NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CURRICULUM SUPPORT Biology Health and Disease Advice and Guidance for Practitioners [NATIONAL 5] This advice and guidance has been produced to support the profession with the delivery of courses which are either new or which have aspects of significant change within the new national qualifications (NQ) framework. The advice and guidance provides suggestions on approaches to learning and teaching. Practitioners are encouraged to draw on the materials for their own part of their continuing professional development in introducing new national qualifications in ways that match the needs of learners. Practitioners should also refer to the course and unit specifications and support notes which have been issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/34714.html Acknowledgement © Crown copyright 2012. You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. 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This document is also available from our website at www.educationscotland.gov.uk. 2 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 Contents Planning for learning and teaching: health and disease 4 Introduction: Setting the scene in a Scottish context 5 Curriculum for Excellence 9 Skills and learning in demand 11 Building on the broad general education 14 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 3 HEALTH AND DISEASE Planning for learning and teaching skills in health and disease This advice and guidance is intended for use by practitioners. It is non mandatory. It is anticipated that practitioners will be creative and innovative in planning approaches to meeting the needs of learners. This advice and guidance should be used in a reflective and selective manner. Reflective questions for learners are provided to aid practitioners in planning learning and teaching to meet the needs of learners. These questions are intended for practitioners’ use in the identification of big issues, consideration of which underpins the learning and teaching for this context. In many cases, investigative work and inquiry-based practical learning will supplement the learning and teaching described here. This advice and guidance suggests a context for learning and ideas for learning and teaching offering opportunities to prepare learners in the mandatory course key areas for National 5 Biology: Health and Disease. These key areas are as follows: Response to infection including phagocytes, lymphocytes and antibodie s. The effect of life-style choices, environment and heredity on health. By inclusion of appropriate investigative work and skills for learning, life and work, the health and disease context could also offer opportunities to undertake learning associated with: mandatory course key area ‘Health’ for the Added Value Unit of National 4 Science. mandatory course key areas ‘DNA, genes and chromosomes’, ‘Therapeutic use of cells’, ‘Controversial biological procedures’ and ‘Biological actions and responses to maintain stable body conditions’ for the Added Value Unit of National 4 Biology. 4 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Introduction: Setting the scene in a Scottish context This context provides opportunities for exploring lifestyle choices, environment and heredity in the health of le arners, their friends or family. Issues of lifestyle choice, relevant to this a ge group in Scotland, include alcohol and drug use, diet and exercise, and sexual health. The learning within the topic also provides a context in which to explore our nation’s health, e.g. disease prevalence in Scotland, the effect of vaccination programmes and antibiotic use on population health and scientific developments within Scotland associated with health. The Scots and Scotland have a long history of contributing towards cutting edge improvement in health, including Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, Elsie Inglis’ improvement of maternity facilities and healthcare for women in Scotland and Joseph Lister’s pioneering use of antiseptics to reduce post-operative death due to infection. Scotland continues to be a world leader in research relating to health and disease , including University of Glasgow work on using specialised pieces of DNA to indicate the lifespan of individuals. Such work provides a rich context for exploring the ethics of medical, scientific and technological developments in r elation to health, and is clearly connected to this topic of work on heredity and environmental factors affecting health. The Annual Report (2009) of the Chief Medical Officer , Health in Scotland 2009 Time for Change, identifies in Chapter 6 significant trends in the incidence of the communicable diseases of public health importance in 2009 : During 2009, 2,013 new cases of hepatitis C antibody -positivity were diagnosed. This figure compares with 1553 and 1725 for 2007 and 2008, respectively. Of the 2009 cases, 47% (939) are known to have injected drugs, representing 90% of those with a known risk factor. At the time of diagnosis, 25% (510) were aged 20–29 years, 37% (749) were aged 30–39 years, 25% (498) were aged 40–49 years, 8% (163) were aged 50–59 years and 3% (60) were aged over 60 years. This brings the total to 27,355 cases of hepatitis C antibody-positivity ever diagnosed as at 31 December 2009, of whom 14% are known to have died. Approximately one in 220 of Scotland’s population had been diagnosed hepatitis C antibody -positive. It ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 5 HEALTH AND DISEASE is estimated that the number of undiagnosed hepatitis C antibody -positive cases in Scotland still exceeds the number of diagnosed cases. In 2009, NHS Scotland laboratories reported positive HIV -antibody test results for 417 individuals not previously recorded as HIV -positive. Of the 417 recently reported HIV-positive individuals, 291 (70%) are male, and 286 (69%) are aged between 25 and 44 years. The probable route of transmission was men who have sex with men (MSM) in 137 cases (including a small number who were also injecting drug users), heterosexual intercourse in 196 cases, and injecting drug use in 15 cases. Of the heterosexual cases, 109 probably acquired their infection abroad. For 60 cases, the transmission category is, as yet, undetermined. The cumulative total of known HIV-positive individuals in Scotland is now 6247, of whom 4521 (72%) are male and 1726 (28%) are female; 2445 (39%) of the 6247 total reports are presumed to have acquired their infection outwith Scotland. At least 26% are known to have died. Conclusion Infectious diseases still pose a considerable threat with significant numbers of people having to attend their GP or bein g admitted to hospital as an emergency. 