1. Ethical Issues in the Classroom: Ideas for teaching resources Paul Beaumont Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS), Homerton College

2. Outline Background Ethical Issues in the Curriculum Resources: – TV/Video – Example of social biology – Genetic disease dilemmas – National DNA Database – Wellcome Trust activity – Case study activity

3. Ethical Issues Social, moral and ethical issues - more clearly set out in syllabuses Social, ethical and legal implications of science to be integrated into the curriculum Resources need to be developed Training courses should be designed to update teachers

4. Ethical Issues & Specifications Salters-Nuffield AS/A2 Biology – Discuss the scientific arguments for and against the use of genetically engineered crops (improved crop quality, enhanced yield and consequences for the environment) – Discuss the social and ethical arguments for and against the use of genetically engineered crops

5. Ethical Issues & Specifications Scottish Qualifications Authority Higher Biotechnology: – Discuss case studies of transgenic plants and animals Advanced Higher Biology: – Discuss moral and ethical issues relating to the use of transgenic animals and plants

6. TV/Video GATTACA (Columbia Tristar). Set in the future - two classes of people: – ‘Valids’ whose genetic attributes have been selected before birth, – ‘In-valids’ who are the result of natural conception.

7. TV/Video The Gift (1995) Y Touring Theatre Company 2 generations of the Kay family Family has 2 distinguishing characteristics : – a marked excellence in sports among some family members – the presence of a rogue gene that causes Friederich’s ataxia. This disease is rare, crippling and often fatal.

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9. Genetic Disease Dilemmas

10. 1. Place ‘Most Challenging Dilemma’ and ‘Least Challenging Dilemma’ cards at opposite ends 2. Someone reads, at random, one of the dilemma cards and starts discussion 3. Group discuss the card and place relative to the ‘Most’ and ‘Least’ cards 4. Next person reads out second card – discussion and placing of card 5. Continue until all of the cards have been used Typically 45 – 60 minutes for full set of cards

11. National DNA Database Established 1995 Run by FSS on behalf of ACPO Currently some 2.2 million samples – rate of growth 400 000 p.a. Currently 180 000 crime scene DNA profiles 132% increase in DNA evidence since 2000 ca. 75 serious (murder, rape etc.) matches each month ca. 3500 motor vehicle, drug property matches

12. Some issues Which profiles should be retained? Those cautioned/arrested and found guilty?

13. Some issues Which profiles should be retained? Those cautioned/arrested and found guilty? Those suspected and found innocent?

14. Some issues Which profiles should be retained? Those cautioned/arrested and found guilty? Those suspected and found innocent? Those suspected and not charged?

15. Some issues Which profiles should be retained? Those cautioned/arrested and found guilty? Those suspected and found innocent? Those suspected and not charged? Those who volunteer in ‘mass screenings’?

16. Dilemmas Exercise In this exercise you must judge whether various situations are morally good or bad and try to give reasons for your decisions For each card you must decide how morally acceptable the situation is and describe it as either: – Morally very good – Morally good – Morally neutral – Morally bad – Morally very bad You must also write down a reason for your decision 1

17. Dilemmas Exercise -Instructions 1. Work in groups of no more than six people 2. Take a set of cards (there are 5 cards in each set) 3. One person begins by reading out the first card of a set, and then he or she begins the group discussion. DO NOT READ THE NEXT CARD AT THIS STAGE! 2

18. Dilemmas Exercise -Instructions 4. Whole group to discuss the dilemma and decide on your response - record it on the response record card. 5. Same person reads out the next card, leads the discussion and then records the group response - this continues until all cards are read and responses recorded. 6. Repeat steps 1-5 using a different set of dilemma cards. 3

19. Dilemma Response Sheet DILEMMA TITLE Card 1 Decision Reason Card 2 Decision Reason Card 3 Decision Reason Card 4 Decision Reason Card 5 Decision Reason

20. Case Studies Working in your groups: Read through your case study Discuss issues within your group Try to agree upon answers to questions Use the flip chart paper to produce a group presentation (to last < 4 minutes!) Other groups have different case studies

21. Case Studies Some case studies have no obvious answers We often have different opinions Wider discussion is necessary

22. Contact: Science and Plants for Schools, Homerton College, Cambridge CB2 2PH. Tel: 01223 507168 E-mail: SAPS@homerton.cam.ac.uk or pb288@cam.ac.uk Web: http://www.saps.org.uk