As we are finishing up our unit on molecular genetics, our ethics project is coming up. Last year I had them write a position paper on GMOs, but there are so many genetic advances, I didn't want to limit them. Several advances have been making the news from CRISPER-Cas 9 to the three parent baby (mitochondrial transfer).
Going along with the seminar our school just had on making assignments relevant to students and teaching them skills that they will have even after they have forgotten the content of the class, I decided to change the assignment. Now they will have more choice. Students may chose what genetic advance they want to talk about and may also chose how they will present their views. It won't be an informational report, but a report on what they think about these advances, what issues these advances bring up, and what role they can play in making their voice heard about those issues. As these "nearly adults" are about to be launched into the world, I hope they will feel empowered to make the world a better place.
Here's the project document for the students.
No comments:
Post a Comment