Socratic Seminar / Fishbowl
SUMMARY
A Socratic Seminar is a dialogue between students discussing a topic. It gives students the chance to
think about ideas and practice the fine art of conversation and critical thinking. It promotes openmindedness and consideration of ideas, values, and issues.
We have been learning about the biology and techniques used in genetically engineering of organisms.
The applications we have discussed involve the modification of non-human organisms (plants, bacteria,
farm animals). Soon we will have our first Socratic Seminar in IB Biology in which we will focus on the
potential of genetic engineering of humans. The topic of this seminar will be:
ADVANCES IN GENETICS: Gene Therapy and Designer Babies
In order to prepare for this GRADED, IN-CLASS DISCUSSION, you will be assigned to read and make notes
from TWO articles.
1. The FIRST article should be a news article related to human gene therapy. You will be
responsible for independently finding a relevant article. Remember, gene therapy is the use of
DNA as a drug to treat disease by delivering a functional gene to replace a mutated gene.
Please find an article that is no more than 5 years old. Print the article and come to class on the
day of the seminar with a 3-5 sentence summary of the article written on the top of the printed
page.
2. The SECOND article will be one of the following are viewpoint essays about genetic engineering
of humans. You will be assigned one of the articles to read and make notes from on the Critical
Reasoning Analysis Sheet in your notes packet. Use the critical thinking elements to understand
the logic of the writer and evaluate ideas presented. In order to assure that each participant has
prepared adequately, the Analysis Sheet will be the “ticket” to participation in the seminar.
The seminar expectations are:
 Listen and respond to others with consideration and respect.
 Address comments to the group; no side conversations.
 Use sensitivity to take turns and not interrupt others; no need to raise hands.
 Do not hoard “air time.”
 Make sure that comments are relevant considering the “question on the table.”
 Refer to your particular article; avoid bringing external evidence into the conversation.
 Ask for clarification if confused.
 Listen carefully to what the last person said rather than trying to formulate what you
will say next.
 Talk to each other rather than the facilitator.
 "Paraphrase" essential elements of another's ideas before responding.
 Speak up so that all can hear you
 Use precise language vs. slang or overly technical terms
DURING THE SEMINAR:
In order to assure that all students actively participate, it will be necessary to divide the class into
smaller seminar groups using a “fishbowl” format. The class will be divided into halves; one half of the
class is in the “inner circle” facing each other, analyzing and discussing while the remainder of the class
is in the “outer circle” observing and listening.

Inner circle: You should actively participate in the discussion according to the seminar
expectations. If prompted, please rotate out of the discussion circle.

Outer circle: Your job is to listen and learn from the fishbowl students. While in the outer
circle, you will be required to take notes to track the overall conversation. During the course of
the fishbowl, observers in the outer circle are not allowed to speak. If you would like to make a
comment, you may rotate into the discussion by gently tapping the shoulder of a person in the
inner circle and quietly switching places with that person. Please avoid rotating with people
who recently entered the discussion or with people who have yet to have talked.
AFTER THE SEMINAR:
You will be assessed based on whether you:
 Came to the seminar prepared, having completed critical thinking analysis form and annotated
your article
 Actively participated in the discussion, as scored using the Seminar Scoring Rubric.
 Complete the note taking page during the seminar
If you are absent on the day of the seminar, please write a two page response to
the focus questions based on the information within your reading.
The prompting questions to stimulate discussion will be:
 What are the risks of gene therapy and designer babies? What are the benefits? Who
will benefit? Who will suffer? Do the benefits out way the risks?
 How could gene therapy and designer babies affect your future?
 How would gene therapy and designer babies affect global sustainability?
 How would gene therapy and designer babies affect the earth’s carrying capacity?
 What do you predict for the future of gene therapy and designer babies?
Article 2 Links:
1. The Public Should Oppose Designer Baby Technology
2. From Regenerative Medicine to Human Design: What Are We Really Afraid Of?
3. The Designer Baby Business Violates Christian Principles
4. So-Called Designer Baby Technology Can Exemplify Christian Principles
5. A Big Step Toward "Designer Babies"—and Big Questions
6. OK to tinker with DNA?
7. The rights and wrongs of designer humans
8. Preface to "Should People Be Free to Pursue Genetic Enhancement?"
9. Preface to "Genetic Enhancement of Human Abilities"
10. Proposed Treatment To Fix Genetic Diseases Raises Ethical Issues
11. Genetically Engineering a 'Perfect' Baby
12. Enhancing Humans Through Science is Beneficial
13. Humans Have a Right to be Born Without Genetic Manipulation
14. Human Genetic Engineering Should be Allowed
15. Regulation of reproduction will be necessary to limit genetic enhancement
16. Genetic enhancement should be left to personal choice
17. The genetic enhancement of children should be tolerated
18. The genetic enhancement of children should be opposed
19. Biological and Genetic Human Enhancement will Improve Human Life
20. Genetically Enhancing Children Violates Human Rights
21. Gene therapy may not be beneficial to society
22. Genetic engineering is natural and should be pursued
23. Genetic engineering is not unethical
24. Human Germ Line Engineering is Unethical
25. Genetic Enhancement is too unlikely to worry about
26. Human genetic enhancement is unnecessary
27. Genetic enhancement is ethical for adults but not children
28. Genetic enhancement can improve humanity
29. Concerns about biotechnology altering human nature are groundless
30. Genetically enhancing humans is ethical
31. Human genetic enhancement will benefit humanity