Stem Cell Debate
When does human life begin? When does personhood begin? Should our government allow
scientists to do research on stem cells if doing so requires taking the life of a human
embryo? These are only a few of the difficult questions surrounding the issue of stem cell
research.
Stem cells are one of the most fascinating -- and controversial -- areas of biology today.
While these cells have great potential to heal damaged tissues and cure diseases, they also
raise difficult bioethical questions about what is or is not acceptable in developing new
medical treatments.
Your challenge is to write a 3-4 page essay summarizing your position on the following
question:
“Should the government increase funding for embryonic stem cell research?”
Your position paper should address the following areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Background information. What are stem cells and where do they come from? How
are adult stem cells different from embryonic stem cells? Why are stem cells
important to medical researchers? What are the current restrictions on research
and how much money is currently spent on research?
What are the strongest/most common arguments from those in favor?
What are the strongest/most common arguments from those who are opposed?
What is your position? What do you think should be done? How do you respond to
arguments from those who disagree?
Bibliography. Be sure to use credible sources and cite them using MLA format (see
easybib.com). See teacher web page for recommended web sites.
Step One: Position Paper Outline addressing the following areas:
A. Issue
B. Background Information
C. Arguments For
D. Arguments Against
E. Position
F. Bibliography
Step Two: Position Paper final draft. Should be written in same format as outline.
Step Three: Class debate and discussion. We will have small group and large discussion
followed by mock Senate vote on funding increase.
Position Paper Outline due: _________________________
Position Paper Final Draft due: ______________________
Counts as assessment grade!
Name ______________________________________ per. _____ date ____________
Position Paper Scoring Guide: Stem Cells
2
4
3
Approaching Stand
ard
CATEGORY Above Standard Meets Standard
Background Thorough discussion Good, if not
thorough,
Information of the science
behind the issue as
indicated in
directions.
Diagram(s) help
reader better
understand topic.
Discussion missing some
key topics from directions.
discussion of the
Diagram(s) would help
science behind the reader better understand
issue as indicated in topic.
directions.
Diagram(s) help
reader better
understand topic.
Arguments Shows in-depth look Shows adequate
at strongest and
summary of
For
most commonly
used arguments
from those in favor.
strongest and most
commonly used
arguments from
those in favor
Arguments Shows in-depth look Shows adequate
at strongest and
summary of
Against
most commonly
strongest and most
used arguments
commonly used
from those opposed. arguments from
those opposed.
Position Provides a clear,
Statement strong statement of
Sources
Missing a few key
arguments from those in
favor, or
Discussion missing
several key topics from
directions. Diagram(s)
would help reader better
understand topic.
Missing more than a few
key arguments from
those in favor, or
Some arguments need to Many arguments need to
be explained in greater
be explained in greater
detail
detail
Missing a few key
arguments from those
opposed, or
Missing more than a few
key arguments from
those opposed, or
Some arguments need to Many arguments need to
be explained in greater
be explained in greater
detail
detail.
Provides a clear
statement of your
your position on the position on the
topic. Explains
topic. Explains
reasoning clearly
reasoning clearly
and effectively
and addresses
addresses
some arguments
arguments from
from those who
those who disagree. disagree.
Provides a clear
statement of your position
on the topic, but
reasoning may need more
explanation. Does not
effectively address
arguments from those
who disagree.
Does not provide clear
statement of your position
on the topic. Or
reasoning is
flawed/unclear. Fails to
address arguments from
those who disagree.
All sources used for
quotes, statistics and
facts are credible
and cited using MLA
format.
Some sources used for
quotes, statistics and
facts are not credible or
not cited correctly.
Several sources are
suspect (not credible)
AND/OR are not cited
correctly.
All sources used for
quotes, statistics
and facts are
credible and most
are cited using MLA
format.
Few, if any errors in Some errors in
Significant errors in
Writing
mechanics.
Writing
mechanics,
but
not
mechanics begin to
Mechanics
is informative and
(spelling,
engaging.
punctuation,
capitalization, All in original voice
grammar)
and style.
Comments:
1
Below Standard
enough to impede
reading and
understanding.
Most in original
voice and style.
impede reading and
understanding.
Many errors in mechanics
make reading and
understanding difficult.
Most sections written in
Several sections written in someone else’s words.
someone else’s words.
score: _______/24_____
Name
Date
Per. ____ Biology
Stem Cell Position Paper
Issue: Should the government increase funding for embryonic stem cell
research?
Background Information:
(4 paragraphs addressing the 4 questions in this section of Outline)
Arguments For:
(Bullet point list OK, but explain each point enough to be clear)
Arguments Against:
(Bullet point list OK, but explain each point enough to be clear)
Position:
(1-2 paragraphs stating your position and reasons. Be sure to
address arguments from those who disagree.)
Bibliography:
(Cite all sources using MLA format)
No Wikipedia! No Google!
See easybib.com for help
NOTES:
 Use 10-12 point font. Times New Roman or Arial best.
 1.5 spaced if possible, double spaced if not
Bibliography Format for Online Sources (MLA)
Online Only
Include the name of the website, the name of the editor (if given), the date of electronic publication
(if given), the sponsoring institution (if given), and the date of access, and the URL.
Format:


To cite a general website:
o Name of website. Editor(s) of website. Date of electronic publication. Associated
institution. Date of access <URL>.
To cite a specific article from a website:
o Author(s) of internet article. "Name of internet article." Name of website. Editor(s)
of website. Date of electronic publication. Associated institution. Date of access
<URL>.
Examples:


A general website example:
o BBC on the Internet. 2005. British Broadcasting Company. 12 Apr. 2005
<http://www.bbc.com>.
An example of a website with an article:
o Smith, Fred. "New Football Recruits." Northwestern Football. Ed. Alex Shokey. 2004.
Northwestern University. 6 Jun. 2004
<http://www.football.northwestern.edu/recruits>.
Citing an Online Image
Very important! If you are citing an image found in Google Images or any other
image retrieval service, be certain to cite the image in its original context.
Do not provide the URL of the enlarged image - you must use the URL of the page
where the image was originally shown.
 Image creator's last name, first name, if available, or page author's
name if available, followed by a period and a space
 Title of photo followed by a period, in quotation marks. If no title,
describe briefly within quotation marks.
 Descriptive word (photo, map, cartoon, drawing, etc,) followed by a
period and a space
 Website title in italics, followed by a space
 Website publication date in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a period and a
space
 Date image was viewed in DD Mo. YYYY format followed by a space
 Web address in angle brackets, followed by a period
example: Suzuki, Lea. "Mick Jagger." Photo. SFGate.com 14 Nov. 2005. 14
Nov. 2005 <http://www.sfgate.com>.