The class will be divided up into groups and each group given copies of one or two of the news articles listed in Part I (see Resources below). When everyone in the group has read an article, please work as a team to answer the following questions.
Questions
- Look at the article carefully and state what it says about:
- Why acrylamide is harmful.
- What individuals need to do about their intake of acrylamide.
- How acrylamide is formed.
- What experiment(s) did the source use to determine the effects of acrylamide.
- What group, organization, or people wrote the article.
- List the main conclusion(s) of the article.
- Is the article from a credible source? Explain your answer.
- Explain how you would have performed this experiment differently. If you would have tested acrylamide in the same way, please explain why.
- To do an accurate risk assessment, one would need to know the toxicity of acrylamide and the amount of acrylamide an individual is exposed to. Does the article discuss these terms or make reference to toxicity and/or exposure?
- After reading the actual news articles, would you reduce your intake of French fries? Yes? No? Maybe? Explain your answer.
Writing Assignment
Write a one-paragraph (or less) answer to the following question. Your response is due by the start of the next class period:
Create a headline that best sums up the research for acrylamide based on your readings from the articles and the class discussion.
Resources
- Headline #1—Serving up Cancer. ABC News Online, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/acrylamide.htm
- Headline #2—California Wants to Serve a Warning with Fries. The New York Times.
- http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/business/21chips.html?ex=1284955200&en=c13bc075dcd88fae&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
- Headline #3—Acrylamide: Snack Food Cancer Risk or Not? Swedish Medical Center.
- http://www.swedish.org/16408.cfm
- Headline #4—Cancer Chemical Link to Crisps Discovered. BBC News World Edition.
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2288975.stm
- Headline #5—Acrylamide in Foods: Fact Sheet. U.S. National Institutes of Health.
- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/acrylamideinfoods
- Headline #6—Fried Food Chemical Is Not Cancer Risk. BUPA Co, UK.
- http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/230305acrylamide.html
Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/acrylamide/acrylamide2.asp
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