Solved by a verified expert:Hide Folder InformationFolderBiology and Technology in the Real WorldInstructionsWritten Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real WorldAddresses course outcomes 1-4:recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problemsmake observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanationsweigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientificmethoduse knowledge of biological principles, the scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevantquestions, develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and draw conclusions1. Select one of the topics listed below.2. Find at least two information sources related to the topic. You can find assistance with searching for articles at theathttp://libguides.umuc.edu/science.3. Write a 750-1500 word paper, excluding references and title page. You must read the information sources that youfind and summarize the information in your own words, addressing each of the questions and expectations for yourchosen topic. Extensive quotes from the article are discouraged. Use APA style for citing references,seehttp://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html.4. Post your assignment to your Assignments folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.Topics (select one)a) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What is the purpose genetic engineering of crop plants and domesticanimals? Briefly explain how GMOs are created. What foods in your supermarket contain GMOs? Are foods thatcontain GMOs safe for human consumption? What types of regulations exist for these foods? Clearly explain yourreasoning for each answer. The following website from FDA regarding GMO regulation may behelpful:http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352067.htmb) Stem cells. Your friend had a spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided that he is agood candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy. Your friend has not had a biology course since highschool, so you decide to write him a letter sharing your knowledge of stem cells. Include in your letter a description ofthe biology of stem cells and how these cells are unique from other cells. Contrast the different types of stem cells,including pros and cons of each.Explain how stems cells are can be used to treat diseases and injury, with special focus on spinal cord injuries.Conclude with your own opinion. The following website from NIH regarding stem cell research will be very helpful:http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp.c) Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and tar sands (oil sands). With society’s dependence on nonrenewable fossilfuels, the oil & gas industry is turning to the use of hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands to extract natural gas andoil respectively. A friend asks you "What’s all this controversy in the news about fracking and tar sands?" Brieflyexplain to your friend how hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands are used to obtain these fossil fuels. Then, in moredetail, describe the environmental problems that may result from these processes and why they are controversial.Issues that may be addressed involves, but are not limited to, water, air and soil pollution, effects on human health,effects on other species and natural ecosystems. Finally, give your opinions on possible solutions to theseenvironmental problems, with your reasoning backed by the references that you studied. The following websitesfrom EPA may be helpful: http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturingDue DateHide RubricsRubric Name: Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real WorldCriteriaExcellent (90 Good (75 – 89%)100%)89 points100 pointsTheinformationobtained from The informationa minimum of obtained from onlythreetwo informationinformationsources issources issummarized and/osummarized rsome minorclearly,issues with clarity,accurately and accuracy, andContent (40 well organized organization ofpoints)in your owninformation and/orwords. Allone informationinformationsource is notsources arecredible and/orcredible and relevant and/orrelevant to the re than a fewrequirement direct quotes.for the chosen 30-35 pointstopic.36-40 pointsContribution All questions One of the(40 points) andquestions orrequirements requirements forfor chosenchosen topic is nottopic areaddressed,and/oraddressed and minimalown ideas are description andexpressed,analysis of ownanalyzed anddefendedbased onknowledgelearned fromliteratureresearch.36-40 pointsideas, and/orminimal connectionbetween ownideas and what islearned fromliterature research.30-35 pointsLess than 34-7 minorGrammar/Sp minorspelling/grammaticspelling/gramelling (10al errorsmatical errorspoints)7-8 points9-10 pointsAll referenceslisted at theend, in-textreferences areReferences included, all(5 points)references incorrect APAformat.5 pointsLength ofPaper (5points)Paper isbetween 750and 1500words5 pointsOverallScoreLevel 491 or moreMissing onereference,and/orinor problems withAPAformat, and/ormissing in-textreferences.4 pointsPaper is between600-749 or 15011700 words4 pointsLevel 375 or more