Transcript Document

Eli Minkoff • Pam Baker
Biology Today
Third Edition
Chapter 1
Biology: Science and Ethics
Copyright © 2004 by Garland Science
Chapter 1
A.
Properties of living things
list them and relate them to further materials
B.
Scientific Method
subject matter and limitations
inductive
vs.
deductive reasoning
(specific to general) (general to specific; if…then)
Hypothesis: must be testable (falsifiable)
Experiments/observations test hypothesis
must be reproducible
must have appropriate controls
B. Scientific Method (cont)
Paradigm: framework
changes periodically with scientific revolution
Ethics:
deontological written code, individual rights
emphasis on actions
(right vs wrong)
utilitarian
greatest good for most
emphasis on consequences
Properties of living things: (pg 11)
Living things are organized (cells)
Living things are metabolic
Living things respond to stimuli
Living things are homeostatic
Living things grow (biosynthesis)
Living things contain genetic material
Living things reproduce
Living things form populations
Why aren’t leaves green in the Fall?
What is science?
• a ongoing process
• a way of knowing and investigating the physical,
natural world
• based on observation and experimentation and
must be reproducible
• involves inductive and deductive reasoning
Scientific Method
Inductive reasoning
specifics to generalization
(Hypothesis)
Deductive reasoning
generalization to specific predictions
(If/then statements)
Scientific Method
Hypothesis
“statement about the
observable universe,
formulated in such a way
that it can be tested”
(disproven) [BT3 pg. 2-3]
“This process is called the scientific
method. In reality, few scientists
adhere rigidly to this prescription.”
(BT3, pg 4)
Science has limitations
• the physical, natural world
• behavior of objects
• can say nothing about the
“supernatural” or “spiritual”
What is science?
Method of investigation based
on testing hypotheses
An example
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis: Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Deduction:
If S is safe to eat, then mice
whose diet contains 50% S
should be as healthy as mice
who don’t eat any S.
Is this a valid
experiment?
No, it needs a
“control” group
Data- Mice with cancer
%S
in diet
#mice
% with cancer
50%
0%
33/100
0/100
33 %
0 %
Conclusions?
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis: Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Deduction:
If S is safe to eat, then mice
whose diet contains 50% S
should be as healthy as mice
who don’t eat any S.
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis: Sweetener S is a safe food additive.
Change hypothesis
Is an artificial sweetener
safe for humans to eat?
Hypothesis: Sweetener S is a safe food additive
in low doses.
Deduction:
If S is safe to eat, then mice
whose diet contains small amounts
of S should be as healthy as mice
who don’t eat any S.
5%, 10%, 15%……
…..45%, 50%
Data- Mice with cancer
%S
#mice
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
0/100
0/100
0/100
2/100
5/100
15/100
20/200
23/100
25/100
28/100
30/100
%
0
0
0
2
5
“control”
experimental
experimental
experimental
experimental
15
experimental
20
experimental
23
experimental
25
experimental
28
experimental
30
experimental
Experiments
• Be as specific as you can with your hypothesis.
• Be sure to include a “control” group.
• Be careful with your conclusions.
• Do your data address ethical/moral issues?
moral rules (laws)
right vs. wrong
Ethics
Promises…
…should be kept.
Parking laws…
…should be obeyed.
To park
or
not to park
?
How do we resolve moral conflict?
Different people may have
different ethical systems
Deontological
Utilitarian
Based on traditions
(e.g., written code)
Looks at
consequences
often religious
Bible, Koran, …
the most good…
for the
most people
individual “rights”
“ends justify
the means”
?
Many societal (legal/political) decisions are
based on a particular ethic
Two examples:
Use of animals in research
Use of people in research
Use of animals in research
Historically:
Animals are property
labor, food, companionship
Do animals have rights?
Use in experiments?
regulations
Use of people in research
Review panels
Drug testing
species differences
Comparative studies
e.g. cholesterol
Informed consent
Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)
Deontological argument
for
against
Utilitarian argument
for
against
Thought questions (BT3 pg. 29)
Deontological argument
for
against
Utilitarian argument
for
against
Beating a horse
Use canary in coal mine
Raising cattle for human consumption
Testing drugs on prisoners
Quiz samples:
List characteristics….
Recognize inductive/deductive
deontological/utilitarian