Ethics Curriculum Developed by Workshop Teachers

These lessons are works-in-progress shared by teachers. Many of them reference the NWABR Ethics Primer for strategies. If you do utilize these lessons, please credit them appropriately. NWABR assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content of these materials.

Animal Issues
Discovery of DNA
GMOS
Organ Transplantation
Physical/Environmental Science
Reproductive Technologies/Genetic Testing
Research Ethics (Data Collection, Human Subjects)
Salmon
Stem Cells/Tissue Research (see also NWABR Stem Cell Resources)

Also: See the 'Action Plans' developed by teachers in 2006

Animal Issues (see also For the Greater Good Curriculum)

• Dissect with Respect: This unit is designed to precede dissection. It encourages students to explore the ethics of dissection and use of animals in research. 2005.
  (word lesson. powerpoint)
• To Cut or Not to Cut: Involve students in a discussion of the use of dissection in schools. 2001.
• Suspicious Origins (Zip file): Explore the role of dogs in cardiovascular research and the regulations in place for the acquisition of research animals. 2000.

Discovery of DNA

• Structure of DNA: Investigate research ethics and the sharing of data. 2002.
• DNA Discovered - Who Gets the Credit? (Zip file): Evaluate the scientific contributions of scientists to determine who should have received credit for the discovery of DNA. 2000.

GMOs

• Genetically Modified Organisms: Through an engaging "hook," background information, technology simulation, and sharing of opposing viewpoints, students will learn the science and ethics of genetically modified organisms as demonstrated by PowerPoint presentations. 2005.
  (word lesson. powerpoint . student final product example)
• GMOs: Should We Grow Them?: Investigate issues associated with the genetic modification of plants. 2003.
• The Price We Pay (Word file): Research issues pertaining to organic and traditional farming. 2000.
  (word lesson. pdf of Fear or Famine additional resource)

Organ Transplantation

• Kidney Pools - Are They Fair?: Investigates the practice of 'pooling' and related issues in organ transplantation. 2004.
  (word lesson. powerpoint presentation)
• Liver Roulette : Examine how ethical considerations impact the choice of a transplant recipient. 2003.
  (word lesson. powerpoint presentation)

Physical / Environmental Science

• Conservation of Energy: This unit is looks at forms of energy, use of energy, different technologies to harness energy and the ethical implications of these sources and technologies. Students explore the ethical issues involved in providing energy for community/economic usage as well as personal consumption. 2005.
  (word lesson. powerpoint)
• Physical Science: Greenhouse Effect: The overall lesson learning objective is to have all students gain an understanding of how their individual decisions can, and often do, effect the global community. (word lesson . powerpoint presentation. Fuel Economy pdf)
• Love Canal: Research a variety of ethical issues surrounding the Love Canal case study. 2002.
• Water Rights : Investigate issues surrounding the use of shared valuable resources. 2001.

Reproductive Technologies/Genetic Testing

• National Mandatory Genetic Screening of Newborns
  Should a bill mandating nationwide genetic screening of newborns be passed? If so, what criteria should be used to choose the disorders? Who pays for screening and subsequent treatment of disorders? These lessons, which use a congressional hearing model and culminate in voting on a bill, will help students analyze the complex issues that arise surrounding genetic screening of newborns for disorders. 2006. word lesson
• Genetic Testing: This unit combines resources from Roche Genetics, EIBE, and the Genetic Science Learning Center to focus on the bioethics of Genetic Testing. 2005.
  (word lesson. powerpoint)
• Designer Babies: This unit introduces the concepts of ethical decision making in the realm of reproductive technology. After completing this unit the students will understand how to use principles of ethics to rationally analyze the current and emerging techniques to select specific characteristics in children. 2004.
  (word lesson. powerpoint on bioethics vocabulary)
• Eugenics : This is a science/humanities unit integrating secondary English, Social Studies, and Science curricula investigating eugenics, which is an attempt to create a better world by improving the human gene pool. As genetic science progresses, and the ability to affect genetic configurations increases, questions as to the ethical "appropriateness" emerge. In addition, there are social and legal implications to be considered. 2004.
  (word lesson)
• The Nash Family: Explore the issues surrounding the use of selecting embryos with desired qualities to become donors of stem cells for siblings. 2002.

Research Ethics

• The Ethics of Using Humans as Experimental Subjects (Or, is it OK to do experiments on people?)
  This unit allows an introductory chemistry class to explore a Science-Technology-Society issue involving ethical decision-making. A Socratic seminar addresses the question, ‘Is it ever acceptable to use humans as experimental subjects and if so, when and with what restrictions?’ 2006. word lesson.
• Honesty and Ethics in the Science Lab: Explore research ethics, including the manipulation of data. Designed to be used at the beginning of the school year to introduce ethics and honest lab practices. 2003.
  (word lesson. powerpoint presentation)
• Race and Genetics: Examine notions of 'race', society's perceptions of 'race', and the recent genetic research that could have a powerful impact on both. 2003.
• Walter Reed's Yellow Fever Studies: Use the historical context of the building of the Panama Canal as a setting for exploring the controversial medical experiments of Water Reed. This unit focuses on ethical issues in human subjects research. 2002.

Salmon

• Salmon: Four separate related lessons focusing on Ethical Ways to Acquire and Distribute Fish as a Food Source: 1) Transgenic Salmon 2) Fish Consumption and Environmental Justice 3) Impacts of Human Activities on Fish Habitat 4) GMOS and Sustainability. 2004.
  (word lesson)
• Transgenic Salmon: Evaluate issues surrounding gene-altered Atlantic salmon that grow far faster than normal. 2002.
• Biologically Altered - Transgenic Salmon (Word file): Research and debate the pros and cons of raising transgenic salmon in enclosed pens in Washington State. 2000.

Stem Cells/Tissue Research

• The Science & Ethics of Stem Cell Research
  This lesson provides students the opportunity to reinforce their understanding of cell division and development and introduces the science and ethics of stem cell research. 2006. (word lesson)
  
• Stem Cells: This lesson contains three units, which can be used together or separately. 2005.

Basic Background of Stem Cells
Uses National Geographic July 2005 Article

Bioethics of Stem Cells
Uses articles from the news, critical reasoning analysis, and decision-making frameworks provided in the NWABR Ethics Primer.

Congressional Subcommittee Hearing on Stem Cells
Discusses bioethics of stem cells and federal policy

• Stem Cells: Investigate stem cells, cloning, and the ethical implications of these technologies. (word lesson . powerpoint presentation) 2003.
• The Nash Family: Explore the issues surrounding the use of selecting embryos with desired qualities to become donors of stem cells for siblings. 2002.
• Bioethics and Fetal Tissue Research (38 kb Word file): Explore the use of fetal tissue for medical treatment and research. 2000.

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