AP Biology – Spring 2015
Bioethics Research Paper and Presentation (worth the equivalent of two labs).
Bioethics is the study of the moral and ethical questions that relate to biology and medicine. For example,
“When does a human life begin?” “Who, if anybody, should have the power to end a human life?” “Should an
individual be able to patent genes?” Your assignment is to research one area of bioethics and write a research
paper.
Your paper should include the following information:
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A section introducing the bioethical question and containing scientific background information and a
historical perspective. The biological basis of the topic must be addressed and explained in this section. Be
specific, and discuss how the biotechnology works.
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The viewpoints about the bioethical issues with a substantive section explaining the various perspectives.
Discuss each viewpoint and describe the arguments supporting that viewpoint. Do not argue for any one
perspective, yet. (Make sure the citations are complete and correct).
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Take an ethical stand, and argue the ethical viewpoint constructively. Back your argument with ethics
supporting your viewpoint of the ethical use of this technology. Your argument should be scholarly, not
based on an emotional response. Cite any sources you use and base your response in ethics. Use third
person. The word ”I” should never appear in your paper.
Additional Requirements
A cover page with the title, your name, class period, and date submitted.
About 1800 to 2500 words to cover the topic. This works out to be about 6- 7 pages using a word processor’s (i.e.
Microsoft Word, iWorks Pages) default, 12-point font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.
Keep quotations to a minimum. More is not necessarily better. Although your paper should contain some
appropriately placed quotes, it should not consist entirely of someone else’s ideas or opinions.
Internal citations for quotes and paraphrasing throughout the paper, documented according to MLA format. See
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3mla.pdf for information on MLA format.
Use a minimum of six research sources.
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None may be from a general encyclopedia, or Wikipedia.org.
One must be from a printed source other than your textbook,
One from an open access Scientific Journal (See http://www.doaj.org/ for a listing of appropriate
journals),
The others may be from any of the above, or an appropriate internet site. You may have more than 6
references. Be careful about the sources you choose to use, some of them are not carefully edited or
contain false information.
Adapted from www.mariemontschools.org
Include a “Works Cited” (reference) page with references documented according to the MLA format. All “Works
Cited” references must have an internal citation in the body of the paper referring back to them. See
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3mla.pdf for information on MLA format.
Due Dates
Share your outline and paper with me as “Can edit” via Google Docs at pberry@tamdistrict.org
Research Paper Outline – due Thursday, May 28
Research Paper – due Thursday, June 4
Presentation – due Monday, 8/10 (senior trip) or Tuesday, 6/9
Scoring Scale for Research Paper
In addition to a Score 3.0 performance, the student:
Score 4.0
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Score 3.0
In addition to Score 2.0 performance, the student:
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Score 2.0
Thoroughly describes multiple perspectives of the bioethics issue
Effectively uses citations to enhance the readers understanding of the perspectives
Provides a scholarly argument, supported by citations, for or against the biotechnology
Creates a cohesive organization that establishes clear relationships among claims, evidence and
analysis
Maintains formal style that shows clear understanding of purpose, audience and discipline
Makes no errors
Provides scientific background sufficient for understanding how the biotechnology works
Provides historical perspective on the bioethics issue
Describes multiple perspectives on the bioethics issue
Maintains an objective tone while describing different perspectives
Maintains appropriate tone for purpose and audience
Makes few errors
Presents their research on 6/10 or 6/11
The student:
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Clearly defines the bioethical question
Explains how the biotechnology works
Identifies multiple perspectives on the bioethical issue
Takes a ethical stand on the use of the biotechnology
Uses quoted evidence to support claims
Uses a minimum of 6 research sources
Uses MLA to cite sources internally and in Works Cited page
Includes a Cover Page
Provides a research paper that is1800 to 2500 words in length
Develops a logical organization
Uses clear, correct sentences
Spells correctly
Makes some errors
Submits an outline
Score 1.0
The student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler requirements and some of the more
complex requirements.
Score 0
The student demonstrates little understanding of the bioethical topic.
Adapted from www.mariemontschools.org
Before picking a topic ask yourself the following:
What are the issues behind this topic?
Why do we have the problem?
What is the technology/science?
How does it work?
What are some approaches to understanding/solving the problem?
Is it safe/tested?
Then:
What are the ethical questions that arise from these issues?
Should we use it/should it be done? How? Why?
What happens if we do/don’t?
After picking a topic:
Develop an understanding of the topic,
Form a question,
Decide what the future of the technology should be or be used for.
Possible Topics
1. Stem cells used in research
2. Responsibility and response to emerging diseases such as HIV, hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, avian flu, others.
3. Genetically modified bacteria--threat/promise
4. US response to non-endemic diseases (ex. malaria, polio, yellow fever,)
5. Shortage of organs for organ replacement
6. Patents on genes and gene products
7. Use of knowledge of a person’s genome (health care, jobs, etc)
8. Xenotransplantation
9. Needs of endangered animals vs. the needs of people
10. Cloning of extinct animals
11. Selection of a child’s genetic characteristics
12. Stem cell therapy to treat genetic diseases
13. Cloning technologies for infertile couples
14. Growth enhancements (as in growth hormones) for meat animals
15. Safety of new biotech (need to narrow down topic to a few specifics)
16. Environmental risks of biotechnology in agriculture
17. Biopharmaceuticals testing of animals
18. Experimental gene therapy use in humans
19. Frozen embryo ownership
20. Use of information from the Human Genome Research Project
21. Transgenics and evolution
22. Use of cells/tissues removed during surgical processes or after death
24. Use of biological agents in bio-terrorism
25. Irradiation of our food supply
26. Use of bioengineered (transgenic) crops to feed humans (safety)
27. Genetically altered fish as a protein source
28. Fish farming and its effect on the environment
29. DNA vaccines to control disease
Adapted from www.mariemontschools.org
30. Using anti-bacterials routinely for control of bacteria
31. Use of biotechnology to extend age in humans
32. Technology of maintaining life
33. Owner of scientific knowledge?
34. Responsibilities of scientists to the public
36. Global warming-and our response is?
38. Overfishing of oceanic resources- (Rise of the Slime)
39. Alternate fuel sources-biofuels
40. Alternate fuel sources-non-biological
41. “Green” transportation
42. Building "green"
43. Water: What is clean water? How much potable water do we have? What are the issues?
44. Public Health: Should it be mandatory to report infectious diseases?
45. Public Health: Should vaccines be mandatory? MMR, HPV, Flu, etc.
46. Public Health: Health Care reform (focus on the biology/ science and not the politics of this issue)
47. Euthanasia
Research Paper Outline – due Thursday, May 28
Use the skeleton below to develop your outline. Use sub bullets as needed and indicate the sources of your
scientific background information, historical perspective, arguments for and against the biotechnology, and for
your ethical stand.
Section 1
I.
Bioethical Question:
II.
Scientific Background:
III.
Historical Perspective:
Section 2
IV.
Arguments for the biotechnology:
V.
Arguments against the biotechnology:
Section 3
VI.
VII.
Ethical Stand Statement:
Your Arguments:
Works Cited:
Possible Sources
http://www.bioethics.org.au/index.html
http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/hot/Bioethics/bioeth.htm
http://bioethics.com/
http://www.bioethics.net/
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/bioethics/
Adapted from www.mariemontschools.org