Nifong's Science Blog

Designer Babies

2011-03-09T20:26:00.001-08:00

Possibilities of Gene Therapy and Related Technologies

Read the following articles regarding the issue of "designer babies." Complete your debate template and report in preparation for the class discussion. *You must comment on this post. Please keep your comments respectful and choose your words carefully.

Designer Babies: Ethical? Inevitable? http://www.livescience.com/culture/090111-designer-babies.html

Human Genome Project Website http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

Are “Designer Babies” on the Horizon? (Science Progress Blog) The media is abuzz with news of researchers at Cornell University successfully creating the first genetically engineered human embryo. The embryo was destroyed after five days, but critics argue that this is a first step towards “designer babies,” and that the scientists overstepped by making a decision on a controversial subject without consulting the public or opening the issue up for an informed discussion. In order to properly weigh the ethical issues, one relevant piece of information we must consider is the goal of the experiment and its projected benefits. The potential rewards of this work are immense, but we should not scoff at the possibility that this kind of research could ultimately lead to the technology for creating babies with preselected mental or physical traits. The scientists argue that the embryo they used was not viable—it had three sets of chromosomes rather than the normal two—and therefore could not have developed into a baby anyway. They also claim that since the research, focused on stem cells, was privately funded and passed their internal review board, they violated no federal regulations. The suggestion was even made that this did not constitute a huge technological advance because the technique is already commonly used for gene therapy. So was there anything ethically irresponsible about their experiment? And what can we conclude about this type of research in general? The scientists claim that their goal was to find out if genetic changes made to embryos can be passed on to daughter cells. Genetic modifications in an embryo are thought to be inheritable, whereas current gene therapy—genetic modification performed on people for disease treatment purposes—cannot be passed on to future generations. The potential benefits of heritable genetic modification are huge—for instance, individuals could potentially rid their offspring of a gene that would predispose them to breast cancer—but so are its potential abuses. We cannot assume without discussion that preselecting our offspring’s genetic makeup is not an undesirable outcome. Scientists constantly emphasize that we are still a long way away from children with preselected traits. But declining to regulate research that could lead us to a point where such choices are possible is troubling precisely because we cannot expect individual scientists to censor themselves based on a concern for societal consequences. This is arguably not their job. Remember division of labor and how it increases efficiency? Scientists have a mission to explore and pursue the most promising avenues of research within the bounds of government regulations. Policy makers and legislators have a mission to figure out where the lines ought to be drawn. Whether we like the idea of “designer babies” or not, their possibility would entail quite serious public and societal consequences. Decisions about the issue have to be made not simply at the level of individual scientists and research labs, but at the public, societal level, particularly given the extent of moral disagreements on the matter. As members of a recent AAAS panel on stem cell research have pointed out, the mere existence of moral controversy is not in itself sufficient to determine the ethical standing of an experiment or research direction. However, the existence of moral controversy mandates a public ethical review and a set of regulations consistent both with expert opinions and with social values. Slippery slope worries can be compelling in some cases, but not everything is a slippery slope. The mere fact that a particular type of research could lead to undesirable applications is not a good reason to ban the research if it also has sufficiently important good consequences. Instead, it is a good reason to ban the undesirable applications. The best way to avoid slippery slopes to bad outcomes is to have an informed, democratic discussion that takes into account both expert opinions and social values. We need regulations because scientists and the general public need clarity about what they can and cannot do, a convincing rationale for permissions and restrictions, and a voice in arriving at decisions with such important ramifications. Sirine Shebaya, Ph.D. is a Greenwall Fellow in Bioethics and Health Policy at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Posted by Sirine Shebaya May 15, 2008

To Clone or Not to Clone

2011-03-09T20:25:00.001-08:00

To Clone or Not to Clone

Read/search through the following website regarding the issue of cloning. Complete your debate template and report in preparation for the class discussion.
*You must comment on this post. Please keep your comments respectful and choose your words carefully.

Human Genome Project Information: Cloning
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml

Transgenic Organisms

2011-03-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Read the following articles regarding the issue of transgenic organisms. Complete your debate template and report in preparation for the class discussion. *You must comment on this post. Please keep your comments respectful and choose your words carefully.

Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/glenn.html#primer *Make sure to review throught the links at the bottom of the article for more information.

Human Genome Project Website: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml

The Lorax: Follow-Up

2010-11-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

1. What does the Once-ler represent? The Lorax? The thneed?
2. Which "cause" from the book has the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
3. What current real-world environmental issue is having the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
4. What are some solutions (big and small) to current environmental issues? How can you make a difference? What does it mean to be GREEN?

Your Footprint

2010-11-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

How big is your footprint?

In today's world, it is essential that humans take a look at how they impact the environment.
1. Describe 2 ways you have interacted, directly or indirectly, with the environment today. Explain if each interaction is positive or negative and provide evidence for your reasoning.
2. Are your interactions with the environment necessary? Why?
3. Respond to the following statement by answering strongly agree, agree ,neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree and explain your reasoning:
"When people decide to buy goods, they think about the effect it has on the environment."

Disaster Response

2010-09-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

1. During and following a disaster, who is responsible for maintaining human lives? Why do you think so?

2. If Wilmington, NC were in a state of disaster, would everyone be able to get to safety? What factors might affect the outcome of such a situation?

Global Warming Debate

2010-09-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

Global warming is a controversial topic. There are differing opinions on whether its happening at all, its effects, and if its human induced. Your job is to develop an opinion on the idea of global warming. You need to determine if you are a believer or a skeptic of global warming. To research your viewpoint, read the information on the following link. Explore the additional links at the bottom of the page.
http://www.pbs.org/now/science/climatedebate.html

You must include the following in your blog response:
1. Are you a skeptic or a believer?
2. Give at least 3 examples from the reading as evidence for your opinion.
3. Based on your research, what do you think will happen to the earth in the next 20 years?
4. Can humans effect the outcome of atmospheric processes? How? Why?

Uniformitarianism

2010-08-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

James Hutton is credited with the principle of uniformitarianism, the idea that the geologic processes of the Earth occur and will continue to occur at the same frequencies and magnitude thoughout time.

Answer the following questions:
1. How does this principle hold true throughout the history of the planet. Give some specific examples.
2. What does this imply about the future of the planet? Elaborate on your answer.

Introduction to Ethics in Genetics

2010-04-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

Guiding Questions
1. Just because we can do something, should we do it?
2. Are there certain situations where using genetic technology is right/wrong?
3. Can we ever be positive of all the side effects of cloning or other genetic technologies? Explain.

Basic Cloning Diagram: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/cloning.gif

"Cloned Beef: It May be What's for Dinner" Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003498256_clone28.html

"Having a Cow over Cloned Beef" MSN
http://www.cnbc.com/id/17030182/Having_A_Cow_Over_Cloned_Beef

"Cloned Milk and Meat: Where's the Beef?" Live Science
http://www.livescience.com/health/080109-animal-cloning.html

"Are we eating cloned meat?" Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=are-we-eating-cloned-meat

The Lorax: Follow-Up

2009-12-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

1. What does the Lorax symbolize? Once-ler? Thneed?
2. Which “cause” from the book has the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
3. What current real-world environmental issue is having the biggest effect on the environment? Justify your answer with 2-3 supporting details.
4. What are some solutions (big and small) to current environmental issues? How can you make a difference? What does it mean to be “GREEN?”

Will Sing for ATP!

2009-03-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

Check out these awesome songs about photosynthesis and cellular respiration.