Student Experiments in Molecular Biology Using Genome-Edited Tomatoes in High School Biology Class

Abstract

Previously, we reported on the development of teaching materials using genome-edited tomatoes and the procedures for experiments using these materials, with the aim of acquiring knowledge about genes and basic skills for experiments dealing with genes, as well as to increase interest in genome editing technology. In 2022, a student experiment was conducted in a biology class to distinguish between genome-edited tomatoes and original tomatoes by a PCR-based method. However, there were many problems with the student experiment and the desired results were not obtained. To solve these problems, the details of the experimental process were adjusted and the educational process in the biotechnology class was revised from several perspectives. In the 2023 class practice, students were organized into 11 groups, of which about half of the groups were able to obtain the expected experimental results. Pre- and post-questionnaires of classes using genome-edited tomatoes revealed that students’ understanding of genome-editing technology deepened and that they came to prefer genome-edited crops over genetically modified crops (GMC).