary diseases through DNA editing, "designing" babies - what once sounded like science fiction is now reality thanks to tools like CRISPR-Cas9. But how does the younger generation, who will decide the future of these technologies, relate to their ethical challenges? A survey conducted among final-year high school students in Slavonski Brod reveals alarming gaps in education, widespread myths, and the urgent need for curriculum changes 3 6 .
Did You Know?
The first CRISPR therapy for sickle cell anemia (Casgevy) was approved in 2023 5 .
Key Concepts: Drawing the Line Between Progress and Ethics
Therapy vs. Enhancement
Therapeutic modification (e.g., correcting genes for sickle cell anemia) is generally considered ethically acceptable in the global scientific community, with strict safety measures 1 4 .
Human enhancement (e.g., increasing muscle mass or intelligence) raises concerns about creating a genetic elite and disrupting natural diversity 5 .
Somatic vs. Germline
Somatic cell modifications (affecting only the individual) have fewer ethical limitations. The first CRISPR therapy for sickle cell anemia (Casgevy) was approved in 2023 5 .
Embryo or germ cell modifications (passed to future generations) are banned in 40 countries due to unpredictable long-term effects 1 4 .
Survey Reveals Concerning Trends
Methodology
Questionnaire Preparation
15 questions about information sources, understanding of GMO technologies, and ethical attitudes 3 6 .
Population Sample
231 students (ages 16-19) from two high schools in Slavonski Brod, evenly distributed by gender 3 6 .
Data Analysis
Quantitative processing using SPSS software, focusing on response frequency and correlations between information sources and ethical attitudes 6 .
Key Findings
| Statement | Agree Percentage | Scientific Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| "GMO food causes cancer" | 41% | False |
| "GMO destroys fertility" | 33% | False |
| "GMO is a solution for world hunger" | 27% | Partially True |
| "All GMO products are clearly labeled" | 12% | False |
Main Information Sources About GMOs
Information Source Reliability
Why This Is an Alarm for the Education System
These data reveal critical vulnerability of young people to misinformation in an area that will shape the future of medicine, agriculture, and ecology. The lack of critical thinking is particularly concerning because:
Tools for Demystification
| Tool/Resource | Application | Ethical Aspect |
|---|---|---|
| CRISPR-Cas9 system | Precise cutting of DNA at targeted locations | Risk of off-target mutations; unclear long-term effects 4 |
| Germline (embryonic cells) | Permanent genetic changes passed to offspring | Impossibility of consent from future generations; eugenics danger 1 |
| Biosafety protocols | Preventing environmental contamination by GMOs | Responsibility toward ecosystems 5 |
| International guidelines (e.g., WHO) | Harmonizing regulations between countries | Question of global equality in access to therapies |
| Interactive educational simulators | Visualizing complex processes | Developing critical thinking in students 6 |
The Way Forward
The research from Slavonski Brod is not just criticism - it's a call to action for a thorough reform of STEM education:
Bioethics Integration
Instead of just listing facts, students should analyze case studies (e.g., the scandal with genetically modified twins in China 2018) 4 .
Scientific Collaboration
Visits to laboratories using CRISPR and conversations with researchers.
Digital Literacy
Skills for recognizing misinformation about GMOs on social media 3 .
Public Debate Participation
Organizing EU council simulations where students represent different regulatory positions.
"This research alarmingly showed that our youth - future voters and decision makers - are not armed with knowledge to face the ethical challenges of genetic engineering. Without urgent intervention, we will leave decisions that will shape the human species to others' interests and chance."
Final Thought
Genetic engineering is not just a question of science - it's a social contract about what we may and may not change in the very essence of life. As the survey among high school students shows, this contract will be sustainable only if we make young people critically thoughtful participants in writing its terms.
CRISPR technology in modern laboratory