Biology Writing Project
Research/Position Paper
BIOETHICAL DILEMMAS
Molecular biology has undergone a revolution in the last few years. Gene therapy and research, the Human Genome Project,
and prenatal testing techniques have led many members of society to question the ethics surrounding the research and
techniques. Now, more than any other time in history, major ethical and societal issues are being discussed and debated with
great interest. Theologians, scientists, patients, lawyers and other interested people are often at odds as to the ethical, legal
and social implications of this research. This activity is designed to help you become aware of the many questions being
debated and to enhance your understanding of the science behind the research.
TOPICS:
1. Transgenic Animals
2. Transgenic Plants
3. Designer Genes
SCENARIO: After reading your scenario, you are ready to begin your research.
POSITION/Argumentative PAPER: Your paper must contain the following SEVEN Paragraphs.
1. TITLE PAGE
2. P1 INTRODUCTION/THESIS PARAGRAPH The introduction should grab the reader's attention,
set up the issue, and include your thesis statement. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a
concise sentence that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. Your intro is merely a buildup
of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument.
3. P2 HISTORY/TOPIC BACKGROUND (scientists, dates, procedures, patients, locations, etc.)
4. P3 SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES/METHODS/TESTS (equipment, procedures, alternative scientific
methods?, DRAWINGS or VISUALS showing the technique(s) involved)
5. P4 AND P5 DILEMMA BOTH SIDES OF THE DILEMMA MUST BE PRESENTED. Pros and
cons of the argument need to be discussed and explained.
6. P6 PERSONAL VIEW How do you feel about the dilemma? TAKE A POSITION! You have
researched the information, and it's time to make your position known. Explain in detail why you feel
the way you do. This is a very important part of your paper. References to your bibliography should be
found throughout this section.
7. P7 CONCLUSION Summarize thesis. Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up
sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic,
or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her
know exactly what.
8. WORKS CITED A minimum of 5 references are required. Use MLA style.
PREWRITE DUE DATE: ________________________
Rough Draft DUE DATE: ________________________
FINAL COPY DUE DATE: ______________________
Links for Writing Help and MLA style
http://www1.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/ - 10 easy steps to writing an essay
http://easybib.com/ - Free Bibliography Maker- MLA Style
Modified from APEX BIOLOGY Judy Ruppert Research/Position Paper Walter Johnson High School
SCENARIO 1: Transgenic Animals
On a farm in Blacksburg, Virgina there is a Holstein cow named Rosie. Rosie is
no ordinary cow, for she carries in billions of cells of her body copies of a human gene.
In her milk, she produces a protein that's normally made only by the human body. She
was designed to be a factory, to mass-produce the protein, which can be useful in making
drugs.
Up the hill from Rosie live some pigs. Like pigs anywhere, they stink. But three
of them are special, containing genetic modifications that may make their organs a bit
more like those of human beings. Someday, the people who run this place envision
growing thousands of genetically modified pigs whose lives would be sacrificed so that
their hearts and kidneys could be transplanted into sick people. If it works, this technique
would solve the shortage of organs for transplant, saving lives.
Sheep are being genetically altered as a potential treatment for cystic fibrosis, and
to produce drugs needed by man. All kids of mammals are now being tested to see the
possibility of using them to better the human condition. Just as we get milk, food, and
other products from these animals, we can now use them to get other beneficial products
that we may need.
Links for Research
1. http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicAnimals.html - Transgenic
Animals definition and examples
2. http://dsc.discovery.com/technology/tech-10/genetic-engineering/10-transgenic-animals.html Slideshow of Famous Transgenic Animals
3. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-organisms-pros-and-cons.html - Pros and Cons
4. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/margawati.html - Actionbioscience Article
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_organism - Genetically Modified Organisms Wiki:
see controversy
6. http://people.ucalgary.ca/~browder/transgenic.html - Transgenic Animals Facts: scroll through page
to find good stuff
7. http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm - Advantages and Disadvantages
8. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering – Genetic Engineering Definition and Info
9. http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/gedanger.htm - Genetic Engineering Info
10. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-engineering.html - Pros and Cons
SCENARIO 2: Transgenic Plants
The Congressional Committee on Farming investigates all farming practices. Dr.
Bernice Bacardi has come before this committee to gain permission for her research lab
to begin field testing of her research team's genetically engineered agricultural crops. Dr.
Bacardi stands nervously before the Congressional Committee on Farming to address
concerns.
"It seems to me that we're trying to reinvent plants," sputtered committee
chairman, Representative Jeeter.
"That's not exactly true sir," replied Dr. Bacardi. "What we're actually trying to
do is speed up the development of improvements in plants. My research team has
designed a process for isolating, removing, and reinserting genes for desirable genetic
traits in plants. We look for characteristics that would be beneficial to food crops; for
example, a drought resistant gene, or a fruit size factor might be chosen. Maybe a frost
resistant gene can be used. Years ago it would have taken a decade or two of research
and development to engineer one plant with a certain set of desirable characteristics.
Today we can do this in one generation using gene insertion techniques."
"Okay, so you're speeding up the evolution of these new plants," said Mr. Jeeter.
"Maybe caution is a better path here. What if you make a mistake and engineer the
wrong gene? What if the right gene gets into the wrong plant? I can envision a whole lot
of upset people out there if this starts going haywire!"
Links For Research
1. http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicPlants.html - Transgenic Plants
Definition and Facts
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenic_plants - Genetically Modified Plant Wiki
3. http://www.answers.com/topic/transgenic-plant - Questions and Answers about Transgenic Plants
4. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/genetically-modified-organisms-pros-and-cons.html - Pros and Cons
5. http://www.maizecdna.org/outreach/tpe.html - Pros and Cons
6. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/margawati.html - Actionbioscience Article
7. http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm - Advantages and Disadvantages
8. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering – Genetic Engineering Definition and Info
9. http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/GEessays/gedanger.htm - Genetic Engineering Info
10. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-genetic-engineering.html - Pros and Cons
SCENARIO 3: Designer Genes
Wilson and Kate have decided to have a baby. They are discussing the
questionnaire that Kate received from the reproductive technology firm, "Select a Kid."
“Here's the chance I've been waiting for. I can have a son!" said Kate. "But I
always wanted to have a daughter," exclaimed Wilson.
"I want him to be muscular," she said. "That's not important," he said. "I want
my child to be gifted artistically."
Kate said, "Let's stop arguing and look at all of the other options available.
There's height, hair color, eye color, body shape, IQ, physical abilities, talents. What
kind of baby should we have?"
Links for Research
1. http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetic-inequality-human-genetic-engineering-768 Designer Genes Facts and Info
2. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/designer+gene – Designer Gene Definition
3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering – Genetic Engineering Definition and Info
4. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html - Pros and Cons of Designer
Babies
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_baby - Designer Baby Wiki
6. http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/22210.aspx - Pros and Cons of Genetic
Engineering in Humans
7. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html - Designer Babies Actionbioscience
Name:
BIOETHICAL DILEMMA
Research/Argumentative Essay
Quality
P1 INTRODUCTION
Strongest:

