In this decision case, a congressional staffer must weigh a number of competing concerns and issues, including popular reactions to genetically modified organisms, in deciding how to present information to her boss, an influential congressman drafting legislation to support agricultural research. The case explores the social and biological issues surrounding micronutrient malnutrition, including deficiencies of several vitamins and essential minerals, especially iron, iodine, and vitamin A, which affect at least one-third of the world's population, primarily in developing nations. Developed for a graduate-level seminar on "Genomics, Agriculture, Food Systems and Development," the case teaches about the issues surrounding genomic applications in agriculture and their implications to health, environmental stewardship, economic sustainability, and national development.

This case focuses on the banana, the most popular fruit in the world. In the first part of the case, students are introduced to the history of "Banana Republics" and the biological constraints to banana production, including the devastating fungal pathogens that cause black Sigatoka and Panama disease. In the second part, they learn about ethical consumerism, organic and conventional agriculture, and Fair Trade products. The case was developed for an interdisciplinary capstone course, "Global Issues in the Sciences." It could also be used in courses in environmental studies, general biology, agriculture, and plant pathology.

In this dilemma case study, the executives of a popular restaurant chain must decide whether to use irradiated meat, in this case, beef, to protect its customers from the bacteria, E. coli. Students learn about food irradiation and discuss issues related to food safety and the public's acceptance of new food technologies. As developed, the case could be used in a variety of introductory science courses in chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, and agricultural science.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has claimed approximately one-third of the commercial honeybee population in recent years. A number of causes have been suggested for this phenomenon, including the consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by the bees. This directed case investigates the issues and chemistry that might be involved in CCD related to HFCS. The case was developed for use in an undergraduate organic chemistry or food chemistry course.

In this case study, students are introduced to concepts and techniques in modern biotechnology, as well as the possible implications of this emerging science, by considering the possibility of in vitro cultured meat. Intended for use in a college-level meat science, food science, or human nutrition course, the case could also be used in courses in environmental science, agribusiness, agriculture law and policy, animal philosophy/well-being, and high school AP food science.

This case study was developed to engage students by making connections between core concepts in organic chemistry and the health-promoting chemical, curcumin, found in turmeric. The case is in the form of a dialogue between a couple about the surprising color change observed in their turmeric-containing soup when baking soda is added. Concepts taught by the case include keto-enol tautomerization, resonance theory, chelation, and pH dependant hydrolysis and ionization. Developed for a first-semester organic chemistry course, the case could be adapted for use in undergraduate biochemistry and food science courses.

The Clarksons are making dinner for friends and decide to try out their new pressure cooker. As students read the dialogue that ensues, they learn about how the boiling point of water is directly related to external pressure, apply the ideal gas law, and relate chemical reaction rates with temperatures in addition to learning about the conservation of energy. Designed for a non-majors' general chemistry course, the case could be extended to other disciplines, including physics, nutrition, and microbiology.

Starting from a fictional "news" report about an apparent allergic reaction to a taco tainted by genetically modified corn, students consider some of the techniques and procedures used in modern molecular genetics and microbiology as well as some of the issues associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Originally designed for role-play and PowerPoint assignments, suggestions for a shortened version are also provided. Suitable for a general microbiology course, the case could also be used in an introductory molecular biology course with appropriate modifications. Various levels of coverage of the topic of recombinant DNA are possible.

This clicker case introduces students to the biochemistry of lipids through the story of Pete, a college student who begins to consider his nutritional fat intake after watching a commercial for the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin. In this case, students learn to differentiate the chemical composition of steroids, phospholipids, and fats as well as how lipids affect our health, both in positive and negative ways. Additionally, students learn how trans fats are manufactured and why they can have negative health side-effects. The case is designed for use in an introductory biology course either for science majors or non-majors. It could potentially be further modified for use in an upper-level biochemistry or cell biology class. The case is called a clicker case because it combines the use of PowerPoint slides (~3.74MB) and student response systems ("clickers") with a case storyline and questions. The case could be modifed however for use without these technologies.

