The Ethics of Human Cloning Discussion Board
Your task:
 Examine the resources below and consider the issue of biological pest control and biotechnology.
 Go to the appropriate discussion board at this link:
 Respond to the prompt on the discussion board page. Be sure to refer back to the readings as you
respond. Please be sure to take a stand on the issues. A good response will be about 4 paragraphs.
Please feel free to go beyond the prompt in your reactions to the articles.
 Comment on at least three (standard) or four (honors) of the other posters.
 Comment on at least one of the comments made responding to your post.
 Please see the rubric for more details about expectations and grading.
Your Prompt:
It appears that humans can use various modes of cloning (reproductive and therapeutic) for
various purposes. We may be able to improve our food supply, alter our environment, improve our
health, and alter our anatomy and physiology. In short, we can use cloning to alter human evolution
for the better. The question is, should we? Is the reward of using cloning on humans worth the
risks?
Your Resources:
You can read as many of these as you want or find other sources. The important thing is that your
writing incorporates research from other sources as you present your opinion.
Be sure to check out the Cloning unit PowerPoint on our webpage!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/fertility/etc/cloning.html
http://www.humancloning.org
http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/human-cloning-laws.aspx
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/section.php?id=16
http://www.nature.com/news/human-stem-cells-created-by-cloning-1.12983
https://www.genome.gov/25020028
http://www.livescience.com/34487-human-cloning-stem-cell-ethics.html
https://bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu/pcbe/reports/cloningreport/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whatiscloning/
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/mcgee.html
http://io9.com/9-unexpected-outcomes-of-human-cloning-1606556772
Dues dates:
Your original response post: _____________________
Your comments on other posts: ___________________
Your response to someone’s response to your post: ________________
Rubric:
Initial response
post:
Understanding
1
Post lacks evidence
of understanding the
material
Initial response
post:
Opinion
Sufficient Claim
Post does not present
clearly argued
opinion
A claim is included
but it does not answer
the research question.
Adequate
Rationale
Makes a simple
assertion that the
support provided
“proves it” or it
simply refers to the
evidence without
explaining it.
Does not respond to
the required number
of posts
Responses to
others
Deadlines and
respect
Deadlines are not met
making it impossible
for peers to respond
Or, tone of posts is
not respectful of
others
2
Post cites readings and
indicates a good
understanding of the
issues they present
Post presents clearly
argued opinion
The claim provides a
basic answer to the
research question but
does not explain
everything.
Explains why the
evidence was included
or how the evidence
supports the claim but
not both.
Responds to required
number of posts but
responses are not well
reasoned or supported by
readings.
Deadlines are met and
tone is respectful
3
Post cites readings and
indicates a thorough
understanding of the
issues they present
Post presents clearly
argued opinion supported
by the readings
The claim answers the
research question and
explains everything it
should.
Explains why the
evidence was included
and how the evidence
supports the claim.
Responses to others are
well reasoned and
supported by the readings.
Your reply asks
question(s) of the original
poster, makes connections
to your own ideas or other
things you've
read/heard/seen, etc.