Grabs reader’s
attention

Clear definition of
problem in thesis
statement
STRONG
Adequate:

States the thesis, but
problem not completely
clear
Weakest:

Thesis and/or problem
are unclear or not
related to topic.
ADEQUATE
WEAK
STRONG
ADEQUATE
WEAK
STRONG
ADEQUATE
WEAK
P5 CON ARGUMENT
STRONG
ADEQUATE
WEAK
P6 PERSONAL VIEW
STRONG
ADEQUATE
WEAK
P7 CONCLUSION

Conclusion
summarizes main
topics without repeating
sentences.
Includes a memorable
thought, suggestion for
change, call to action,
or interesting quote.
Citations included
5 sources listed on
Works Cited page in
MLA format
Addresses all aspects
of prompt.
Makes a convincing
point
Includes rich
supporting details
Addresses the best
arguments of the
opposition
Includes good quotes
from sources and
writer’s research

Summarizes main
topics, but is repetitive
No concluding
memorable thought
included.

Some Sources Cited,
but not in MLA format
Less than 5 sources

No Sources Cited
______/5
Paper is mostly
focused on prompt
Attempts to make a
point
Some supporting
details
Addresses some of
the best arguments of
the opposition
Includes some good
quotes from sources
and writer’s research


Paper is not focused
Point uncertain
______/10

Logical progression of
ideas
Clear, easy, smooth
flow throughout essay.
The reader does not
get confused
Shows relevant and
accurate understanding
of information
Demonstrates
significant reflection &
awareness.

Progression of idea is
sometimes awkward,
but moves reader
through text.
Lacks smooth
transitions
Surface
understanding, minor
errors in explanation
Some reflection &
awareness

2 errors per page
Repeats sentence
form


Few or irrelevant
supporting details
Addresses few or
none of the best
arguments of the
opposition
Includes no quotes
from sources and
writer’s research
Arrangement of essay
is unclear and illogical,
lacking a sense of
direction.
The reader is
generally confused
Understanding of
content is weak
Content is irrelevant,
inappropriate or
inaccurate.
Minimal or no
reflection or insight
3+ errors per page
Boring sentence form
P2 HISTORY/TOPIC
BACKGROUND
P3 SCIENTIFIC
TECHNIQUES
P4 PRO ARGUMENT

WORKS CITED
FOCUS




DEVELOPMENT/
INFORMATION



ORGANIZATION



CONTENT
UNDERSTANDING/DEPTH













CONVENTIONS
Grammar/Spelling/Usage


0-1 errors per page
Varies sentence form


PRESENTATION


Neatly typed
Professional format

Comments:
Readable
POINTS
______/10
______/5
______/5
______/5
______/5
______/5
Conclusion is missing
or not adequate.
______/10








Unattractive
Unreadable
______/10
______/10
______/10
______/5
______/5
TOTAL POINTS
____/100