Dr Dave Lewis School of Biomedical Sciences FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Integrating neuro-ethics into Secondary and Tertiary education: The Leeds experience

Overview University strategy Ethics training within the Faculty of Biological Sciences  Neuroscience undergraduates  Postgraduates Ethics in secondary education  Animals in research  Involving students within/outside taught curriculum Ethics public engagement activities- Performance 2012

Leeds Benchmark statements University strategy  Leeds for Life  Core Threads- “Ethics and Responsibility”  Introduce students to ethical issues within their discipline  Raise awareness and ability to think through ethical issues IDEA CETL Faculty of Biological Sciences  Biological scientists not ethicists  Discipline specific  Integrated within existing teaching  No theory- interactive, facilitated workshops

Neuroscience undergraduate Level 4 Introduction to ethical issues within neuroscience Scientific integrity Roles and responsibilities of a scientist Level 5 Informed consent Use of animals in biomedical research Public understanding of science Level 6 Ethics in FY projects “Science & Society” FY projects Integrative Biomedical Sciences

Introduction to ethics Ethics in everyday life Ethics in neuroscience  Areas of research  As a neuroscientist Human genome  Genetic screening  Genetic selection  Genetic manipulation

Integrative Biomedical Sciences Whole animal experimental techniques Understanding of different viewpoints Reflect on own views Alternatives & role in modern research Knowledge & ability to apply 3Rs  Debate  Reflective blog  Assessments  End of module essay

Engaging students Interesting, not a “bolt” on, discipline-specific You are a biomedical researcher working with Médicins sans Frontière (a charitable organization of volunteer doctors) visiting a remote tribe in South America. When you arrive you discover that a large pharmaceutical firm is there and are engaged in collecting blood samples from members of the tribe. The pharmaceutical firm hopes to use the samples to isolate and characterise particular genes. Their researchers entered into an agreement with the chief of the tribe to collect the samples from all the members of the tribe in exchange for building materials. When you speak with the chief you discover that his language has no word for DNA or gene but he is happy with the deal he has arranged. sports science student undertaking an internship at a refugee camp in Africa. biomedical researcher working with Médicins sans Frontière (a charitable organization of volunteer doctors) visiting a remote tribe in South America within interests in sports physiology/human performance  which may enhance sporting performance. Their long-term goal is to be able to enhance athletic performance using genetic technologies. 

Applying the training: FY projects Identify & address ethical & research governance issues within their FY project Paragraph within dissertation discussion Training  Workshop  VLE discussion forum Faculty & university policy

PGR students Ethics in Biological Sciences 4 monthly report Ethics at transfer Transfer report / viva Misconduct in scientific research Research specific  Use of human tissues  Use of animals in research- ethics & 3Rs in practice Final thesis/viva

External engagement opportunities External speakers & seminars  LUU, Leeds Salon, Leeds Dialogue, Leeds Sceptics Campaign or pressure groups

Ethics in secondary education Ethics within GCSE & GCE curricula Teachers perspective Delivery, OERs & LO Use of animals in research / drug discovery Involving students  Science & Society FY undergraduate projects  Educational internships o “Ethics in schools” wiki o Performance 2012

Use of animals in research / drug discovery In-vivo neuroscientist Interactive presentation or debate Audience response handsets Focus of ethics, alternatives & 3Rs Sufficient information to make informed decision

The presentation

Initial opinions A: Thought about B: Agree with 80% occasionally or never though about animal research 36% agree or strongly agree

Drug discovery: preferred option

Prisoners are preferred option 40% think that prisoners or severely disabled should be used

Acceptance increases with knowledge 36% to 64% shift in opinion

Ethics public engagement: Curricula & extracurricular opportunities Alternative to traditional FY projects Create, deliver & evaluate teaching session Interactive & curriculum enhancing Primary or secondary Topics:  Use of animals in research, cruel or necessary  The ethical sportsman or women  Playing God  Creating super humans: Curing disease or enhancing performance? “Science and Society” Final Year Research Projects:

“Science and Society” FY projects

Extra-curricula opportunities: CD internships OERs & LOs Search, evaluate & collate “Ethics in schools” wiki Re-purposing “Science & Society” final year projects Employability skills, publication & resource

Extra-curricula opportunities: Performance 2012 Supported by Explore physiological & pharmacological enhancement of sporting success  Knowledge & understanding of exercise physiology & pharmacology  Debate ethical issues Drugs in sport Roles & responsibilities debate

“The science behind sporting success” Aim: Introduce public to performance enhancement in sport & provide opportunity to reflect on ethical issues

Ethics in Neuroscience Integrated programme within UG & PG curricula  Awareness of ethical issues  Ability to address ethical issues in the future Ethics within secondary curricula Public engagement – curricula & extra-curricular opportunities Any Questions Dave Lewis: