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Bioethics in High Schools: Why go there?. Understand science in social context Develop character Encourage moral pluralism/tolerance through respectful debate Students are interested! Teachers are interested!. Some Issues that Hook Students. Gene Therapy Cloning Stem Cell Research
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Bioethics in High Schools: Why go there? • Understand science in social context • Develop character • Encourage moral pluralism/tolerance through respectful debate • Students are interested! • Teachers are interested!
Some Issues that Hook Students • Gene Therapy • Cloning • Stem Cell Research • Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Technology
Gene Therapy: Curriculum Integration Ideas • The scientific method and experimentation. • Basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology such as transcription and translation. • Basic virology. • Medical advances in treating disease. • Research regulations and public policy.
Gene Therapy: Key Moral Issues • Case Study: Gellsinger • Informed consent • Selection of subjects • Conflict of interest
ES Cell Research and Human Cloning: Curriculum Integration Ideas • Developmental/Reproductive Biology • Cell Biology • Social Studies and History • Theology Courses
ES Cell Research and Human Cloning: Key Moral Questions • Why does this research matter to us? • What is at stake? • When does one of us become one of us? • What’s in the dish? • Risks to identity?
GMO Technology: Curriculum Integration Ideas • Cell and molecular biology • Genetics • Health and nutrition • Ecology and environmental science • Basic patent law • Social justice themes
GMO Technology: Key Moral Questions • Case Studies: Chakrabarty, StarLink • Who owns life? • Environmental impact: Who’s responsible? • What about labels? • Terminator technology: Is it Just?
Why the Internet? • Over 73% of youth between 12-17 use the Internet. • 78% of online teens use the Internet for homework purposes. • 34% of teens download study-kits from online. • The Internet as primary tool for research.
Online Interaction • Instant messaging as mainstream communication. • “Ask-an-expert” site. • Live Help
Assigning Bioethics Homework: We’re here to Help • HelpLine • Content and online resources • Bioethics Fair • Outreach • Direct Communication via email and school visits
Penn High School Bioethics Helpline • Piloted in September 2001 • Interface: LivePerson and was developed by Penn staff • Tutors: Undergraduate and graduate students and Center staff • Chats: Provides one-on-one help to students with bioethics homework. • Content and Direction: Canned links, pushed pages, and standard forms • Operations: Nightly 7pm-11pm • Demo
Testimonials • “I love this live chat, it is the neatest way to get [the] info you need without having to look at a bunch of stuff you don’t need first.” • “…we need to have [bioethics] become our main unit of study not just a one time paper.” • “I hope that more teachers find out about this live bioethics Helpline because it is very useful”
High School Bioethics Web Fair and Exhibition • Evidence of interest, research potential • Published in AJOB • Happening again in Fall and Spring 2002-2003 • Web Fair as course final project.
Creating Bioethics Courses: We’re Here to Help • Partner schools • Web area • Consultation on course structure, curriculum, syllabi and assignments • Resources
Penn High School Bioethics Project: Year 2 • Teacher training and workshop: watch this space • Lesson plan help and on-line clearinghouse: send us your stuff! • More content: watch our website • Enhanced HelpLine to talk to leading bioethicists during class or lab: contact us to set up. • Bioethics Bowl
How To Contact Us • www.bioethics.org • www.highschoolbioethics.org • Dominic Sisti, MBe • Domsisti@bioethics.net • John Kwon, MSE • Jeontaik@mail.med.upenn.edu • Glenn McGee, PhD (Project director and Center Fellow) • Mcgee@mail.med.upenn.edu • Art Caplan, PhD (Project co-director and Director of Center) • caplan@mail.med.upenn.edu • University of Penn, Center for Bioethics • Center for Bioethics3401 Market St., Suite 320Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308Tel. (215) 898-7136Fax (215) 573-3036