2009 has seen welcome reductions in levels of infection especially healthcare associated infections and vaccine preventable diseases. The number of new cases of tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis C and campylobacter infection demonstrates the continuing need for action on the underlying reasons as to why people are falling ill with these conditions and on the prevention of onward transmission of infection from them. This report also provides interesting data and background regarding Scotland’s health in comparison with other countries, and inequalities in Scotland’s health: Chapter 1 being titled ‘Trends in life expectancy and the continuing widening of health inequalities’. This presents the opportunity to explore with learners factors affecting health and which factors are specific to Scotland and to different geographical regions of Scotland. This could be an exploration of the data supporting development of numeracy, drawing conclusions from data and extrapolating data to predict trends. Alternatively, it could develop learners’ scientific literacy in understanding the connection between public health policy and impact on health by exploration of t he issues raised in the report, for example: Albert Einstein is said to have defined insanity as ‘Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results ’. Herculean efforts to improve health and expenditure of significant resources ha ve, over the past decades, produced steady improvements in health which ha ve been 6 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE undermined by our failure to accelerate the health status of those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum. If we are to produce such an acceleration, perhaps we need to consider the methods we have been using to improve health. Perhaps it is time for a change. Source: Health in Scotland 2009 Time for Change, Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer, Chapter 1 The key messages from the 2010 NHS report Scotland’s Sexual Health Information identify the relevance of the opportunities to explore the connection between lifestyle choices and health. Diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among heterosexual men and women continue to increase; young people, aged under 25, are the group most at risk of being infected with an STI. Just under half (48%) of all chlamydia testing performed in 2009 was undertaken on those aged under 25: this proportion has not changed over the last 5 years. Most HIV infection in Scotland is sexually acquired and there are indications of undiagnosed cases of infection in the community. Further testing is required to reduce the levels of undiagnosed infection and get people into treatment and care as early as p ossible. The sexual health of men who have sex with men (MSM) continues to be of concern as there is evidence from both infection and behavioural survey data of continuing high-risk behaviour: the elevated risk of HIV transmission remains. Increased opportunities for behavioural interventions to promote safer sex are key to ensuring improved sexual health among MSM. Teenage pregnancy rates have remained stable (but higher than in most other Western European countries) during the past decade. There continu es to be a strong association between deprivation and high rates of teenage pregnancy. The availability of good sex and relationships education (SRE) and the empowerment of young women to make informed choices about their future continue to be of importance. High rates of STIs, teenage pregnancies and abortions indicate that young people continue to take risks, including the inconsistent use of contraception – unprotected sexual intercourse remains a problem. Effecting behavioural change among this age gro up remains crucial in ensuring their sexual health and wellbeing. Scotland is also leading the world’s research in stem cell technology. The following information from the Scottish Stem Cell Network (SSCN) illustrates the global impact of Scotland’s work in this area: ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 7 HEALTH AND DISEASE 1st in the world for stem cell research based on citation impact 2007 (Source: ScienceWatch) 4th in the world for clinical medicine papers and 1st within the G8 based on citation impact 2009 (Source: Evidence Ltd.) 4th in the world for clinical medicine research based on citation impact 2009 (Source: ScienceWatch) (RAE = UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008, Citation impact is regarded as the most widely accepted index of research quality, measured as the number of citations per paper. Analysis performed by Edinburgh Science Triangle) This health and disease context offers opportunities to explore factors that affect world health, including ethical considerati ons associated with the availability of effective drug therapies in countries affected by poverty. A historic meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) on 3 February 2012 laid out a roadmap to unite public and private partners in bringing to an end the devastation caused by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This includes targets for eradication of a number o f NTDs in identified areas by 2015, and a further set of targets for 2020. In an age of vaccines and antibiotics, wonder drugs and breakthrough therapies, it is easy to assume that humans can, and will, develop a cure for anything… The hard truth is that even in our era of vaccines and new drugs, millions of people around the world continue to suffer and die from infections like malaria that are largely forgotten by those living in the richest nations. Disease of Poverty: Neglected Tropical Infections in Sub -Saharan Africa. Developing an understanding of what is meant by an NTD, the populations affected by NTDs and the impacts of these brings to this area a global perspective, with an understanding of the factors affecting global health and drug availability. Scotland’s role is crucial, with the University of Dundee’s Drug Discovery Unit at http://www.drugdiscovery.dundee.ac.uk/ and the University of Glasgow at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/researchfeatures/headline_219878_en.html working on innovative drugs with clear pathways for reaching patients among the world’s poorest communities. 8 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Curriculum for Excellence Curriculum for Excellence supports the development of relevant careers skills in many ways: The driving force behind Curriculum for Excellence is that it is a curriculum for learning, life and work, and it should fully equip learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive and succeed in the increasingly globalised world of the 21st century. The development of skills within learners is at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence in recognition of the fact that in a fast-changing world, skills will allow learners to adapt to changing circumstances and are the key to success. These include the entire spectrum of skills from leadership to interpersonal skills to career management skills. Building the Curriculum 4 gives further information about the importance of skills within Curriculum for Excellence and how they have been embedded within the experiences and outcomes for all learners, from which the skills within the learning for National 5 should progress. The Skills for Learning, Skills for Life and Skills for Work Framework will also aid your planning to meet the needs of learners. Interdisciplinary learning is a key aspect of Curriculum for Excellence and is an exciting way for schools to develop rich learning experiences that build upon the strengths and expertise within different disciplines. T opics such as health and wellbeing can be used as complex themes for interdisciplinary learning or taught within the science context to link with wider learning. These also offer excellent vehicles for learners to develop higher-order thinking skills and prepare learners for the life of work , where interdisciplinary approaches to complex tasks are often the norm. Curriculum for Excellence encourages approaches to learning that are motivational, fun, relevant, challenging and, importantly, develop ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 9 HEALTH AND DISEASE the skills of learners. Such approaches to learning include co -operative, active, collaborative and outdoor learning. There are many ways in which this learning journey can develop, and you will know best how to plan learning and teaching that meets the needs of your learners. By planning opportunities for skills development in context you may find that the learners’ interests, strengths, prior learning and locality, as well as local, national and global events, lend the mselves to progressing learning in different ways from the suggestions within this advice and guidance. Ideas for learning and teaching can be adapted to allow development and application of skills for learning, life and work, or to incorporate ICT and take account of a range of learners’ needs. Glow provides an opportunity for learners to work together across geographical areas. 10 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Skills and learning in demand Scotland’s life sciences strategy is ‘endorsed by industry, academia, NHS clinicians and government’. (http://www.lifesciencesscotland.com/media/14389/life -sciences-soctlandreview-2010.pdf) The life sciences sector employs over 3200 people in Scotland in over 630 organisations and 17,000 life sciences research staff across 57 universities and research institutes. Developments such as BioCity Scotland, a new cluster for life sciences creating the UK’s larges t bioscience business incubator, at a site in Lanarkshire, have attracted international investment. Medical technologies also feature strongly in the profile of Scotland’s economic future. In the past decade, Scotland’s medtech companie s have launched: a mesh that improves the outcome of surgery for female pelvic health problems – Mpathy Medical (now Coloplast) the first scanning laser ophthalmoscope to provide enhanced clinical information to detect diseases of the retina – Optos a hand-held light-based device for checking breast health – PWB Health the world’s first commercially available multiarticulated prosthetic hand – Touch Bionics a portable unit to treat non-melanoma skin cancer using photodynamic therapy – Ambicare a video-enabled laryngoscope to facilitate intubations – Aircraft Medical. Medical Technology in Scotland Make it your Greatest Discovery Current health and medical research taking place in Scotland includes health protection and improvement at Glasgow Caledonian University developing methods for preventing type 1 diabetes at the University of Dundee computer-aided detection in the UK NHS breast cancer screening programme at the University of Aberdeen research into heart disease at the University of Glasgow ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 11 HEALTH AND DISEASE infection control, mental health and wellbeing, and evaluation of the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns in primary and secondary school s at Abertay University. Health and health-related employers offer a range of career opportunities in a wide variety of areas, some of which may not be immediately obvious, for example: treatment and care, e.g. nurses, therapists, healthcare assistants trades, skilled and support services, e.g. fire and safety staff, chaplains, caterers, gardeners management and administrative, eg accountants, clerks, medical records staff, stores supervisors scientific and technical, e.g. clinical scientists, medical technologists, technicians information and ICT, e.g. analysis, audio-visual technicians, librarians. Ideas for learning and teaching This is an opportunity for learners to understand how their skills and interests might be appropriate for pursuing a career relating to health and disease. Exploring career opportunities may help the learner understand how a knowledge of the sector, and of some of the underpinning science, may open up opportunities in, for example, IT or business management in the NHS, or as a laboratory technician in a biomedical research company. Use the case studies available on the NHS Scotland website, eg: Business Manager Medical Photographer IT Trainer Management Trainee Paramedic Skills Development Scotland’s My World of Work has video case studies of a range of health-related occupations, e.g. apprentice lab technician, oral health improvement specialist, which give learners an opportunity to hear from people working in health. As you review the videos, consider how you might familiarise yourself with routes into health -related careers for your learners and how you can help learners build on their skills to access the range of careers on offer in this sector. Skills for Health has a range of advice and guidance, including online tools, to help learners identify routes into careers in the health sector, including work-based, vocational and graduate routes. Consider how this might be built into your learning and teaching as a motivational tool for 12 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE learners to understand the transferable nature of skills developed through learning in this context. Having discussed potential career opportunities and learners’ interests, the STEM Ambassador scheme can arrange for industry, employer and higher education representatives to visit the school. Learners may benefit from the chance to talk to them about career opportunities. Alternatively, as the learning progresses, an industry or higher education ambassador could visit to share specialist expertise with the learners. STEM Ambassadors can also help you plan learning and teaching that reflects the cutting edge research and development taking place in Scotland and globally . Reflective questions for learners Before this section of work, consider what you already know about opportunities in the health sector. You could record this using a ‘graffiti’ task. After watching a selection of videos, repeat this exercise. Has your view of the job opportunities associated with the sector changed? Which skills that you use in learning in biology do you think you would like to develop further and continue to use at the next level of learning, training or employment? Watch the video Scientific Research Skills – Basic Skills for Biology. Consider the extent to which your approach in Biology matches that described by the research team leader from the University of Edinburgh in the clip. It may be worth revisiting this clip before you undertake investigative work through the year. Do the skills described have any value in other areas of your learning , e.g. in other sciences, in other curriculum areas? Having watched the videos, how do you think the careers and opportunities described link to learning in this topic? You might consider this again as you progress your learning in this topic. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 13 HEALTH AND DISEASE Building on the broad general education The following extracts from Concept Development in the Sciences describe the learning journey from which the learning in this context progresses. At second level (SCN 2-13a), through practical activities carried out in a safe environment, learners can explore examples of microorganisms that are beneficial and harmful, e.g. the use of yeast in bread making and the importance of bacteria and fungus in the breakdown of waste in compost columns. This can be further developed at third level ( SCN 3-13b) to include practical activities to safely test for the presence of microorganisms in the local environment. The effects on growth of microorganisms of a variety of factors, such as temperature and disinfectants, can also be investigated. This leads on to the exploration of the use of microorganisms and enzymes in industry at fourth level ( SCN 413b). At fourth level (SCN 4-13a and 4-13c), learners can develop an informed view on issues associated with, for example, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), pre-implantation genetic screening, transferring living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another (xenotransplantation), gene therapy, GM technology and stem cell therapy, considering why such pr ocedures may be seen to be controversial and exploring people’s opinions and concerns. and At third level (SCN 3-12a), they further extend their knowledge of the structure and functions of main organs and systems of the body, e.g. the exchange of gases in the circulatory system. Within the study of the digestive system, for example, the function of enzymes can be explored. In SCN 3-12b, learners explore ways in which technology can be used to monitor health, e.g. blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or screening for conditions such as diabetes or cancers. They can explore the implications of DNA analysis which could reveal information about predisposition to particular conditions. They can consider how the information might be used to give indications of how treatments or lifestyle changes might help to improve the future quality of life. 14 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE At fourth level (SCN 4-12a and SCN 4-12b), the principle of homeostasis can be studied using specific examples relating to, for example, maintaining stable body temperature and regulating blood glucose levels. Learners can consider the physiological mechanisms which maintain conditions within tolerable limits. Ideas for learning and teaching: an introduction to health and disease Ideas for learning and teaching: What is health? - A starting point for the learning could be to explore with learners their understanding of what is meant by ‘health’ or ‘healthy’. This may highlight misconceptions or identify topics of interest to the learners for further work. - The question ‘What is health?’ could be posed in a number of ways, e.g. using a Glow discussion forum or with other learners as a graffiti or placemat task. - Alternatively, the WHO definition of health could be used as a starter for discussion. Reflective questions for learners The WHO defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity ’ (1948). - What does health mean to you as an individual? Do you consider yourself healthy? - What do you consider ‘unhealthy’? Is there a connection between illness, disease and health? Comment on the WHO definition of health. - Is your state as ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ defined by external definitions or how you feel as an individual? Is it measureable? Is the definition fixed for all or does it depend on who you are and your circumstances? - Review the diagram ‘Factors Determining the Health of Populations’ in the BMA (2011) report The Psychological and Social Needs of Patients and consider again your responses to these questions. Ideas for learning and teaching: What is disease? - Linking to the question of ‘What is health?’ the discussion can be progressed to explore what is meant by disease and gather learners ’ knowledge of diseases affecting the human population. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 15 HEALTH AND DISEASE - A simple way of recording this as a starting point is to use a ‘wordle’. A ‘wordle’ displays the most frequently used word in larger font, giving an easy visual record of the start point for the learning. - A walk about, talk about activity could be used to identify possible causes of disease and risk factors, and provide a basis to develop learners’ understanding that diseases are not always infectious and that development of disease is often as a result of more than one factor. - The UK Clinical Research Collaboration’s Centre of the Cell Risk Factors of Disease provides some useful ideas for developing learners’ numeracy skills through the context of risk factors of disease. This provides a data set that can be used to identify risk factors and consider issues such as validity in relation to sample size and the statistical significance of relationships. This work could also be used to develop learners’ understanding of scientific methodology. - Learners could consider trends in diseases in Scotland, the UK and elsewhere in the world. Is there commonality? Are there differences? They may also consider trends in diseases in Scotl and over the past 100 years, identifying reasons for any changes. This gives the opportunity for examining the quality of data sources and using data to draw conclusions. - The table below indicates some diseases that might be discussed; such a table could be arrived at through a card sort exercise, placemat activity or other structured discussion. 16 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Lifestyle Sexually transmitted diseases HIV, herpes, gonorrhoea etc – promiscuity – lack of appropriate prophylactic Diabetes (type 2) – obesity; poor diet and lack of exercise Cancers – lung: smoking – cervical: HPV infection – skin: over exposure to UV light Arthritis (osteoarthritis) – weak bones; diet lacking calcium – old age; natural wear and tare Scurvy – lack of vitamin C in diet Rickets – lack of vitamin D in diet Athlete’s foot – sports and personal hygiene Heart disease – diet and lack of exercise Environment Cancers – lung: secondary smoke Heredity Diabetes (type 1) Autoimmune diseases MRSA, VRSA, VRE (superbugs) – overuse of antibiotics – hospital cleanliness Cancers Heart disease Water-borne diseases (cholera) – poor sanitation – natural disasters – old problem? third world? Neglected tropical diseases (eg malaria, dengue) – developing nations – biting insects – lack of money for medicines – lack of access to most effective medical treatments Plague – poor sanitation – cramped conditions Bird flu – working conditions – living conditions – flight travel Autoimmune diseases – environment interacting with genes ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 17 HEALTH AND DISEASE Individual research and sharing this through peer teaching and peer assessment can be used to build a basis for learners’ understanding of the multiple risk factors associated with disease. Some ideas for diseases with starter information are given below. Disease Alzheimer’s Avian flu Cancer Chagas disease Chicken pox Cholera Crohns Dengue fever Diabetes (type 1) Diabetes (type 2) 18 Weblinks http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm http://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/ avianflu/ http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027431.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027430.htm http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/ http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.html http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/diseases/diseases 6.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1 http://www.cdc.gov/ibd/ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Viral-diseases/WTDV027437.htm http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/ http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 Lifestyle Environment Heredity HEALTH AND DISEASE Disease Flu Genital herpes Gonorrhoea HIV Huntington’s Intestinal worms Leishmaniasis Lyme disease Lymphatic filiarisis Weblinks http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/cellular microscopic/flu.htm http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/diseases/diseases 2.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1 http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/default.htm http://www.cdc.gov/std/Gonorrhea/ http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/hiv/facts/en/index.html http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/diseases/diseases 3.cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1 http://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/ aids/ http://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/Huntingtonsdisease.aspx http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Worms/WTDV027432.