Search

Costa Rica has rich ecological resources and has been a steady political force in turbulent Central America. Most recently, it has become a battleground between pro- and anti-genetically modified organism (GMO) political forces. This case study examines the roles of U.S.-based cotton ("Gossypium hirsutum" L.) seed companies, anti-GMO activists, and the Costa Rican government officials in this debate. Cotton seed companies in the United States use Costa Rica as an important counter-season seed production location. Most of the seed increases and breeding generations grown in Costa Rica contain transgenic traits. By allowing the use of these traits, Costa Rican exports to food markets in North America and Europe have been threatened and enrage those most passionate against globalization and GMOs. On the other hand, banning GMOs would end the counter-season cotton ("Gossypium hirsutum" L. and "G. barbadense" L.) seed industry in Costa Rica, but more importantly reduce the likelihood that crops such as rice ("Oryza sativa" L.), sugarcane ("Saccharum" spp), and floriculture in Costa Rica would ever contain valuable transgenic traits. The public debate, which has been ongoing for several years, has left most Costa Ricans more confused than ever with no definitive resolution in sight. Students are encouraged to form possible resolutions to the conflict and weigh the arguments and counter-arguments for transgenic plants.

Understanding plant breeding as well as procedures and issues of seed companies are skills students studying agronomy need to acquire. Simulation games can be effective teaching tools in developing higher-order thinking skills of students. The "Fantasy Seed Company" game was developed to create motivated learners by allowing students to run a mock seed company. Students are confronted with a series of questions and scenarios that will determine their personal success and the success of the company. The format of Fantasy Seed Company is flexible enough to allow instructors to address a wide range of topics. Students can learn teamwork, the value of science to businesses, and long-term implications of decisions. Use of Fantasy Seed Company in the classroom potentially provides three cognitive learning outcomes: (1) declarative knowledge, (2) procedural knowledge, and (3) strategic knowledge. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)