Ethical Issues Surrounding DNA Technology Scientific Controversy

DNA can be used to compare and identify organisms which has many applications in modern life such as identifying crime suspects, paternity testing, and cataloging endangered species. Humans have been influencing genes since the agricultural revolution. Genetically modified transgenic organisms can be engineered to benefit society. There are ethical issues surrounding how societies use DNA technology.

Essential Question:

  1. How can DNA be utilized to benefit society?
  2. What should be the limits on DNA technology?

Standards:

NC Bio 3.3.3 Evaluate some of the ethical issues surrounding the use of DNA technology (including cloning, genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, and Human Genome Project)

Task

Prepare for and participate in a discussion of a scientific controversy related to ethical issues surrounding how societies use DNA technology.

Possible Research Questions or create your own: student(s) assigned “FOR” and assigned “AGAINST” for each

  1. GMOs: Are genetically modified food crops a good option to feed a growing world population?
  2. Gene Therapy: Should germline gene therapies be pursued by scientists?
  3. Stem Cell Research: Should stem cell research be expanded and eligible for government funding?
  4. DNA Databases: Should the results of genetic testing be stored in DNA databases accessible to researchers and law enforcement?

Part 1: Build your argument

Use the following table to develop and justify your claim with evidence (data). Include sources for each fact/piece of data - a superscript and a URL for now. You must include at least 3 very high quality sources.

The Research Question/Statement:
The Scientific Process and Application:
Your Claim:
Your Evidence (footnote source below): / Reasoning based on Evidence
Sources for all information:

Part 2: Addressing Counterarguments

List the arguments of the other team and develop your counterargument to them. Record your response in the rebuttal column.

For / Against
Argument #1 / Rebuttal
Rebuttal / Argument #1
Argument #2 / Rebuttal
Rebuttal / Argument #2
Argument #3 / Rebuttal
Rebuttal / Argument #3

Knowledge:

●Students will accurately explain the processes involved in their topic (gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, gene therapy, etc.)

●Students will correctly identify the real world applications

Application:

●Students will use and cite credible sources

●Students will use evidence to support a claim

●Students will be able to infer possible societal implications (economic, social justice, privacy, etc)

●Students will view an issue from multiple perspectives.

Communication: Submit a product.

●Focused

● Well organized

●Pictures and/or data

●Well spoken

●Neat

Grading Rubric:

KNOWLEDGE Knows and understands scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods / APPLICATION Applies scientific knowledge, skills and methods to manipulate, analyze, synthesize, create and evaluate / COMMUNICATION , Communicates scientific knowledge and applications through writing, speech, and visual displays
4 / Descriptions of scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods are complete and correct / Applications are thorough, appropriate, and accurate / Written, oral and/or visual communication is well organized and effective.
3 / Descriptions of scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods are mostly complete and correct / Applications are mostly thorough, appropriate, and accurate. / Most of the written, oral and/or visual communication is well organized and effective.
2 / Descriptions of scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods are somewhat complete and correct. / Applications are somewhat, appropriate, and accurate. / Some of the written, oral and/or visual communication is organized and effective.
1 / Descriptions of scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods are minimally present or correct / Applications are minimally appropriate and accurate. / Little of the written, oral and/or visual communication is organized and effective.
0 / All descriptions of scientific terms, facts, concepts, principles, theories and methods are missing and/or incorrect / All applications are missing and/or incorrect. / All of the written, oral or visual communication is missing and/or lacks organization.

Score:______