It's Mother's Day and Dolly, a high school senior, is making a Mediterranean salad for her mom, who is a college chemistry major and who likes to take every opportunity to teach Dolly what she has learned in school. Today is no exception, as she guides Dolly through a chemistry lesson in the kitchen. The case compares and contrasts the structures of various fatty acids, saturated with unsaturated, monounsaturated with polyunsaturated, and cis-conformation with trans-conformation. The melting point differences of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids also are explained as are the structures and functions of triacylglycerol, phospholipid, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and omega-3 fatty acids. The case could be used in courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, biology, and food science.

This discussion case, in which a university research laboratory is vandalized by environmental activists opposed to genetic engineering, focuses on the science and ethics of genetically modified crops. Students consider both the risks and benefits of biotechnology and explore the positions of various stakeholders, including environmentalists, conservationists, agricultural businesses, research scientists, and farmers. Originally written for a vegetable crops course, the case would be appropriate for a wide variety of courses in which biotechnology is discussed.

In this intimate debate case, students consider whether to support the development and use of Golden Rice as a means to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in the developing world. Since many of the arguments typically raised against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) do not apply to this particular GM crop, students are forced to analyze the facts rather than rely on what they have heard in the media. Developed for an introductory molecular biology undergraduate course, the case could also be used at more senior levels.

"Leo Altamari," CEO of Kutztown Meat Packing Corporation, has just come back from his Monday morning staff meeting, where the major agenda item was a discussion about the irradiation of meat products. Leo must decide whether his company should pursue meat irradiation, weighing the expense of the technology and the wariness of many consumers, even though research has shown it to be an effective means of eliminating E. coli contamination in meat products. Developed for an introductory food science course, the case introduces students to consumer perceptions and beliefs about food irradiation and teaches them how the food industry evaluates new processing technologies from a business perspective.

Late on a Saturday night, a fire in the kitchen of a popular restaurant results in almost a million dollars in damages. Fortunately, there is no loss of life or serious injury. Fire department officials think that a grease fire was most likely the cause of the blaze, but the investigation is ongoing. Students assume the role of the fire chief leading the investigation as they gather facts for the insurance report they must write about the fire. The case was developed for a course in food chemistry taken primarily by food science and dietetics students. It could also be used in a hotel and restaurant management program.

A possible act of industrial espionage is the backdrop for this case study, which introduces students to analytical techniques routinely used in most areas of biotechnology, including forensic science and paternity suits. In this fictional case, "Roger Wezel," formerly employed at ExOil developing soybean seeds high in oleic acid, now works at a competing company, SeedGene Inc., after befing fired by ExOil over a dispute with his boss. ExOil has just discovered that Roger is at SeedGene, and also that SeedGene is now advertising high-oil soybean seeds. ExOil suspects that Roger stole their seeds and gave them to SeedGene to produce their own high oleic acid variety. ExOil wants to test some of the seeds from their competitor to see if they are the same strain in order to support their accusation that SeedGene is violating their patent. The case is designed for use with advanced biology students or introductory genetics students.

This case reviews concepts of monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide and contrasts the structures of different pairs of carbohydrates as well as the structure of sorbitol, a sugar substitute. It also depicts stereo chemistry concepts such as chiral carbon, enantiomer, anomer, Fisher projection, Haworth structure, and glycosidic bonds. In addition, the story associates the similar symptoms related to the gastrointestinal bacteria fermentation of lactose and soluble fibers and compares the enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of lactose, amylose and cellulose. Furthermore, the case explains the health benefits of consuming insoluble fibers to prevent situations like constipation, diverticulosis, and colon cancer. Finally, the case study highlights the pros (for example, lowering absorptions of fats and glucose to prevent heart disease and the spike of the blood sugar levels after meals) and the cons (such as causing bloating and flatulence) of soluble-fiber consumption.

In this case study, a scientist is contacted by a friend from a meat processing plant who is looking for a test to determine the sex of the animals that contributed to a particular batch of meat. He needs to know because meat from uncastrated males (boars) imparts an unpleasant odor (boar taint) to pork products, something he wants to avoid. Developed for use in an introductory biology class, the case introduces students to basic genetics concepts, DNA structure, the technique of PCR, genetic databases, and the use of positive and negative controls during scientific investigations. The case could also be used in high school classes, especially as a tool for learning about (or reviewing) the scientific process as it requires students to develop hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze and interpret data.