Last Name: __________________
First Name: ____________________
Date: _____________
SBI3C1: Bioethics Debate
Purpose: You are at a debate conference taking place in the Biotechnology department of York University. You
must either choose to defend or refute a topic related to a biotechnology issue.
Procedure:
1) Choose a partner you want to work with.
2) With your partner, choose a topic; one partner will take the pro side and the other will take the con side
of the issue.
3) Do research to gather background information, statistics and any other information that will help you
debate your side.
4) Write down your ideas and supporting information.
5) You and your partner will present your debate to the class.
6) The class (audience at York University) will vote which side they agree with more strongly, based on the
arguments given in the debate.
Presentation of Debate:
 4 minutes: Pro presentation
 4 minutes: Con presentation
 1 minute: Pro rebuttal
 1 minute: Con rebuttal
 30 seconds : pro powerful closing statement
 30 seconds: con powerful closing statement
 3 minutes: Audience vote and winner is announced
Topics :
1. Cloning: Should there be a ban on animal cloning?
2. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)- agriculture: Should we continue to genetically engineer food
products? Do we have the right to know what genes exist in our food?
3. Recombinant DNA: (recall yesterday’s lesson- inserting insulin gene into bacterial plasmids to treat
diabetes) Should we continue to genetically engineer organisms to treat our diseases? Is it fair to the
microorganism?
4. Bacterial insecticides: should Bacillius thuringiensis be used on plants?
5. Stem Cell Research: Should stem cell research be allowed?
6. Antibiotic resistance Superbugs: Should we continue to develop antibiotics?
7. Use of botulinum toxin: Should we continue to use botulinum toxin for medical (Botox) and cosmetic
purposes?
Groups with topics
Stem cell research – Janelle and Hode
GMOs (agriculture) – Rochelle and Dona
Use of botulinum toxin : Gwyneth and Ecaterina
Antibiotic resistance Superbugs: Jericho and Kelly
Recombinant DNA: EmerJ and Becky