Problem
Imagine you are a USDA (US Department of Agriculture) official and must decide whether to allow the planting of a new genetically modified strain of cabbage. The cabbage is tolerant to a best-selling herbicide, has BT in it and is thus naturally pest resistant, and has twice the vitamin content of regular cabbage.
Things to consider in your answer:
a) What questions would you ask of scientists before deciding whether to approve the new crop?
b) What scientific data would you want to see?
c) Would you consult non-scientists or consider ethical, economic, and/or social factors?