It doesn't take a Mulder or Scully to alert us to the dramatic changes in science these days. Dolly the cloned sheep, so-called "Frankenstein Foods" or genetically modified crops - and now bio-patents - are generating a lot of debate as to where such technologies are taking us.

Those in the "yes" camp are quick to cite the benefits to the consumer, producer and environment, claiming that developments such as genetically modified crops will play a key role in preventing starvation in a burgeoning developing world population.

Countering this, opponents claim that profit, not goodwill, is what motivates multinational corporations and supra-national bodies like the World Trade Organisation, which is seen as favouring the rights of giant corporations over the rights of consumers and national governments.

The more militant extremists are given to destroying experimental GM crops, claiming that biotechnology companies are not capable of independent research, given their vested interests, and that there are dangers of cross-pollination of GM crops with non-GM crops.

The David and Goliath style conflict between activist and multinational companies is a neat narrative for the television pictures on the news, but the truth, scientific or otherwise, is rarely as cut and dried.

Steering a course in between the extremes of this debate is no easy thing, but this is exactly the task being put to Transition Year students in the Agri Aware Student Challenge 2000, Biotechnology in Farming and Food.

The project seeks to involve students actively in this current debate, which is of immediate concern to the public given the controversy over Monsanto's recent field trials in Ireland, and in view of Ireland's membership of the WTO.

One of the objectives of the Agri Aware Trust is to promote greater awareness, not only for the public but also the farming community itself, of issues like best practice in the protection of the environment, animal welfare and food safety.

As the trust's secretary, Pat Smith, points out: "There is a great deal of debate and confusion about the whole area of biotechnology. While US farmers have accepted new technologies, in the crossfire of debate and general confusion, Irish and European farmers have got conflicting signals. If these advances are proved to be safe and beneficial, what are the implications for Irish farmers if they are prevented from using them in a competitive international market?"

Smith believes by getting Transition Year students - who for the most part are agenda free and without pressure from either side of the debate - to engage with the topic, this will in the end produce conclusions which will be of benefit to everyone.

Packs containing details of the Agri Aware Student Challenge are being posted this week to all schools providing Transition Year. Entry forms only - not the project - must be completed and returned to Agri Aware before February 25th. After that, further information and a list of all the relevant websites where information is available will be sent to the schools.

Students are required to prepare a paper, setting out all the issues as they see them, and to deliver a report which lists conclusions and recommendations on how the consumer, farmer and processor should deal with biotechnology in farming and food. The project provides an opportunity for students to work as a team to investigate, research and analyse before compiling a full report on their findings. Students will be exposed to different subject areas including scientific, environmental, socio-economic and political issues.

"There are two sides to this debate, so, what we want students to do is take a look at both and then come to their own conclusions, rather than being spoon-fed on the opinions of others," explains project manager Grace FitzGerald.

The project will be judged and rated on the following three distinct sections:

180 marks for researching the current issues; political, economic, social, technological and their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Other issues students are asked to consider include the consumer, the farming and food industry as well as the national and Global impacts.

180 marks for the analysis of the issues, examining the pros and cons of biotechnology in agriculture.

240 marks for conclusions and recommendations based on research and analysis undertaken.

The use of the Internet is also encouraged. Agri Aware believes this is important, as it encourages students to use their own initiative and be creative when searching for information.