Presentation Topics
Note: These are suggested topics but if you and your partner have an idea that you think ties into the
course, feel free to pitch it to me and it might even be approved.
1. Applications involving enzymes for the food and pharmaceutical industries
- Natural and synthetic enzymes used in food production
- Control of reaction rates in pharmaceutical industry
2. Evaluate advances in cellular biology and related technologies
- New treatments for cancer , HIV/Aids or hepatitis C
- Radioisotopic labelling to study the function of internal organs
- Fluorescence to study genetic material within cells
- Forensic biological techniques to aid in crime resolution
3. Analyze the role of metabolic processes in biotic and abiotic systems
- Bioaugmentation used to treat waste products and/or pollutants
- Biohydrogen production
- Bioremediation of ground water
4. Assess the relevance of metabolic processes to personal choices
- Use of fad diets that speed up metabolism
- Use of low calorie diets that may lead to organ failure
- Assess how the knowledge of cellular processes has led to the treatment of degenerative
diseases eg. stem-cell technologies
5. Analyze some of the social, ethical and legal regulations pertaining to biotechnology
- Bioengineering of animals for human benefit
- Transgenic crops
- Patents of genetically modified organisms (GMOS), transgenic organisms
- Safety of eating GMOs
- Should governments play a more active role in regulating private biotechnology enterprise
and gene patenting since the nature of scientific research has changed from one of sharing
information to one of patents and secretiveness?
De-extinction: If we can bring back species that have become extinct through human
interference, should we?
- Biotechnology is a double-edged sword. What are some of the benefits and some of the
possible dangers? Are the benefits worth the price?
- Eugenics
6. Analyze some key aspects of Canadian regulations pertaining to biotechnology
- What is Canada’s position on human cloning? What about other countries?
- How does the Canadian Environmental Protection Act regulate biotechnology?
- Regulations on patents of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) or transgenic organisms
7. Use a case study to assess the effects on the human body of taking chemical substances to
enhance performance or improve health
- Steroids used for healing tissues and athletic performance
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- Side effects of statin drugs
- Federal regulation of natural health products
Evaluate human health issues that arise from the impact of human activities on the environment
- Use of biosolids as fertilizer
- Effects of air pollution on asthma
- Dumping of chemicals down sinks and into storm sewers and how that affects the incidence
of skin conditions among swimmers at local beaches
Discuss procedures used in the study of biotechnology
- Transformation
- Gene cloning
- Use of recombinant DNA e.g. in producing insulin
- Use of plasmids
- PCR
- Gene sequencing
- Human Genome Project
- Screening for genetic disease / gene therapy
Reality or science fiction?
- Use examples of technology or moral dilemmas from science fiction movies and discuss
whether they are now based in reality.
Nervous system disorders
- Autism, schizophrenia, dissociative personality disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.
- Effects of heroin, cocaine, marijuana on the brain
Hormonal Issues and disorders
- Effect of environment on hormonal production
Kidney dialysis
Organ donation, Living donors