MOLECULAR GENETICS, GRADE 12 UNIVERSITY
D1.1 Analyse, on the basis of research, some of the social, ethical, and legal implications of
biotechnology (e.g., the bioengineering of animal species, especially those intended for human
consumption; the cultivation of transgenic crops; the patenting of life forms; cloning) [IP, PR, AI,
C]
A) Watch the movie “The Island”
B) Issue: Organ donors have declined and young as well as middle-aged adults are dying due to the
lack of compatible organs.
The scientific community has the government’s full support to clone individuals for the purpose of
collecting compatible organs. The patient will have new organs and will survive, the patient’s clone,
however, will not. The government passed legislation in favour to cloning for this purpose and called it
“Bill 2012”
C) Debate guidelines:
- Tell your teacher whether you would like to be part of the audience, the judges, or member of
the opposing team, or member of the team in favour of bill 2012. If you decide to be a member of a
debating team, then research on either the cons and/or pros to such legislation.
-
Research must use scientific studies on the benefits of cloning (look for medical journals,
bioengineering technology, etc.)
You are also permitted to use logical statements, philosophical inspiration, historical and
religious implications, etc. to counter bill 2012.
Use any credible and potentially solid information to aid your purpose.
To any statement, you must provide a source of reference (unless the statement is your own
creation and inspiration based on informed decision.
You must convince a body of 6 neutral judges. The group that convinces the most wins the
debate.
A rubric will be provided to assess your work.
D) If you decide to be part of the judges you must provide a two-page reflection on why you were
convinced by either party. State why you were indifferent to the issue at first, explain the arguments that
won your interests and sympathy. State which member of your favourite team had the biggest impact on
your decision.
E) If you decide to be part of the audience, then provide a two-page reflection on why you were in favour
or against bill 2012. State which team influenced your decision. State which member of your favourite
team had the strongest on you.
Debating Team Rubric
Name: ___________________________________________
CATEGORIES
Knowledge/
Understanding
LEVEL 1
50 – 59 %
demonstrates
limited
knowledge of
content
Application
LEVEL 3
70 -79 %
LEVEL 4
80 – 100 %
demonstrates
some
knowledge
of content
demonstrates
considerable
knowledge of
content
demonstrates
thorough
knowledge of
content
uses critical/
creative thinking
processes,
skills,
and strategies
with some
effectiveness
uses critical/
creative thinking
processes,
skills,
and strategies
with
considerable
effectiveness
uses critical/
creative thinking
processes,
skills,
and strategies
with a high
degree of
effectiveness
communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with
limited
effectiveness
communicates
for
different
audiences and
purposes with
some
effectiveness
communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with
considerable
effectiveness
communicates
for different
audiences and
purposes with a
high degree of
effectiveness
makes
connections
between
science,
technology,
society, and the
environment
with limited
effectiveness
makes
connections
between
science,
technology,
society, and the
environment
with
some
effectiveness
makes
connections
between
science,
technology,
society, and the
environment
with
considerable
effectiveness
makes
connections
between
science,
technology,
society, and the
environment
with
a high degree of
effectiveness
uses critical/
creative thinking
Thinking/Investigation processes,
skills,
and strategies
with limited
effectiveness
Communication
LEVEL 2
60 -69 %