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027429.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027428.htm http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Worms/WTDV027434.htm http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lymphaticfilariasis/ Lifestyle Environment ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 Heredity 19 HEALTH AND DISEASE Disease Malaria Measles Motor neurone MRSA Multiple sclerosis Mumps Plague Rheumatoid arthritis Schistosomiasis Swine flu 20 Weblinks http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV026686.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV026683.htm http://malaria.wellcome.ac.uk/node40029.html http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/ http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/diseases/diseases8 .cfm?coSiteNavigation_allTopic=1 http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/ http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/index.htm http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Worms/WTDV027433.htm http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/ http://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/ swineflu/ http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/ ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 Lifestyle Environment Heredity HEALTH AND DISEASE Disease Weblinks Lifestyle Syphilis http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Bacterial-diseases/WTDV027435.htm http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/default.htm Thrush Trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) Tuberculosis Typhoid http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027427.htm http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Protozoans/WTDV027426.htm http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/ http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-andeducation/Animations/Bacterial-diseases/WTDV026681.htm http://www.cdc.gov/tb/ http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/typhoid_f ever/ Environment ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 Heredity 21 HEALTH AND DISEASE Questions for learners - What is the cause(s) of the disease? Is it possible to link it to lifestyle choices, environmental factors or heredity, or is there more than one risk factor associated with this disease? Consider your learning about using data to draw conclusions in your research. - Where in the world is the disease most common? What group(s) of people does the disease typically affect? - What are the symptoms of the disease and how does the disease affec t the body? - Is the disease infectious? How is it transmitted? What can be done to prevent transmission or development of the disease? - What treatment is available? Does everyone who requires treatment have access to it? What prevents treatment? - Are there any well-known cases associated with the disease, e.g. epidemics or pandemics? Ideas for learning and teaching: infectious disease Depending on the focus of the learning and teaching and the learners’ prior knowledge, it may be appropriate to explore causes of infectious disease: pathogens. The following may support a recap on prior learning or act as a basis for further work: What are Bacteria? Diversity of Life: Bacteria What are Viruses? Diseases: Viruses What are Fungi? What are Protozoa? Diversity of Life: Protozoa Straightforward activities like card sort and classification exercises will allow practitioners to check for basic knowledge, e.g. 22 Infectious Non-infectious Flu Alzheimer’s Cold Motor neurone Plague Multiple sclerosis Malaria Diabetes ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Gonorrhoea Cancer HIV Rheumatoid arthritis Thrush Cardiovascular disease Athletes foot Huntington’s disease Cholera Crohn’s disease Typhoid Osteoporosis Food poisoning Celiac disease Herpes Chlamydia Chicken pox Measles Mumps Polio Tetanus MRSA Dysentery Meningitis Disease Bacteria MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Gonorrhoea Neisseria gonorrhoea Tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis Plague Yersinia pestis Anthrax Bacillus anthracis Cholera Vibrio cholerea Food poisoning Escherichia coli Dysentery Shigella species Disease Fungi Thrush Candida albicans ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 23 HEALTH AND DISEASE Athlete’s foot Trychophyton species Disease Protozoa Malaria Plasmodium species Chagas disease Trypanosoma cruzi Leishmaniasis Leishmania species African sleeping sickness Trypanosoma brucei Disease Virus HIV Human immunodeficiency virus Flu Influenza virus Chicken pox Varicella zoster virus Cold Rhinovirus Cold sores Herpes simplex virus type I Genital warts Human papilloma virus Genital herpes Herpes simplex virus type II Ideas for learning and teaching: defending against infection Having established understanding of disease and pathogens, it may be appropriate to explore the body’s defences against infection, its responses to infection and the use of antibiotics. A summary with video footage can be found on BBC Bitesize. This introduces the working of some common antibiotics. 24 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Ideas for learning and teaching: researching detection of disease This Education Scotland video clip introduces Dr Jennifer Dougan, a postdoctoral research associate from the University of Strathclyde, talking about the importance of strong planning skills in her work, related to health and disease. Ideas for learning and teaching: heredity and genetic screening This idea has been summarised from the Science Museum’s ‘Do you want to know a secret?’ The full resource can be downloaded from the Science Museum. The intention is to develop learners’ understand ing of the potential effects for human health and consequences for society of scientific advances. - A start point may be to introduce learners to the idea of genetic screening. There are a number of video clips that may be of use for this and for background information: NHS Huntington’s Disease: ‘An expert explains the effects of Huntington’s disease and Lee, 39, talks about his life with Huntington’s and the importance of getting tested if you have a family history of it. ’ NHS genetic tests: ‘There are many reasons why people decide to have genetic tests. A geneticist explains what genetic testing involves, the reasons for having or not having it, and how to deal with a positive test result.’ Genetic tests: Barbara’s story: ‘Barbara, three of her sisters and her grandmother were diagnosed with cancer. She and other family members decided to have a genetic test. Find out why they decided to be tested, how they found out where to get tests, what ea ch test involved and what the test results meant for the family.’ BBC News: Genetic mapping for patients: ‘A clinic in Harley Street is offering patients a genetic test to see if they risk developing a serious illness in the future.’ - Provide individuals, pairs or groups with a sealed box, a template for which is available on the Science Museum website. The box represents their unknown genetic code, and each contains a chance card with a statement ideas for which might be: - punishment exercise - extra homework - no talking permitted for remainder of lesson - no homework this week - a merit/house point - a reward from the prize tin ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 25 HEALTH AND DISEASE - - - - - - a positive and a negative, which is decided on the flip of a coin. Explain that genetic screening can identify the presence, or absence, of genes that are linked to heredity diseases. Learners should be made aware that these tests are not conclusive; often the presence of a single allele does not make the development of a disease certain (although there are exceptions to the rule, e.g. Huntington’s). Learners would then vote on whether or not they would open their box, agreeing to accept whatever consequence is inside the box. Ultimately this should reflect their own decision as to whether they would consent to genetic screening. Learners could physically stand somewhere along the scale or add their name via a post-it to a scale on the wall. Returning to the group, learners could discuss the reasons behind their decision. A numbered heads approach could be used to allow all equal opportunity to input. In light of the discussion give learners another opportunity to decide whether to open their box or not; remind them that consequences must be adhered to. Give learners who opened the box the opportunity to discuss how they feel about what they find inside the box, and those who did not the opportunity to say how they feel. Relieved? Disappointed? Curious? The Science Museum’s teachers’ guide provides more detailed information about using this task to understand the scientific and ethical issues involved in genetic testing, critically evaluate arguments for and against genetic testing, provide learners with the opportunity to express informed opinions on scientific issues and provides a scientific background for practitioners. Reflective questions for learners (taken from the Science Museum’s Background document for this task) What are the potential impacts of having a test? Who else might be affected by your decision to have a genetic test? Your siblings? Your own children or parents? Who should have access to your test results? Only you? Your doctor? Your school? Your employer? Should everyone be tested for genetic conditions? Do you think you could cope with the results? Should parents and carers be allowed to have children tested? How would a positive genetic test for a condition, e.g. breast cancer, affect your day-to-day life? Consider those who have taken action in response to genetic testing, e.g. Breast Cancer in Families, Preventative Mastectomy, Risk Reducing Breast Cancer at: http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/breastawareness/am-i-risk/breast-cancer-families, . 26 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Applications of genetic screening - The Teach Genetics activity ‘Genetic screening of newborn infants: what should we test and why?’ may provide a start point for structured research and discussion around genetic screening. - The Wellcome Trust resource ‘Big Picture: Genes, Genomes and Health’ (page 13) provides the basis for work around the controversial area of ‘saviour siblings’. The idea of saviour siblings could be introduced using the video ‘What is a Saviour Sibling, and What is Your View on Using IVF to make them?’ or an extract from the film ‘My Sister’s Keeper’. - Learning and teaching around genetic screening offers a rich context for a formal debating. The Debating Matters Motions ‘Genetic screening of embryos should be celebrated, not feared’ and ‘Attempts to extend radically the human lifespan should be welcomed, not feared’ may provide a starting point that can be adapted for use with your learners. Reflective questions for learners How would you feel if you were a saviour sibling? How would you feel if a saviour sibling saved your life? Is there a risk that genetic screening could produce a society intolerant to difference? Justify your response. If you had an ill child would you consider conceiving a saviour sibling? If you had a history of family illness would you want to be screened? If you had a history of family illness would you have your unborn child screened? Would you terminate a pregnancy if the foetus tested positive for a hereditary condition? Could genetic screening result in the production of designer babies? Discuss this considering your learning in the topic of the scientific advances at this time. Could genetic screening reduce variation in the human population? Can parallels be drawn between the use of genetic screening and the ideology of, for example, Nazism around racial purity? How far could genetic screening go? Watch a clip from the movie ‘Gattaca’ in which the norm is designer babies; at birth the likelihood of certain illnesses and the approximate age of death is determined and consider the questions from Biotechnology Online: A Perfect World. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 27 HEALTH AND DISEASE Ideas for learning and teaching: lifestyle choices and health A start point for this learning and teaching could be to recap prior learning from the broad general education by marking on a cut out or IWB body places where pathogens might enter the body, and discuss the body’s protective response. The suggested activity ‘How can disease spread’ highlights how quickly disease can spread through a population. Here, it is linked to lifestyle choices by contextualising it around the transmission of STIs and the use of barrier methods to prevent the spread of STIs. T his work can also be used to emphasise the real-life relevance of careful note-taking in the laboratory setting. - The experiments could be repeated with more or fewer interactions between learners to allow learners to relate the test results to the number of interactions. Data gathered could be used in graphing, e.g. number of interactions against the total number of individuals in the group infected. - This provides opportunities to discuss the effect of lifestyle choices on health and wellbeing, eg NHS: Sex myth buster NHS: HIV: the facts NHS: An expert explains how HIV is passed on, who is at risk of getting it, and how it affects the immune system - The Science Olympiad ‘Exploring: Influenza Episode 313 Immortality’ places this activity in the context of the spread of influenza. The Debating Matters motion, ‘Patients are entitled to health care whatever their lifestyle choices’, may be useful background reading for learners, providing reflective questions and associated information to inform learners’ thinking. Once learners have understood the spread of disease, an appropria te direction for learning and teaching may be to explore epidemics, pandemics or emerging diseases. Learners could consider the definition of epidemic and pandemic, both having been used in the media in relation to , for example, swine flu in 2009. There is scope for understanding the cause of pandemics, often caused by new strains of a pathogen. The British Red Cross swine flu resource could form a basis for exploration of the associated science, whilst developing learners’ scientific literacy. One aspect of choice around the spread of disease, for some populations, is access to vaccination. 