Transcript Bioethics WebQuest

Bioethics WebQuest
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page
A WebQuest for 9th Grade
Biology
Designed by
Ms. Valdes
[email protected]
Introduction
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Imagine the following scenarios:
1. You are one of the last "natural" babies born into a sterile, geneticallyenhanced world, where life expectancy and disease likelihood are
known at birth. Society analyzes your DNA and determines where you
belong in life. You are born with a heart condition and therefore have
no chance of a career in a society that now discriminates against your
genes, instead of your gender, race or religion
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You are born into a genetically-enhanced world, where life expectancy
is infinite and diseases have been completely wiped out. Society
analyzes where you belong in life based on your superior skills and
talents (that your parents selected before creating you) instead of any
other factors. You are born with a heart condition that is immediately
treated and cured before you leave the hospital with your parents. You
live in a society in which all people have benefited from genetic
engineering of some kind.
Are these plots for a new movies? Is truth stranger than fiction? Are
these scenarios possible? How would you feel about a world like this?
In this WebQuest you will decide for yourself if these scenarios are
possible given what we know about genetics today.
Task
Your task to complete for this WebQuest consists of 3 parts.
On your own: Study background information on
a specific area of bioethics assigned to you.
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As a Team:
Put together a presentation highlighting the
characteristics of each area of bioethics.
Independent Assessment: Assume 1
answer the essential question; What
might affect your life and future?
How?
of 5 roles and
bioethical issues
Process
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Part One: Become a Bioethics Expert
Visit the website addressing the area of expertise assigned
to you and review the material describing the bioethical
issue. Complete the worksheet as you go.
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Stem Cells: (Worksheet)
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/stemcells/index.cfm
Cloning: (Worksheet)
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/index.cfm
Gene Therapy: (Worksheet)
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/genetherapy/index.c
fm
Designer Drugs: (Worksheet)
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/pharma/index.cfm
Process
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Part Two: Work as a Group
In your group of 4 use the worksheets to create a power
point presentation highlighting the characteristics of each
bioethical issue you researched. This is a place for facts
only, no opinions.
Process
Part Three: Assume One of the
Following Roles and Complete the
Evaluation Task
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1
Role : You have a medical condition that might benefit
from (Choose one: stem cells, cloning, gene therapy, or
designer drugs). Write a letter to your legislator explaining
why this issue is important to you and how they can help.
This site might helphttp://www.utah.gov/government/contactgov.html
Process
Part Three: Assume One of the
Following Roles and Complete the
Evaluation Task
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2
Role : You have a family member or good friend with a
medical condition that might benefit from (Choose one: stem
cells, cloning, gene therapy, or designer drugs). Write a
letter to your legislator explaining why this issue is important
to you and how they can help. This site might helphttp://www.utah.gov/government/contactgov.html
Process
Part Three: Assume One of the
Following Roles and Complete the
Evaluation Task
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3
Role : You are a research scientist studying one of the
following issues. (Choose one: stem cells, cloning, gene
therapy, or designer drugs).Write a lecture you would give
to fellow scientists describing the importance of your
research.
Process
Part Three: Assume One of the
Following Roles and Complete the
Evaluation Task
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4
Role : You are a religious leader in your community.
Write a sermon that you would give to your congregation
describing your view on (Choose one: stem cells, cloning,
gene therapy, or designer drugs).
Process
Part Three: Assume One of the
Following Roles and Complete the
Evaluation Task
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5
Role : You are a legislator (law maker). Propose a bill
with your suggestions on what a new law should be focusing
on (Choose one: stem cells, cloning, gene therapy, or
designer drugs). This site might helphttp://www.utah.gov/capitolbuilding/utahlaw2.html
Evaluation
4
Exceeds
Standards
Bioethics Expert
Group
Presentation
Evaluation Task
3
Meets Standards
2
Approaching
Standards
1
Below Standards
Learning has gone beyond a
basic understanding by
showing that you have
connected it to previous
knowledge. Your
completion of the
worksheet shows evidence
of a sound understanding of
the topic.
Clear learning on the topic
has taken place. Your
completion of the
worksheet demonstrates an
ability to discuss the topic
using examples or evidence.
The worksheet was
completed, but little effort
was made to internalize the
information and digest how
it relates to you.
Some online research was
conducted, but not
sufficient to complete the
worksheet.
This group's information is
soundly reasoned and goes
beyond a basic
understanding by
addressing key issues that
make the topic a challenge
to come to terms with. Uses
facts to back up this
reasoning.
The group presentation is
based on a clear
understanding of the
information and works to
express it in a clear and
factual way. No weak spots
exist.
The group’s presentation is
based on a clear
understanding of the
information and works to
express it in a factual way.
Several weak spots and
opinions may still exist.
Your group's presentation
is incomplete. Ideas are
thrown together, not
thought through. Several
content errors and opinions
present.
Your online research and
completion of this task
proves that not only have
you discovered new
information, but you have
firmly connected it to
previous related knowledge
and shows evidence of a
sound understanding of the
topic. Your own personal
feelings on the subject are
clear and well stated.
Creativity and effort are
evident, but more effort
could have been taken to
contribute deep, original
thought to this task. The
final product does not
reflect adequately your own
personal feelings on the
subject. A few grammatical
errors are present but
easily revised.
Your finished product has
some content and
grammatical errors that are
easily fixed with minimal
revision.
The final draft seems
rushed or incomplete. The
message is not clearly
expressed. Several content
and gramtical errors.
Conclusion
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Genetic engineering (the term for the 4 areas of
bioethics in this WebQuest) has been around for
20-30 years. Recently there has been an
explosion of discoveries in the field of genetics
leading to bioethical issues. These discoveries
could help or harm our current world. Hopefully
you are one step closer to being an informed
citizen on these issues. It is up to you to decide
which side of the fence you stand on in this
area.
Credits
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www.CartoonStock.com
www.photobucket.com
http://office.microsoft.com/enus/clipart/default.aspx
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Uen rubric creator
GATTACA plot
Wikipedia
Teacher Page
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Learners: 9-12 grade Biology students
Prior Knowledge: Students should have had instruction in
reproduction, genetics, DNA and cell functions.
Utah State Standard IV: Students will understand that genetic
information coded in DNA is passes from parents to offspring by
sexual and asexual reproduction. Te basic structure of DNA is the
same in all living things. Changes in DNA may alter gene
expression.
Objecive 2: Predict and interpret patterns of inheritance in sexually
reproductuctive organisms.
d. Analyze bioethical issues and consider the role of
science in determining public policy.
Implementation:
-Computers with Internet access
-Word processing program
-Rubric for assessing the final project.