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Interactive CD looks at genetic modification of canola
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
June 21, 2004

Today the University of Saskatchewan's Division of Media and Technology hosted the launch of an educational interactive CD-Rom entitled Canola Wars.

Developed by the University's College of Biotechnology, in conjunction with faculty across campus, the CD-Rom is interactive and uses text, graphics, animations, and video interviews with key players to examine a case study in gene patenting of an agricultural product.

Canola Wars features the events surrounding the case of Monsanto versus Percy Schmeiser, a Saskatchewan farmer, and his alleged use of glyphosate resistant canola. Recognizing that biotechnology has significant potential to contribute to the economic and social development of Saskatchewan, this first-of-a-kind interdisciplinary project examines the scientific, commercial, economic, legal and ethical issues of genetic modification of an agricultural product. It also raises the social implications of technological change. The CD-ROM is designed to be a non-biased learning tool that stimulates the viewer to navigate through the CD-ROM to gain insight into the case by exploring the evidence. In the final analysis, it is the viewer who decides the balance of justice.

Professor Peter Philips, Director of the College of Biotechnology was the lead academic on the project and faculty from several departments at the University of Saskatchewan were involved in developing the program including, Biology, Sociology, Marketing and Management, Agricultural Economics and Philosophy.

The CD-Rom was produced by the University's Division of Media and Technology. Financial support was provided by Saskatchewan Learning and is one of the outcomes of provincial funding for technology enhanced learning (TEL) in post-secondary education.

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