Summary
In this lesson, students will research the concepts of genetic discrimination and discuss the ethics involved. Then, students will use the information to make an informed decision about genetic science and its role in today’s society.
Essential Question(s)
Overarching: Is everything that is legally acceptable always ethically acceptable? Topical: What are the ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic information?
Snapshot
Engage
Students discuss what it means to be human.
Explore
Students work in groups and act as either a prosecution team or defense team. Students rotate through stations to gather research about genetically modified organisms.
Explain
Students prepare their opening and closing statements, including claims and citing evidence, as well as questions for the opposition.
Extend
Students debate the pros, cons, and ethical concerns regarding genetic discrimination by writing and presenting claims supported by evidence. Students should follow debate/mock court protocol.
Evaluate
Students not involved in the debate actively listen to the “court proceedings” as members of the jury. Students use the provided analysis document to “judge” the winner of the case for each group.
Materials
Speakers
Podcast link (can be streamed or downloaded): “Mutant Rights”
Evidence Collection Form (attached)
Preparation Notes Document (attached)
Jury Case Analysis Document (attached)
Articles that cover topics such as genetic engineering, the human genome project, genetic defects, genetic diseases, etc. (see the Explore section for possible links)
Public Debate Refresher Notes (see the Extend section for more information and possible links)
Engage
Begin by playing the first 4:18 seconds of the Radiolab podcast, “Mutant Rights.” Pause the podcast and pose this question: “What does it mean to be human?”
Explore
Inform students that they will be taking part in a “mock trial” in which they will be debating the issue of genetic engineering and the ethics involved. Use the following debate format. Show students the debate format so they can plan and be familiar with how the debate will proceed:
Opening Statement (Affirmative: 1 minute)
Opening Statement (Negative: 1 minute)
Rebuttal (Negative: 1 minute)
Rebuttal (Affirmative: 1 minute)
Cross Examination (Affirmative: 2-3 minutes)
Cross Examination (Negative: 2-3 minutes)
Second Rebuttal, or Second Statement (Negative: 1 minute)
Second Rebuttal, or Second Statement (Affirmative: 1 minute)
Closing Statement (Negative: 1 minute)
Closing Statement (Affirmative: 1 minute)
Audience Questions (Optional: 2-5 minutes. Can be moved before Closing Statements.)
You will act as moderator during the debates to keep students confined to the time limits set. Explain to students the format and the time allotted for each portion of the debate. You may want to show them sample debates via video clips to prepare them to review this.
Here is a two-part tutorial for public debate:
During the debate the rest of the class will serve as the jury and will evaluate the arguments based on the rubric you will hand out.
Place students into groups of 4-5. Assign half of the groups to serve as prosecution teams and the other half to serve as defense teams on the issue. Tell students they will be conducting research to use in their debate. They need to locate and cite evidence from a range of sources to support their conclusions. (This will give them a perspective lens with which to analyze the information they will be reviewing.)
Assign one prosecution and defense team to each of the following topics or similar topics related to ethics in genetics:
Human Genome Project and Genetic Discrimination
Mutations, Genetics, and Genetic Discrimination
Students will be rotating through all the stations to gain a broad perspective on the assigned topic and to be able to focus on their concentrated area of research. Each station will have multiple sources such as a: news article, research paper, podcast, or some other piece of information regarding genetic information and discrimination. At each station there will be information presented for both sides of the debate, that is, either supports or opposes.
Hand out the Evidence Collection Form for students to use during their research. You will need to prepare the stations in advance of the class. Students will spend about 15 minutes at each station. Be sure to monitor students’ progress. Stations could include articles or resources similar to those listed below.
Explain
Have students work with their team to prepare for the presentation of the case. Hand out the Case Preparation Notes Student Handout (see Teacher Instructions and Guidelines are included on the Case Preparation Notes Teacher Handout).
Have students prepare their opening and closing statements as well as constructing an opening and closing statement for the opposition. They will use the statement they prepared for the opposition to help prepare and anticipate the argument that will be constructed against them.
Have students list the 5 main points for their argument, including claims and citing evidence, as well as the opposition’s argument. Students will also need to begin to compose a rebuttal to the opposition’s argument and construct questions they will use during the debate to either strengthen their argument or weaken the opposition’s argument.
Extend
Have students present their arguments for their case. Use the debate format outlined in the Explore section.
You will need to act as moderator during the debates keeping students confined to the time limits set. Explain to students the format and the time allotted for each portion of the debate. During the debate the rest of the class will serve as the jury and will evaluate the arguments based on the rubric you will hand out.
Evaluate
Inform the class that as the debates are occurring groups not actively debating will serve as jury members who will be evaluating the arguments presented and deciding which is the winning team. Hand out the Case Evaluation Rubric and Form. Instruct students as to how they should evaluate the arguments based on the information presented in the rubric.
Before each debate, name the debate as Case #1 or Case #2, etc. Have students fill out the evaluation form appropriately. At the end of each debate you may take a poll of the class to get the total number of points awarded to each team and to determine the winner of each debate. Tell students to take notes as they listen to the debates to support the score they give each debate team and to form questions they will ask at the end of the debate.
Have students answer the essential questions in light of what they know now.
Overarching: Is everything that is legally acceptable always ethically acceptable?
Topical: What are the ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic information?
At the end of the lesson, have students turn in their response to the essential questions, the evaluation forms, the evidence collection handout, and the Case Preparation Notes.
Resources
ColumbiaYFD. (2013, April 16). YFD mock debate tutorial part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN6Z1WKVh8g
ColumbiaYFD. (2013, April 16). YFD mock debate tutorial part 2 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeposE11Irg
Radiolab. (2011, December 26). Mutant rights [Podcast episode]. https://www.radiolab.org/episodes/177199-mutant-rights