The genetically modified organisms issue and citizen science education: a study of natural sciences textbooks for 9th grade adopted in Portugal

Resumen

DOURADO, Luís  y  MATOS, Luís. The genetically modified organisms issue and citizen science education: a study of natural sciences textbooks for 9th grade adopted in Portugal. Ciência educ. [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.04, pp.833-852. ISSN 1516-7313.  https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-73132014000400005.

One of the applications of biotechnology is genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have an increasing use, with many advantages, but are also being referred to as potentially dangerous organisms. Regarding these facts, science textbooks devote some of their pages to biotechnology, GMOs being one of the aspects focused on. Thus, considering the importance of the textbook in science education, we carried out a study involving the analysis of Portuguese 9th grade science textbooks concerning GMOs. In this study it was found that the textbooks do not always have accurate and necessary information, and sometimes do not present it in an adequate way and don't give it proper importance. As our research reveals the existence of gaps in textbooks, our conclusions can help to improve them and, therefore, the quality of science education.

Palabras clave : Genetically Modified Organisms; GMO; Textbooks; Science Education.