This learning video introduces high school students to a topic they would not ordinarily study in school, biotechnology, and to different applications of biotechnology that relate to the main theme of the module - making the desert greener. After reviewing traditional methods used for manipulating plants to produce desired traits, students will learn about the methods of making transgenic plants. Dr. Ziad discusses a real world problem that is critical in his country, Jordan, where much of the land is desert. A prerequisite to this video lesson is some background in biology.

Students read about and explain the process of transgenic manipulation to produce crops resistant to herbicides and pests. Afterwards students evaluate the pros and cons. Next, students read various pro/neutral/con articles about genetically modified foods and evaluate the perspective of the author. Finally, students use evidence from the reading to write a CER stating their opinion on GMOs.