Directions: For this assignment you will be working with a team of four other students debating issues surrounding genetically modified organisms.  One group will be pro-GMO, the other will be anti-GMO.  The debate will have the following structure:

1. Opening statement: Explain your position for or against GMO crops and a brief statement of why you support this position (2 min)
2. Evidence: At least five pieces of evidence supporting your position with supporting data (6 min)
3. Counterargument: Questions that you are ready to pose to the other groups regarding their positions (?)
4. Rebuttal: Responses to other groups’ questions (4 min)
5. Closing statement: Final restatement of your position (2 min)

For this assignment you will need to include the following content:

1. A brief overview of what GMOs are, including their uses.
2. A description of the controversy.
3. A explanation of why your group is for or against GMOs, including data.  This should include the uses and/or harmful effects of GMOs.  Make sure that you include numbers and statistics!
4. Specific arguments for or against GMOs.
5. Example GMOs.

For the debate you will need to turn in a “Works Cited” page (in MLA format), as well as your notes as part of a shared Google Doc.

GMO Debate Rubric: Knowledge and Understanding & Communication