28 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Use this spoof front page regarding Jenner’s vaccination experiment as a starter to explore issues relating to vaccination programmes available in Scotland and how vaccines work. Reflective questions for learners How has vaccination availability changed over the last 50 years in Scotland? What effect has vaccination had on public health? Compare and contrast a vaccination programme in Scotland or the UK, e.g. HPV vaccination, with that in another country. This short video about the attempts to eradicate polio from India may provide ideas; India celebrated its first polio -free year on 13 January 2012. What are the social and socioeconomic impacts of a successful vaccination programme? Why might people choose not to be vaccinated or not to have their children vaccinated? When considering reasons, establish whether there is a scientific evidence-based justification to support their reasoning. Ideas for learning and teaching: environment and health As the learning in this topic progresses, learners develop understanding to recognise the difficulty of isolating the role of environmental factors, lifestyle choices and heredity on health. Learners may also link the learning to understanding from other curriculum areas ( e.g. if exploring Spanish influenza, trench warfare, changes in housing over time, conditions for mosquito spread disease). As a starter, if appropriate, learners could use their own and their family/carers’ health history to gather information as a indicator of tre nds in common infectious diseases over the last 30–40 years. Reflective questions for learners Research data from a reputable source, regarding one o r more of the infectious diseases identified in the table. Do the trends within Scotland/UK mirror the trends within your learning group? Consider any differences, eg does your snapshot include a sufficient number of individuals for reliability? Does it use a sufficiently long timescale? Is your data-gathering method reliable? Consider possible reasons for changes in trends in common infectious diseases over time. Find evidence which establishes whether or not your thinking is confirmed. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 29 HEALTH AND DISEASE The Wellcome Trust Kit Science Debate Kit: Are we too clean? examines one aspect of human health associated with environment. Having considered environmental factors that may affect trends in disease in Scotland or the UK, eg improvements in sanitation, vaccination programmes, health education, use of antibiotics or air travel, learners could consider environmental factors affecting world health. In an age of vaccines and antibiotics, wonder drugs and breakthrough therapies, it is easy to assume that humans can, and will, develop a cure for anything… The hard truth is that even in our era of vaccines and new drugs, millions of people around the world continue to suffer and die from infections like malaria that are largely forgotten by those living in th e richest nations. Disease of Poverty: Neglected Tropical Infections in Sub -Saharan Africa. This section would offer the opportunity for learners to engage with a journal paper, Disease of Poverty: Neglected Tropical Infections in Sub -Saharan Africa, and consider issues such as its purpose and language. Accessing this paper may require a supported approach to reading for informa tion and understanding, including identifying unfamiliar words and discussing, using other sources for clarification; within a group, reading short sections and summarising key points for other learners. This approach would work equally well in face-to-face situations or using an online tool, e.g. Glow meet or a discussion forum in Glow. The reflective questions for learners will require further exploration of other sources, and learners should satisfy themselves of the quality of the information and the reliability of sources. The issue of neglected tropical diseases is a complex one associated with, among other things, funding of research and development by drug companies who need to remain profitable. Outcomes from this work could take a range of formats . A learner may make a written case to the government for increased funding for neglected tropical diseases. This should include estimates of costing and which models can work to fight against neglected tropical diseases. It will clearly be a complex and challenging piece of work for the learner to demonstrate developed understanding of the issues and a strong evidence -based case. However, the task could be accessed in different ways, with other learners completing group tasks, presenting a case through different formats, examining only one aspect of this complex area or participation in discussion and research without production of an end product. 30 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Reflective questions for learners What is meant by ‘neglected diseases’ and why are they given this name? How many people are affected by neglected diseases? What are the causes and effects of neglected diseases? Can neglected diseases be prevented? If so, how? Which environmental factors are associated with areas where neglected diseases are endemic? Are effective medicines available to treat neglected diseases? What are the main reasons behind the persistent prevalence of neglected diseases? ‘In 1967 U.S. Surgeon General William H. Stewart declared it was finally “time to close the book on infectious disease ” because the vast majority can be easily prevented and treated with simple, existing interventions.’ To what extent is the statement true with respect to the treatment and prevention of disease in 2012? Ideas for learning and teaching: STEM cells Within the work of the Scottish STEM Cell Network (SSCN) are a number of ‘areas of ongoing research aimed at developing effectiv e treatments for a variey of illnesses and diseases’, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The ideas for learning and teaching suggested in conjunction with this advice and guidance can be supported by the information available from the SSCN and from the International Society for Stem Cell Research. In addition, a number of Education Scotland resources associated with stem cells could be used to support this learning and teaching. Stem cells can also be explored in a different context: the recent news of the ability to culture artificial meat in the laboratory from stem cells provides a strong link between health issues around the consumption of red meat, healthy diet choices and food security. Reflective questions for learners Based on your understanding of stem cell research, would you choose to participate in a stem cell trial in the event that you were diagnosed with a condition such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes? What about to minimise rejection of a donor organ that you desperately needed? Share your thoughts with others or record them in your notebook. Come back and consider this question again once you have researched the science of stem cells. Would you eat a ‘test-tube burger’? Justify your response. Again, this question could be revisited following more in -depth exploration and learning around the underpinning science. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 31 HEALTH AND DISEASE The Research Councils UK publication Stem Cell Science Hope not Hype gives a useful summary of the background to stem cells in straightforward language. ABPI Schools Stem Cell Research resource provides a range of useful information and ideas around which you can plan lea rning and teaching appropriate to your learners. A start point for this learning could be to recap knowledge of cells. This could be done, for example, by drawing a Venn diagram on a whiteboard to compare skin cells and red blood cells. Learners should be encouraged to consider basic cell structure with the intention of identif ying the key difference of a lack of nucleus in the red blood cell. Questions for learners How does your body replace the skin you damage when you fall and graze your knee? (mitosis) If you are a blood donor, how does your body replace your blood cells after donation? (from stem cells) Learners could explore to identify the tissues able to produce stem cells , e.g. blood, bone marrow, umbilical cord, zygote, brain, intestine, retina, blood, spinal cord, brain, muscle, embryo. All of the identified tissues are able to produce stem cells. There are two types of stem cell: embryonic and adult. The following information is quote d from the Research Councils UK publication Hope not Hype: Embryonic stem cells are taken from embryos about five days after fertilisation, when the embryos are balls of around 50 –100 cells. This type of stem cell is currently the most useful in research because it can give rise to any cell type in the body. The most common source of these cells is from embryos left over after a woman has had IVF treatment. These can be used only if the couple have given their consent. Adult stem cells are found in many parts of the body such as the bone marrow, the eye, brain and muscle. Unlike embryonic stem cells they can naturally only give rise to a limited number of specialised cells. Researchers are exploring how adult stem cells can be reprogrammed to produce more cell types. The Education Scotland animation Stem cell development may be useful at this point in the learning journey. A short Education Scotland video Stem Cell Research looks at the innovative stem cells research being done at Roslin 32 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE Cells, describing the basics of stem cell research and how it is carried out. In addition, the Introduction to Stem Cells PowerPoint may be of use. EuroStemCell: A Stem Cell Story is a 15-minute film introducing stems cells from which learners could note down the human conditions that may benefit from stem cell research and development. (If you do not have Flash Player this film can also be accessed via YouTube.) An understanding of the stem cell issues should be underpinned by learning about the process of how embryonic stem cells are pro duced. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Lecture 1 Understanding Embryonic Stem Cells contains a useful animation of human embryonic development (section 7). This process could be recapped using the embryo stem cell pictures – statements order activity. This could be used by cutting out, match ing the titles, statements and pictures and organising them into the correct order for embryo development. Alternatively this could be done using ICT e.gg on an interactive white board. It may be appropriate to the needs of learners to include or remove the ‘when?’ information. The matched information is shown below in the correct order: Fertilisation: A male sperm and female egg fuse to form a zygote (fertilised egg). The zygote can produce all the cell types needed to make a complete human. When? 0–24 hours Cleavage: The zygote starts dividing (cleaving) into identical cel ls as it passes down the oviduct towards the uterus. By the time it gets there, the process has repeated sufficiently to form a ball of around 100 cells. When? 1–4 days Blastocyst formation: The ball of cells begins to specialise, forming an outer layer of cells with a cluster of cells inside (inner cell mass), which can form most cell types of the human body. When? 3–8 days ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 33 HEALTH AND DISEASE Gastrulation: The cells in the inner cell mass move to form three layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The ectoderm forms the skin, brain and nervous system; the mesoderm forms muscle and the skeletal and circulatory systems; and the endoderm forms the gut lining and many of the internal organs. When? Week 3 Organogenesis: The formation of body organs. The embryo is called a foetus at 8 weeks, by which time the structures that will give rise to all the major organs are present. When? Week 3–8 The EdHeads Stem Cell Heart Repair activity allows learners to actively participate in a simulation of a stem cell clinical trial designed to improve treatment of heart failure sufferers. Ideally this should be an individual activity, depending on access to computers and headphones. However, it could be used on an interactive whiteboard or by learners on an individual basis whilst undertaking other work, if computer access is limited. For the second section, there is also a worksheet to print out to accompany the learning and teaching. In considering views on stem cell research, it may be useful to set the timescales in context. Reflective question for learners Read the Time magazine article ‘The Great Debate Over Stem Cell Research’ from July 2001. Identify the concerns raised and explore, either through individual research or discussion based on your learning in this topic, to what extent the fears were justified or have not yet been addressed. Construct a timeline of stem cell headlines along a display board: when did stem cell research first start making headlines in mainstream media? Decide the general feeling of each headline and associated article; use a colour-coded sticky note scheme to identify for, against or neutral. This will provide a visual display of how the media has presented views of stem cell research over the past 10–15 years. Consider another aspect of cutting edge science with , for example, applications in medicine. Research viewpoints in advance of it being widely used or understood, and in retrospect. 34 ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 HEALTH AND DISEASE What is your informed view? Within this learning you have had the opportunity to explore stem cell research. Have you formed a viewpoint? The following statements are included as suggestions for consideration, f or you to reflect on or to discuss and justify in terms of your scientific understanding. Stem cell research can be used: to provide tissue to test cosmetics, including make-up, shampoos and deodorants to identify new treatments for disease rather than us ing animals to reduce waiting times for patients who require replacement organs to repair and replace the damaged tissue of burns patients to improve the understanding of human development to improve understanding of diseases like cancer for plastic surgery, e.g. to produce breast implants that are more ‘natural’ to help improve the memory of patients suffering from diseases like Alzheimers to provide an alternative treatment for hair loss in men to improve the treatment of people suffering from diabetes for plastic surgery, eg for reconstructive surgery for cancer patients who have had a mastectomy to provide an income for women wishing to sell their eggs for stem cells Reflective questions for learners: revisited Based on your understanding of stem cell research, would you choose to participate in a stem cell trial in the event that you were diagnosed with a condition such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes - or if it would minimise rejection of a donor organ that you desperately needed Has your viewpoint changed since the beginning of the learning? Are you more or less certain about your viewpoint now compared with at the beginning of this topic? Would you eat a ‘test-tube burger’? Justify your response. To extend understanding of the ethical issues associated with stem cells, the EuroStemCell film Conversations: ethics, science, stem cells could be used. Learners could be asked to write a policy paper for the Scottish Government on regulation of stem cell research and its uses. Learners should give consideration to the appropriate approach to writing this given th e purpose and audience: language should be formal and in the third person , and recommendations should be evidence based. A short revision quiz is available on Teachers-Direct. ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS (NATIONAL 5, BIOLOGY) © Crown copyright 2012 35